The Effectiveness of Montessori Methods in Promoting Fine Motor Skills among Toddlers in Sri Lanka
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60072/ijeissah.2025.v4i01.005Abstract
This paper examines how the Montessori system works in improving fine motor skills in toddlers in Sri Lanka. 25 teachers and 25 parents were interviewed using a qualitative phenomenological study, with semi-structured interviews conducted to identify their experiences with using practical life activities, sensory, outdoor learning, and art-oriented tasks as Montessori practices. The results provide us with information that Montessori practices enhance dexterity, coordination, and control of the hands, which help individuals develop intellectually and socio-emotionally. Learner-centred strategies as well as the strategies of learning through doing and reflective practice were found to be of high interest by the teachers, whilst the same was reflected by the themes, individualized attention, and socio-emotional development by the parents. The application of Montessori principles and existing practices in the setup of dynamic learning spaces will enable the needs of learners in low-resource settings. The research demonstrates the significance of the reflective practice and cooperation between the educators, parents, and policymakers to develop an equitable system of holistic development of early childhood education in Sri Lanka.
Keywords:
Early Childhood Education, Fine Motor Skills, Learner-Centred Practices, Montessori Methods, Sri LankaReferences
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