Teachers' Assessment of Student Concentration: A Montessori Perspective

• In Event: Montessori Education SIG: Child Development Research

Abstract

In Montessori education, concentration is seen as the mechanism by which students not only obtain academic knowledge and skill, but also develop self-regulation, prosocial behavior, and sympathy. Montessori teachers are trained to assess concentration through observing student activity. This study investigates how early childhood Montessori teachers (N=163) assess student concentration. Teachers completed an online survey by rating student concentration in 20 video clips, answering a qualitative question on concentration assessment, and ranking student characteristics according to importance in assessing concentration. Video results revealed that teachers appear to assess student concentration through observing visual attention, physical position, and physical movement. Teachers also reported and ranked resisting distraction, evident joy, and purposeful activity as most important when assessing student concentration.

Authors

• Christina M Carroll, University of Virginia

• Ian Becker, University of Virginia

• Angeline S Lillard, University of Virginia