(Abstract)
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Montessori practical-life educational activities on children's mathematical ability. The same number of twenty children were randomly allocated to two experimental groups I, II an...
(Abstract)
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Montessori practical-life educational activities on children's mathematical ability. The same number of twenty children were randomly allocated to two experimental groups I, II and one comparative group respectively among three classes of four-year-old sixty children at a kindergarten in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The experimental groups are divided to group I consisting of participants in Montessori practical-life educational arithmetic activities and group II with participants in Montessori practical-life activities. MANOVA(Multi-Analysis of Variances) is performed, two times a week for ten weeks with the three groups before and after the experiment, with primary factor of the type of group and subordinate factor of lower-level variables.
The conclusion derived from the research is as follows. Firstly, Montessori practical-life educational activities are effective in improving four-year-old children's understanding of arithmetic concepts. Experimental group I showed meaningful differences in five subordinate factors of arithmetic concepts such as counting, computing, numeric pattern, numerical relationship, and numeric symbols. Experimental group II showed a statistically meaningful difference in numeric symbols, while not in other factors such as counting, computing, numeric pattern, and numerical relationship.
Secondly, Montessori practical-life educational activities are effective in improving mathematical problem-solving ability of four-year-old children. Experimental group I showed meaningful differences in all subordinate factors of mathematical problem-solving ability such as classification, pattern, number, measurement, shape, statistics. Experimental group II showed statistically meaningful differences in number and shape, while not in classification, pattern, measurement and statistics.
Thirdly, Montessori practical-life educational activities have an effect on the enhancement of mathematical attitude of four-year-old children. In case of experimental group I, which participated in Montessori practical-life educational arithmetic activities, it is suggested that mathematical abilities are influenced by the type of mathematical attitude such as interest, confidence, and patience.