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Articles 1 - 30 of 58
Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education
Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer
Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
"Abstract This research seeks to determine if children can develop self-regulation through games and activities in early childhood. This research was completed over six weeks in a classroom of three- to six-year-old students in a Montessori school. The researcher presented weekly games to the students to develop self-regulation skills such as listening, following directions, and body awareness. The researcher completed student surveys using qualitative and quantitative data from teacher observations to support their findings. The research found that games and activities can develop self-regulation skills in young children, lead to positive self-regulation behavior, decrease negative regulation skills, and increase self-awareness."
Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell
Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research paper investigates the integration of AI-powered tools, specifically ChatGPT, to develop individualized lesson plans with the aim of alleviating teacher stress and reducing workload. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks such as Self-Efficacy Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study explores the potential of AI technology to enhance classroom experiences. The research questions addressed in this study include 1) to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT in a classroom setting and 2) to assess whether integrating ChatGPT into a Montessori classroom can positively impact student and teacher learning. Qualitative data was collected over a five-week intervention …
The Effects Of Work Plans On Independence In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Cynthia Narine
The Effects Of Work Plans On Independence In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Cynthia Narine
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project aimed to examine the effects introducing picture-based work plans would have on independence in a Primary Montessori classroom. The intervention took place over seven weeks and involved a middle-class suburban classroom with 25 children ages three to six-years old. Data was collected through the use of tally sheets which recorded the number of times children asked for suggestions; tables which recorded the number of children engaged in meaningful work; an observation log for observations taken globally; and a field journal which recorded the researcher’s thoughts, questions, and other observations at the time. The data showed a …
Increasing Concentration Through Multistep Practical Life Works In A Montessori 2-6 Classroom, Gay Luise
Increasing Concentration Through Multistep Practical Life Works In A Montessori 2-6 Classroom, Gay Luise
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
"This intervention was intended to combat apathy and disengagement in a preschool Montessori classroom. Four traditional Practical Life tasks were introduced to 15 students, dusting the shelves, sweeping the floor, carpet sweeping, and mopping the floor. These tasks required many different types of movement to complete. The intention was to test Dr. Montessori’s assertions that movement is essential for early brain development. The research took place in an urban Montessori and included 15 participants. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected over a four-week period. At the end of the intervention, findings indicated that their ability to concentrate increased after …
The Effects Of Music And Movement On Learning Sight Words, Khou Moua
The Effects Of Music And Movement On Learning Sight Words, Khou Moua
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research aimed to evaluate the effects of music and movement on learning sight words. This study occurred in a public Montessori classroom in a metropolitan area in Minnesota. There were 19 students, ages 4-6, and 10 targeted sight words. Students viewed Jan Richardson and Jack Hartmann’s Sight Word Music videos during the 6-week intervention. In each video, students were encouraged to dance, move, sing, and follow the instructions of the musician. Baseline and post-assessment data, student attitude surveys, video observations, and student activity worksheets were collected and evaluated from 10 kindergarten students. Quantitative data revealed increased student proficiency …
The Effectiveness Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons In A Montessori Environment, Megan Green
The Effectiveness Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons In A Montessori Environment, Megan Green
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study explored the effectiveness of grace and courtesy lessons in teaching a specific set of social skills to young children as well as how this approach impacts children’s ability to navigate related social situations successfully and independently. Research took place over seven weeks in a Montessori primary environment, comprised of 26 children aged 33 months to six years of age. The school is located in an urban, low socioeconomic area and is a hybrid private early childcare center and K-6 charter school. Research data was gathered in the form of field journal notes to record the presenter’s general thoughts …
The Effectiveness Of Roleplaying In Teaching Preschoolers Social Skills, Qi Pan
The Effectiveness Of Roleplaying In Teaching Preschoolers Social Skills, Qi Pan
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of role-play as a means of enhancing the social skills of preschool students in a Montessori setting. A total of 37 children between the ages of two and a half to six years who participated in a five week study. The interventions were conducted once a week for four weeks, during which children took turns participating in simulated scenarios that mirrored their everyday experiences. After the role-play presentation, assessments and group discussions were conducted to evaluate the children's comprehension. The research data was gathered before, during and after the interventions. The researcher …
Montessori Parent Education: Supporting Early Childhood Independence Through Social-Emotional Learning, Gloria Boesenberg
Montessori Parent Education: Supporting Early Childhood Independence Through Social-Emotional Learning, Gloria Boesenberg
