The Implementation of an Early Childhood Montessori Peace Curriculum to Mitigate Traumatic Events
File(s)
Date
2021-06-09Author
Vetterkind, Camille
Advisor(s)
Carver, Kateri
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This purpose of this action research project was created to study the effects of a peace
curriculum and how it can help mitigate a pandemic or a traumatic societal event. The study took
place in a public Montessori School located in the Midwest. There was a total of 15 children in
the classroom that consisted of both pre-k and kindergarten aged children. This was a six- week
study that included a peace curriculum, strategies, and tools for children to gain an understanding
of peace and how it can be achieved during traumatic or stressful situations. The Peace
Curriculum included discussions on natural disasters and our current COVID-19 virus as means
to familiarize traumatic events and the use of coping strategies in promoting self-care. The
children were provided with different group activities, strategies, and techniques to use, such as
breathing techniques, visualization, yoga/movement, and discussions on peacemakers and how
we all have the power to make a difference in the world and become global citizens. Quantitative
and qualitative data collections were used to both determine their understanding of their
emotions and develop ways to find their inner peace, peacemaking and peace keeping skills. The
results showed that the children developed an awareness of others, their environment, and their
abilities to be change agents and peacemakers. The outcome proved to have been effective
providing children with an environment where they feel safe to share their thoughts and apply
the strategies when coping with their own traumatic experiences.
Subject
peace
peace curriculum
COVID 19
Montessori
natural disasters
peacemakers
emotions
peace techniques and strategies
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/82432Description
M.S.E., Montessori