Thesis (BS Architecture) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2011

Learning during the first five years of human experience is said to be at optimum level. Children during early childhood have the ability to absorb knowledge through their experiences in the environment. Hence, children in this crucial stage must have the opportunity to grow and develop under the most favorable conditions. The main objective of this study was to integrate practical learning spaces of the distinctive Montesorri pedagogical approach in conventional preschools for an effective learning environment. Children exposed to a different environment while learning as conducted in the experiment have attention span higher than the children exposed to the same classroom environment. Children have better level of performance as reflected on the conducted pretests and postests for the experimental group exposed in active learning. Therefore, children learn more when exposed to active learning with an appropriate environment for the different learning activities. The result of this study produced design guidelines on integrating practical learning spaces of the distinctive Montesorri pedagogical approach in private conventional preschools. Offering the said practical learning spaces in conventional preschools will be of great relevance in providing an effective learning environment for children.