Date of Award

12-2021

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education, Montessori

First Advisor

Alisha Brandon

Department/School

Montessori Elementary Education, Elementary Education

Abstract

This action research investigated how integrating practical life exercises and self-regulation lessons could foster emotion regulation in lower elementary children. Twenty First and Second grade students in a public Montessori school participated in this four-week study. Quantitative data tools included students’ feelings self assessments, parent questionnaire, feelings check-in, and tallies of student behavior. Qualitative tools included students’ feeling journals, my observation journal, and children’s practical life reflection. Data analysis indicated that teaching children to identify their feelings and offering choices of calm down activities in the practical life area gave children the tools to recalibrate themselves. By the end of the study, an increasing number of children checked in daily as feeling happy, calm, and focused. Introducing social emotional lessons in September alongside classroom rules, routines, and expectations along with calm down tools equips children with a preventative rather than remedial repertoire of tools to emotionally regulate themselves to be successful learners for life.

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