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project evaluated how a one-time parent education session focused on emotional coaching and social-emotional learning affected children’s independence in a small, private Montessori preschool. During the five-week study, children’s task independence and self-management at home and school were assessed by parents and teacher, respectively. Parents reported greater confidence in supporting children’s independence and emotion regulation following the intervention. Both task independence and self-management levels were high at school. While task independence at school did not increase due to parent education, task independence increased at home. There was a trend toward increased self-management at home following intervention, and …
The Influence Of Yoga And Meditation On Intrinsic Motivation In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Laviolette
The Influence Of Yoga And Meditation On Intrinsic Motivation In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Laviolette
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
"The objective of this action research was to see if daily voluntary yoga and meditation influence intrinsic motivation in a 3-6-year-old Montessori classroom. The time frame of this study was over six weeks in the beginning of the school year at an urban public Montessori school. The children who participated in the study were eighteen 3-6-year-old students. The experiment included using two apps, one for meditation and one for yoga, every morning for forty-five minutes. Children were welcomed to join when they were ready and leave when they felt refreshed. Some positive effects of our research were an increase in …
Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis
Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Children are at risk of becoming adults who are unable to live, work and thrive together within communities across the United States of America due to lack of respect for themselves, other humans and things in the world which goes along with social courtesies. The researcher was an early childhood education teacher who holds a Montessori certification. For six weeks, the participants in the study were able to focus on Grace and Courtesy lessons in which they participated by observing the teacher modeling care of self, care of others, and care of things with careful attention with, mindful movement, and …
Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres
Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research aimed to determine if an equity audit of the Montessori social studies curriculum and learning about the researcher’s culture impacted professional self-efficacy and resilience. This six-week intervention and study was a self-study through daily regimented activities. Three weeks were used to learn more about the researcher’s own culture and history. Three additional weeks were dedicated to the equity audit process, where the researcher revised original lessons or created new, culturally sustaining lessons to augment the curriculum. The data collected was completed daily using four tools: an attitude scale, a guided questionnaire, a reflective journal, and finally during …
Improving Student Concentration Through Caregiver Education, Arianna Fearing
Improving Student Concentration Through Caregiver Education, Arianna Fearing
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research was conducted in a primary classroom at a Montessori school. Using caregiver education that focused on the importance of limiting screen time, it aimed to increase student concentration during the work cycles. The research collected data through pre and post caregiver attitude scales and questionnaires as well as concentration and observation logs during the morning work cycles. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the data revealed a successful intervention with an increase in student concentration. This study can serve as a framework for future research projects that look at how caregiver education, focusing on different topics, …
The Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds
The Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project was completed to test the effects of a culturally diverse art program on early childhood students’ cultural competency. The setting was a Montessori early childhood classroom of 22 children. There were two Asian students, one African American student, and 19 Caucasian students. Data were collected using a student conference form, self-portrait rubric, and tally sheets - continent symbol matching, group discussions and art activities. A group presentation took place each week about an artist from one the six inhabited continents which included a biography and examples of their artwork. Following the presentation an art activity was …
What Evidence Of Change Emerges When Students With Behavioral And Learning Challenges Are Placed In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment In Rural China?, Jiao J. Zhang
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Under current circumstances, educational issues such as the achievement gap, non-cognitive development, Executive Function, and students with challenging behaviors impact day-to-day classroom practices and fundamentally reshape the results of education. The purpose of this research was to utilize the Montessori environment and principles, as well as the “normalization” approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, to help students with behavioral and learning challenges find the balance of their mental developmental processes and maximize their academic achievement at the same time. This action research conducted focused-group case studies of the Montessori Normalization process for children possessing behavioral and learning challenges at a …
The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn
The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study examines the effect of combining vigorous exercise with cognitively engaging games on children’s executive functioning skills such as self-direction, engagement, and focus. Over four weeks, the research took place in a Montessori early childhood classroom with 17 children ages 2.6 to 6. The four-week study included a one-week baseline week to collect initial data on the capabilities of self-direction and comprehensive data on energy levels and engagement. The children participated in a 14-minute movement activity with 7 minutes of vigorous exercise and 7 minutes of cognitive-engaging games. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative data tools to examine …
The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle
The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to decide if conducting guided reading instruction three times a week in a primary Montessori classroom would make an impact on reading levels among kindergarten students. The research took place over six weeks in a public Montessori school. The school is a Title One school located in a rural area of South Carolina. The population who participated in the study were 26 kindergarten students aged five to six from three different classrooms. Our intervention included using a variety of reading strategies such as pointing to each word, using picture clues, sounding out words, …
