Growing Minds: Methodology and Instrumentation for Examining Delayed Gratification and Visual Motor Integration Through a Unique Garden Program

Alternative education settings are gaining popularity in the United States. One of these schools of thought is derived from Dr. Maria Montessori whose motto was “follow the child.” A Montessori education method is based on spontaneous learning and student led discovery. This study examined the relationship between a garden program and Montessori education methodologies, children’s ability to delay gratification, and visual motor integration. Observations and interviews were documented to obtain insight regarding integration of the garden into Montessori programs. The delay of gratification portion of this research was modeled after previous studies by Walter Mischel and colleagues. To examine a child’s ability to delay gratification, children were asked to defer an item of interest (a cookie) while the test administrator left the child’s range of view with the promise of a larger reward upon administrators return. Visual motor skill development was assessed at predetermined intervals during the garden program using the Beery Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) 5^th Edition. Delay of gratification and visual-motor integration related to gardening are new concepts that can have lifelong impacts on a child’s development. The methodology and instrumentation developed for this study will be presented to assist researchers in conducting similar and/or follow up studies.