Examining the effect of the Montessori Education Method on the school readiness levels of preschool children

This study aims to examine the impact of the Montessori education method on the school readiness levels of preschool children. In line with this aim, a total of 40 preschool children aged 60-78 months, including 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group, receiving education through the Montessori Education Method and the Ministry of National Education (MEB) Preschool Education Program (2013) under the Kırklareli Provincial Directorate of National Education, were included in the study. The quantitative research method of pre-test post-test control group experimental design was employed. As data collection instruments, the "Family Child General Information Form" developed by the researcher and the "Marmara School Readiness Scale (MIHO)" developed by Polat (2003) to assess the school readiness levels of preschool children were utilized. Following the pre-tests, the MEB Preschool Education Program (2013) was implemented with the children in the control group, while the Montessori Education Method was implemented with the children in the experimental group for 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, post-tests were administered to both groups. The research data were analyzed using the SPSS-27 software package. In the analysis of the obtained data, descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and repeated measures t-test were used. The results showed that the total scores obtained from the MPRS Development and Application Forms were in favor of the Montessori education method. It was determined that the scores of the children educated with the Montessori Education Method were higher in the sub-dimensions of cognitive-language development, social-emotional development, self-care skills, sound studies (phonological awareness), line studies, and mazes (visual perception, hand-eye coordination, attention skills) compared to the children educated with the MEB Preschool Education Program (2013). As a result, it was determined that the school readiness levels of the children educated with the Montessori Education Method were higher than those of the children educated with the MEB Preschool Education Program (2013).