Sustaining Teacher Resilience For Montessori Education, Rebecca Britt
Sustaining Teacher Resilience For Montessori Education, Rebecca Britt
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research self-study was to determine the effects of a sustainable self-care practice on the resilience of an unemployed, mid-career Montessori early childhood teacher. This 4-week intervention consisted of twenty 20-minute sessions with meditation, yoga, and/or inspirational readings. Data was measured using a pre- and post-resilience survey, a daily adjective checklist, and a daily reflective journal. An increase in resilience was demonstrated by the resilience survey and self-assessed in journal entries, suggesting that taking time each day for personal self-care can positively impact resilience. Further research should include a larger and diverse study group of full-time …
"Developing Creative Thinking With Intentional Teaching Practices In Academic Subjects For Early Childhood Classrooms", Rebecca Appleby
"Developing Creative Thinking With Intentional Teaching Practices In Academic Subjects For Early Childhood Classrooms", Rebecca Appleby
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research was conducted in an early childhood Montessori Primary classroom using intentional teaching practices with core curriculum materials to engage students in creative thinking. In the form of questions or suggestions, an open-ended inquiry was given to the ten participants, aged three to six years old, as they worked with Montessori materials in academic areas, including science, math, and language. The research utilized mixed methods of collection in the forms of quantitative and qualitative data and demonstrated successful intervention with a steady increase in work times of the students. A longitudinal study would contribute to this theory and …
Spanish Vocabulary Acquisition And Implementation: The Effect In A Mixed-Aged Montessori Primary Classroom, Nadhira Hathotuwegama
Spanish Vocabulary Acquisition And Implementation: The Effect In A Mixed-Aged Montessori Primary Classroom, Nadhira Hathotuwegama
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project studied the effects of introducing Spanish vocabulary words to a mixed-ages Montessori primary classroom on Spanish vocabulary acquisition and implementation. Spanish vocabulary words were presented in group lessons in half-hour intervals twice a week for four weeks using flashcards. There were three sets of cards –color, fruit, and grace and courtesy. Lessons were given in the Montessori three-period lesson format. Data collection tools provided data that supported successful results with a steady increase in Spanish vocabulary acquisition and implementation. At the conclusion of the study, future research could explore the use of real objects, using extensions …
The Effects Of Book Workshops On Emergent Reading Skills In Montessori Early Childhood, Antonia Rebori
The Effects Of Book Workshops On Emergent Reading Skills In Montessori Early Childhood, Antonia Rebori
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research study was to increase preliteracy skills, confidence, and interest in reading in a Montessori early childhood environment through a reading workshop model. Given the pressure on teachers to create stronger readers at younger ages, this work discusses developmentally appropriate language tasks for children ages three- to six-years-old using the Montessori method and emergent literacy theory frameworks. Research suggests children who exhibit confidence and interest in reading develop strong preliteracy skills. These factors predict capable and active readers. For six weeks, a Montessori early childhood classroom of 14 students and three adult guides participated in …
Literacy Approaches In Montessori 3-6: An Action Research Project, Margaret Beagle
Literacy Approaches In Montessori 3-6: An Action Research Project, Margaret Beagle
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research study was to examine connections between the early introduction of Montessori phonograms and increased student-led writing with the Movable Alphabet. This paper discusses the politics of literacy instruction and common literacy approaches used in Montessori early childhood settings, and examines best literacy practices for early childhood students. The study gathered data from Montessori early childhood educators and 19 students in a Montessori early childhood classroom. The classroom data was collected over four weeks, introducing phonograms alongside individual Sandpaper Letters. Children were then given the choice between using objects to guide their writing with the Movable …
Teaching Peace: The Effects Of Concentrated Interaction With Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias Media On A Montessori Guide’S Practice, Sarah Streyle
Teaching Peace: The Effects Of Concentrated Interaction With Anti-Racist/Anti-Bias Media On A Montessori Guide’S Practice, Sarah Streyle
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this self-study was to examine the effects of concentrated interaction with anti-bias/anti-racist media on a Montessori guide’s practice. It was conducted over a total of six weeks. The intervention included a pre- and post- survey of understanding, nightly media interactions, daily reflection journaling, daily tallies of anti-bias/anti-racist thoughts during the school day, and a daily confidence scale to measure the participant’s confidence to integrate anti-bias/anti-racist concepts into her teaching practice. The study was completed at a private Montessori school in a medium-sized midwestern town, with an early childhood classroom of fifteen three- to five-year-old students of diverse …
The Impacts Of A Revised Handwriting Curriculum On Independent Letter Formation And Motivation In A Montessori 3-6 Classroom, Rebecca Junnila Baldini
The Impacts Of A Revised Handwriting Curriculum On Independent Letter Formation And Motivation In A Montessori 3-6 Classroom, Rebecca Junnila Baldini
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research project was to observe the impacts of a revised handwriting curriculum on motivation for handwriting and independent letter formation in a Montessori 3-6 classroom. Participants in the four-week study included eight students aged 3.6 to 5.9 in a private Montessori school located in a small New England college town. The revised curriculum utilized Orton-Gillingham sequencing, plus new handwriting materials and opportunities. Data sources included a daily tally sheet to track handwriting work, daily writing samples, student interviews, and lesson plan/reflection sheets. Data showed that the average daily participation rate for all optional handwriting work …
