A Pre-School Program

Paper Summary:

The paper describes a preschool program for ages 3 to 5 years that employs Maria Montessori's principles, albeit with some refinements. The paper explains the space and material requirements and looks at the teacher assistance to be provided. The paper reveals that the preschool program envisioned has been shown to be effective in thousands of preschool settings and it can be successful in thousands of others as well.

Outline:
Space Requirements and Materials
Teacher Assistance Required and Classroom Administration
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The space provided by this envisioned pre-school program would require an typical classroom environment, with designated play, reading, art and rest areas; other features would include age-appropriate reading materials (e.g., Cat in the Hat et al.), tables and chairs, and basic art supplies (i.e., Elmer's, construction paper, crayons, modeling clay, paints and brushes, pipe-cleaners, glitter [teacher discretion], etc.), and toys and games (i.e., Chutes 'n Ladders, Candyland, balls, jacks, pick-up-sticks, jigsaw puzzles, etc.). Regardless of what type of materials are provided in the preschool classroom using this approach, though, it is important to keep in mind the Montessori principle of a providing a controlled (i.e., limited) environment."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Crocker, A. D., & Orr, R. R. (1996). Social behaviors of children with visual impairments enrolled in preschool programs. Exceptional Children, 62(5), 451.
• Elliott, S. N., Gettinger, M., & Kratochwill, T. R. (1992). Preschool and early childhood treatment directions. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Finn, K. V., Lopata, C., & Wallace, N. V. (2005). Comparison of academic achievement between Montessori and traditional education programs. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 20(1), 5.
• Lunenburg, F. C. (2000). Early childhood education programs can make a difference in academic, economic and social arenas. Education, 120(3), 519.
• Wentworth, R. A. (1999). Montessori for the new millennium: Practical guidance on the teaching and education of children of all ages, based on a rediscovery of the true principles and vision of Maria Montessori. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

More papers on A Pre-School Program:

• Term Paper # 148559 : "School Program Evaluation"
• Research Proposal # 94557 : "Pre-school Programs and Autistic Children"
• Essay # 90915 : "Total Communication in Pre-School Settings"

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