Date of Award
5-2018
Document Type
Action Research Project
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education, Montessori
First Advisor
Alisha Brandon
Department/School
Montessori Early Childhood
Abstract
This study investigated how children responded to participating in twenty minutes of nature-based activities that involved direct contact with dirt. The study took place in a Primary Montessori school with 27 children ages 3 to 6 years. The research was conducted over a six-week period in which a pre-assessment was conducted in the first week, followed by four weeks that consisted of presenting 20 minute Nature Work lessons on a daily basis. Once children were shown how to use the materials, data was collected regarding their participation and independent use of the materials. In addition, daily journaling by the researcher was completed to document self-reflection of children's responses to Nature Work. During the sixth week, a post-assessment was conducted to indicate whether the Nature Work intervention influenced the children's interest in connecting and engaging more deeply with nature. Results of the research suggest that the children's participation increased over the duration of the intervention. However, the perceived interest/enjoyment decreased slightly, according to the responses to the Pre- /Post-Assessment questions. The children remained engaged and interested in participating in the Nature Work options: Bulb Planting, Seedling boxes, Transplanting Plants and Worm Composting. A longer study is recommended to increase opportunity for participation in the Nature Work intervention and increase data collection.
Recommended Citation
Lerma, Dorothy R.. (2018). The Effect of Nature Work in a Primary-Aged Montessori Environment. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/261
Included in
Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Psychology Commons