The Montessori Method in Pre-Primary Education - An Overview of Research Written in English

undergraduate thesis

• Author: Marta Brcko
• Mentor: Alenka Mikulec (mentor)
• Committee member: Alenka Mikulec (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Vendi Franc (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Marija Lorger (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Teacher Education; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2020-07-08, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Pedagogy; Early Childhood and Preschool Pedagogy

Abstract

Over the centuries, the educational system has sought changes that would improve not only children’s learning but also the teachers’ role in teaching children. In addition to continual improvements introduced in state-owned pre-primary education institutions, a number of alternative approaches to education, including Montessori kindergartens, have been established. Montessori kindergartens are nowadays becoming increasingly popular among parents. The reasons for choosing these kindergartens can be found in their unique way of working with children and the Montessori pedagogy itself, which emphasizes the importance of children learning independently, and whose slogan is “Help me do it myself”. The goal of Montessori pedagogy is not to drive, but to encourage activity, collaboration, and independent learning. The aim of the theoretical part of this final thesis is to present basic information about Maria Montessori, her life and education, her teaching methods as well as the knowledge that Montessori pedagogy provides today for early childhood and preschool education institutions. This thesis will also give an overview of several research papers published in the English language on Montessori education in the eye of the public, Montessori learning and teaching, collaboration among parents, teachers, and children attending Montessori educational institutions as well as the main learning and teaching outcomes of Maria Montessori pedagogy. Creating a better path for the inclusion of children with disabilities into Montessori-based kindergartens will also be mentioned. The research papers used in the thesis were retrieved from online databases as well as Montessori association and some journal websites.

Abstract (croatian)

Tijekom stoljeća obrazovni je sustav tražio promjene koje bi poboljšale dječje učenje, ali i ulogu odgajatelja u poučavanju djece. Uz kontinuirana poboljšanja u javnim ustanovama za rani i predškolski odgoj i obrazovanje, utemeljeni su brojni alternativni pristupi obrazovanju, uključujući Montessori vrtiće koji su danas sve popularniji među roditeljima. Razlozi odabira Montessori vrtića mogu se pronaći u njihovom jedinstvenom načinu rada s djecom i samoj Montessori pedagogiji koja naglašava važnost samostalnog učenja i čiji je slogan „Pomozi mi da to učinim sam!“. Zadatak Montessori pedagogije nije primoravanje nekoga na aktivnost, već poticanje aktivnosti, suradnje i neovisnog učenja. Cilj teorijskog dijela ovoga završnog rada je predstaviti osnovne podatke o Mariji Montessori, njezinom životu i obrazovanju, njezinim nastavnim metodama, kao i spoznajama koje Montessori pedagogija danas pruža ustanovama za rani i predškolski odgoj i obrazovanje. Ovaj tekst također predstavlja pregled nekoliko istraživačkih radova objavljenih na engleskom jeziku koji govore o Montessori obrazovanju, Montessori učenju i poučavanju, suradnji roditelja, učitelja i djece koja pohađaju Montessori obrazovne institucije kao i glavnim ishodima učenja i poučavanja prema pedagogiji Marije Montessori. Također će biti spomenuto stvaranje boljih uvjeta za uključivanje djece s poteškoćama u Montessori vrtiće. Istraživački radovi korišteni u ovom završnom radu preuzeti su iz mrežnih baza podataka, kao i s mrežnih stranica Montessori udruga i časopisa.

• Keywords: The Montessori method of education; Montessori teacher; Montessori pedagogical principles; social skills; Montessori didactic materials
• Keywords (croatian): Montessori metoda učenja; Montessori odgojitelj; principi Montessori pedagogije; socijalne vještine; Montessori didaktički materijali
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:147:129828
• Study programme: Title: Undergraduate University Study of Early and Preschool Education; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/ prvostupnica (baccalaureus/ baccalaurea) odgojitelj/odgojiteljica djece rane i predškolske dobi (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/ prvostupnica (baccalaureus/ baccalaurea) odgojitelj/odgojiteljica djece rane i predškolske dobi)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2020-07-14 09:17:49