The purpose of this study is to find out more effective that the children in experimental group who utilized variation and application of the natural materials on Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities than the children in comparison group who utilized variation and application of Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities without the natural objects.
The study set objects of two different groups. One as a experimental group consist of 20 children at the age of 5 at S school in D city. The other as a comparison group consist of 20 children at the of 5 at S school in D city.
The experiment was conducted from May 24, 2013 to December 13, 2013, once a week. The experiment consisted of 24 sessions and the session had 50 minutes running time total 1,200 minutes.
To measure the mathematical ability of children, the researcher used the measuring tool which was reconstructed that was revised and supplemented by Bak Deok Sung (2003) was based on 「Stanford Early Achievement Test」 was produced by The Psychological Corporation. The test tool was used after preliminary examination.
To measure the mathematical attitude of children, the researcher used the measuring tool which was reconstructed that was revised and supplemented by Ward (1993) and Kim Kyung Hee (2007) on the basis of The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children was developed by Harter & Pike (1984). The test tool was used after preliminary examination.
To measure the creativity of children, the researcher used children general creativity test tool (K-CCTYC) by Jeon Kyoung Won (2000).
In order to verify its effectiveness, first, It was set a group as independent variables. They were set sub-elements of pre-mathematics skills (mathematics and computation, space and shape, measurement, data collection, and the results indicate, regularity) as a covariate and sub-elements of post-mathematical ability as the dependent variables. It was measured by MANCOVA and ANCOVA.
Second, It was set a group as parameters variables. The scores of post-test's sub-elements(interest, is an alternative navigation, competence)was set as the dependent variables. It was measured by MANOVA and ANOVA.
Third, It was set a group as independent variables. They were set sub-elements of pre-creativity (fluency, flexibility, originality, imagination) as a covariate and sub-elements of post-creativity as the dependent variables. It was measured by MANCOVA and ANCOVA.
Its statistical significance was verified in level of a=0.05. by SPSS/win 21.0
The results of the study were followed:
First, It showed that the children in experiment group utilizing variation and application of the natural materials on Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities for mathematical ability better than the children in comparison group utilizing variation and application of Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities without the natural objects.
Second, It showed that the children in experiment group utilizing variation and application of the natural materials on Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities for mathematical attitude better than the children in comparison group utilizing variation and application of Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities without the natural objects.
Third, It showed that the children in experiment group utilizing variation and application of the natural materials on Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities for creativity (fluency, flexibility, originality) better than the children in comparison group utilizing variation and application of Montessori mathematics, sensorial, cosmic activities without the natural objects. But imagination is not improved.