Integration of Montessori Method with Role-Playing Activities to Enhance Character Development and Independence in Early Childhood

Character development and independence in early childhood constitute fundamental foundations for future life success. While both the Montessori method and role-playing activities have proven effective in early childhood education, research on their integration remains limited. To analyse the effectiveness of integrating the Montessori method with role-playing activities in enhancing character development and independence in early childhood. A quantitative study employing quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control group design was conducted with 60 children aged 4-6 years. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=30, receiving the integrated method) and a control group (n=30, receiving conventional instruction). Significant improvements were observed in both character development (p<0.05) and independence (p<0.01) in the experimental group. The experimental group showed substantial gains in character scores (18.94 points) compared to the control group (4.36 points), with large effect size (Cohen's d = 2.06). Independence scores increased by 21.23 points in the experimental group versus 4.47 points in the control group, also with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 2.65). The integration of Montessori method with role-playing activities proves highly effective in enhancing character development and independence in early childhood, offering a promising pedagogical approach for early childhood education.