Abstract:
To study the art instruction organized in Montessori- based kindergarten. The populations in this research were composed of five administrators, five experts and twenty one teachers in eight Montessori-based kindergartens. The research instruments were developed by the researcher included of interview, questionnaire and observation. The data collected in this research were analyzed by means of percentage, frequency and content analysis. According to the obtain data, it was found that all the groups of the participants expressed their opinions in the same way in all aspects as follows 1) Objectives of art instruction : focused on supporting child development in five aspects: physical, mental, emotional, social and language. In addition, practicing eyes, hands and five senses co-ordination of the children are also focused. 2) Curriculum, content and activity : focused on sequences of the teaching topic, which were arranged by level of difficulty. Topics of art activities mainly used in class were mostly about biological contents such as human, plants and animals. Handy craft, drawing and painting were topics to be taught. 3) Teaching method : demonstration was used as main method for teaching. Moreover, child's work habit was developed by teachers integrated art activity in their classroom. Teachers were also in change of managing facilities for art activities for the children such as art media. 4) Teacher : focused on the differences of child's learning, observed child individually and prepared suitable environment for the children. 5) Students: choosed activity and materials according to their interest, be charitable with others, finished their work on time, corrected materials and kept clean after work, 6) Teaching media: materials placed on shelf are arranged by shapes, sizes and weight of materials to make it suitable for children and their activities. Moreover, teachers also obderved childrens' motivation to art tools and art materials. 7) Evaluation: Teachers employed behavior observation as main method, also evaluated skill development in art activity and usage of art tools, personal discipline and activity intention 8) Learning environmemt: Art activity was suitable with art classroom. This also applied outdoor for art activity. 9) Parents: co-operated with teacher in instruction. Teacher reported their children's behavior and development at least once a week. Parents were allowed to observe their children under class permission.