This week I read an interesting article: Evaluating Education Reform: Early Childhood Education which was talking about the different educational result between child care and kindergarten programs. As a result, it said that the importance of methodological approach that will cause different outcomes: long term study and short term study. Meanwhile, two kind approaches would involve some essential variables, such as theories, curriculums, teacher/child ratio, class size, teacher training, and child characteristics. Then obvious differential outcomes can show up, like a boy who studies in a Montessori classroom will have a higher IQ than in other approach. As a Montessori teacher, this is the first time I heard this research result. I certainly know what kind outcomes Montessori teaching approach will be that children will really enjoy the learning process from each activity that from certain way designed environment. Children will gradually master various skills and academic studying through trained teacher slowly movement presentations and children’s repetition of each lesson that will respond to long term outcomes. Mixed up age group children learn from each other and through their naturally communications and social activities. All we can see is the concentration, independent, and joyful childhood. In my belief, Montessori teaching approach fit human being’s development tendency which will build up personality of real feeling and self esteem that will benefit the child’s future life. Therefore generally we don’t assess each child’s IQ through testing but only observe child’s progress and growth.
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/pubs/onlinepubs/eer/index.html
3 条评论:
Hi Aizhi,
I think what you have read and are saying in this blog is so very true. I teach in a small multigrade classroom. The older and/or faster, brighter children help the younger children. It makes for a great environment. It is much like a home, family, or small clan acting and workding together for mutual benefit. Those who help the others get the added benefit of reenforcing what they have already learned, and the ones helped get the benefit of having someone who may have learned for the first time only minutes before to show them what and how they learned it. Thank you for the good blog.
Jamie L
HI Aizhi,
I must admit that it is very difficult to find a child care program that really incorporates educational outcomes like that of kindergarteners. And yes, there are a lot of factors which contribute to each type of program and each type of child. The teacher/child ratio (class size), teacher qualifications and experience, and curriculums all play an important and equal role in how a child will develop. I think very highly on the Montessori style of teaching (even though I am not a teacher) and I have observed this style of teaching before. I like it because it is "child-led" and not "teacher-forced". More user friendly programs allow children to discover what interests them versus being forced to learn something that doesn't interest them. Your research supports the fact that boys who study in a Montessori setting will generally have a higher IQ. I think that all the factors above (c/t ratio, teacher experience and curriculums) demonstrate that the Montessori style is more user friendly and inviting to students which peaks curiosity and motivation. Great posting!
You know this is very interesting, my sister has three children. Her oldest was the only one that did not go to Preschool and at age 9, is the one who has has the most difficult time in school. Thanks for the research. I'm going to use it.
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