Date of Award

6-2024

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Katherine Jones EdD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA

Abstract

Background. The Montessori method is a non-traditional education setting that uses child-directed learning with practical life materials to foster natural learning patterns in students. Montessori students have been shown to display increased cognitive, academic, and psychological skills that continue to impact an individual through their adulthood. Due to the traditional ways of the Montessori method, related services, such as occupational therapy (OT), are not always viewed as a valuable addition to a student’s learning environment. Lack of familiarity and education regarding the Montessori method may impact the self-efficacy an occupational therapist has when providing services to Montessori students. Methods. A national needs assessment (NNA) was used to examine the presence of OT in Montessori environments and to gather information on education occupational therapists have regarding the Montessori method. Additionally, the NNA was used as a recruitment tool to gather participants to participate in the training module, Montessori for the OT. The training module included pre- and post-module surveys that measured the occupational therapists’ self-efficacy towards providing services in a Montessori setting using Montessori materials before and after completing a training module. Results. Results from the NNA suggest occupational therapists lack education regarding the Montessori method as it is not offered in OT programs. The pre- and post-module surveys indicate that a training module could positively influence the confidence occupational therapists have when providing services to Montessori students. Discussion. Although a training module may have positive impacts on self-efficacy in some areas, other areas may negatively be impacted due to the level of self-awareness discovered.

Download

Share

COinS