The Effect of Control-Based Group Games on Self-Controlled Behavior in a Primary Montessori Classroom

This action research study aims to determine the effect of control-based group games on self-controlled behavior in a Montessori primary classroom. The study took place over a period of four weeks and included 17 participants ages 35 months to 6 years. A control-based group game, such as Red Light/Green Light or Simon Says, was implemented daily. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected from these games, as well as from observations of behavior in the classroom. Though the study found no significant correlation between game outcomes and self-controlled behavior in the classroom, the self-control skills needed to succeed in the games increased notably over the duration of the study. This drastic improvement in self-control skills suggests the need for future, more targeted research opportunities