The Effects Of Earth-Conscious Art Materials On Early Childhood Montessori Students’ Environmental Awareness, Danni Wei
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project investigates the effect of providing earth-conscious materials in the art curriculum on early childhood Montessori students' environmental awareness. The participants for this study were seven preschool students at a private, home-based Montessori school in the urban Western United States. The research design was qualitative and quantitative, utilizing field notes, observational notes, behavioral tally sheets, and group conversational questionnaires to gather information on students' environmental awareness. The students' mean eco-affinity responses increased by 16%, while their mean environmental awareness responses increased by 23%. The frequency of material usage positively correlated with the frequency of environmental actions. The …
Witnessing The Unlimited Potential Of Children Being Peaceful: Impact Of Proactive Restorative Circle Practice On Early Childhood Students In A Montessori Setting, Maya Soriano
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to study the effects that daily proactive restorative circle practice (PRCP) had on speaking skills, listening, and positive classroom culture amongst Montessori Children's House students. The research took place over a four week period of time in a two way immersion Children's House in a Montessori public charter school in the Midwest. The population included 8 students ages 4-5.5 years. Students participated in a daily proactive restorative circle each afternoon. The researcher also observed students during lunch to collect data on any influence the PRCP had outside of circle time. Data was collected …
The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons On Self-Regulation In A Toddler Montessori Environment, Catherine S. T. Greene
The Impact Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons On Self-Regulation In A Toddler Montessori Environment, Catherine S. T. Greene
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The skills associated with self-regulation begin in toddlerhood. This action research study was designed to assess the impact of Grace and Courtesy lessons on toddler behavior. Students participated in lessons on how to greet a friend, how to ask for a turn and how to express affection. The study took place in a Montessori toddler classroom of 14 children, aged 26-36 months old. The classroom was part of a half-day Montessori preschool located in the South Eastern United States. I used field notes and tally marks to observe behavior in the classroom. Observations were done daily, and the data collection …
The Impact Of A Social Justice-Oriented Mindfulness Practice On The Self-Efficacy Of An Early Childhood Montessori Teacher, Quiana Myers-Vandrovec
The Impact Of A Social Justice-Oriented Mindfulness Practice On The Self-Efficacy Of An Early Childhood Montessori Teacher, Quiana Myers-Vandrovec
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to explore how a social justice-oriented mindfulness practice would impact the self-efficacy of an early childhood educator. This self-study, with the researcher as the sole participant, took place over a six-week period while the researcher was working in a private Montessori school in the Northeastern United States in a classroom of 20 students aged 3-5. The intervention included breathwork; both walking and seated meditation paired with articles, essays, interviews, and poetry relevant to social justice; meditation; and mindfulness. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through reflective journaling, a record of feelings scale, an …
The Effects Of Community Building Music On Transition Time In An Early Childhood Montessori Classroom, Rachel Branum, Brady Howard
The Effects Of Community Building Music On Transition Time In An Early Childhood Montessori Classroom, Rachel Branum, Brady Howard
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research study was to determine how community building music would affect the transition time in a primary Montessori classroom. The researchers were two female preschool teachers in public Montessori schools. The participants, aged three to six years old, were involved in a daily clean-up time, which took place before the study began. The teachers added a music intervention for four weeks to see if the dynamics of clean-up time would change. The teachers documented the research study using qualitative and quantitative data tools. The data tools included student surveys, teacher journals, a timer log, and …
Cultivating Toddler Emergent Literacy Behaviors Using The Montessori Sandpaper Letters, Elizabeth Norman
Cultivating Toddler Emergent Literacy Behaviors Using The Montessori Sandpaper Letters, Elizabeth Norman
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The Montessori Sandpaper Letters are a powerful, multi-sensory tool which can cultivate emergent literacy behaviors. A half-day Montessori classroom of 17 students between the ages of 2.4 years old and 3.5 years old in a private, accredited, suburban Montessori school participated in this action research study. Participants completed a four-week intervention that implemented daily use of the Sandpaper Letters. Data was collected through daily observations, tally charts, individual lesson logs, and a modified pre- and post-assessment of the ability to identify letter sounds. Thirteen out of 17 participants, or 76%, showed an increase in letter sound identification. In addition there …
The Impact Of Nonviolent Communication In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment, Amanda Britt Hadsall Jakowich
The Impact Of Nonviolent Communication In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment, Amanda Britt Hadsall Jakowich
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The researcher examined how Nonviolent Communication (NVC) incorporated into a Montessori primary classroom would impact student’s social-emotional learning. The students participating in this research came from multiple ethnic groups and nine were non-English speakers. Some showed evidence of trauma that resulted from living in home environments that experienced instability. The researcher modeled NVC communication in her interactions with students whenever possible and then observed and documented their reactions and behaviors during lessons on social skills in 15-minute intervals over 3 weeks. She observed students engaged in describing their feelings and concluded that NVC can be effective with consistency and guidance …