The aim of this research is to design a play-based curriculum model for preschool education based on Montessori theory. This study is applied-developmental in terms of its objectives and is mixed-methods in terms of data collection.
Drawing on the methodology of curriculum studies related to qualitative thematic analysis (including stages of data collection, initial coding, theme search, theme review, theme definition and labeling, and reporting), and considering the approaches derived from theoretical studies, a comprehensive curriculum model based on Montessori learning theory was designed. In this regard, data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with six experts, whose number was determined by theoretical saturation. For data coding, the MAXQDA software was used, and a total of 705 initial codes were extracted from the interview texts. With the coding of these concepts, 68 sub-themes were identified, and by categorizing these sub-themes into similar groups, 9 main themes were identified. Subsequently, for the quantitative part of the study, a statistical population of 171 educators was selected, and their demographic characteristics were provided. To validate the research model, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire. The results of the Partial Least Squares technique fully confirmed the validity of the model.