This study aims to evaluate the educational value of Montessori math teaching aids by identifying how math education with Montessori teaching aids and that of other teaching resources have influence on children's mathematical concepts and approaches t...
This study aims to evaluate the educational value of Montessori math teaching aids by identifying how math education with Montessori teaching aids and that of other teaching resources have influence on children's mathematical concepts and approaches to math.
To obtain the objective of this study, the following research questions are set.
1. How does math education with Montessori teaching resources and that of other teaching resources affect children's mathematical concepts?
2. How does math education with Montessori teaching resources and that of other teaching resources affect children's approaches to mathematics?
130 children in total, including 65 subjects aged 5 at a Montessori preschool and another 65 subjects aged 5 at a pre-primary education center in Daegu, were allocated. The pre and post-test methods used in the study include mathematical concept (Fischer, 1998) and approach to math (Ward, 1993).
The project activity was conducted for 8 weeks. Every single day, each of the Montessori math teaching aids was utilized at the Montessori preschool while each of the math teaching resources at the education center were used at the center.
For statistical data analysis, I performed ANVOCA by using the scores shown at pre-test mathematical concept and approach to math as a covariate. The findings are as follows:
1. The group with Montessori math education showed more advanced mathematical concepts than the group with other teaching resources. (P< .01)
2. The group with Montessori math education showed more increased confidence among sub-factors of approaches to math than the group with other teaching resources. (P < .05)
Given the above findings, the following conclusion can be drawn.
Math education using Montessori math teaching aids was more effective in improving children's mathematical concepts and approachesto math than the education using other teaching resources. In conclusion, more proper math education for early childhood development is needed to help children understand the concepts intuitively by themselves, by providing manipulable concrete materials and environment in order to allow them to experience various mathematical practicesin everyday life, than to make them acquire knowledge through external stimulation and training.