Early Childhood Montessori Credential

This course is designed to teach participants the theory as well as practice in the Montessori philosophy as they work with and observe pre-school level children in the classroom. It is developed to help the participant learn skills and proper techniques in the observation of young children and Montessori classroom management. It is accomplished through a variety of charting options, as well as how to apply what you have observed, toward a peaceful and normalized environment.

During this course students will be introduced to the life and history of Dr. Maria Montessori with an overview of her theories and principles of incorporating faith with children – with an emphasis on learning the three important principles of the Montessori method in the classroom – learner, guide, environment. In addition, the students will gain knowledge of the five aspects or dimensions of child development and increase their sensitivity and understanding of the world of the child with an emphasis on spiritual faith formation. This course is a study of the purposes, methods, and instructional materials used in spiritual formation and development of the young child.

This course will enable the participant to develop and refine skills to implement lessons in Fine Arts (music, movement, art, drama) at early childhood and elementary levels. Strategies in lesson plans and presentations through the Fine Arts in listening, moving, singing, playing classroom instruments, storytelling, drama and art responses will be explored and implemented within a Montessori Classroom Environment.

This course will guide Adult Learners through the Montessori literature in exploration of various Montessori topics that are relevant to their role as Montessori classroom guides. Learners will deepen their knowledge and understanding of child development and observation, the Montessori prepared environment and specialized materials, and the role of the Montessori teacher as guide.

This course will guide Adult Learners through the Montessori literature in exploration of various Montessori topics that are relevant to their role as Montessori classroom guides.  Learners will deepen their knowledge and understanding of creativity and the child and the spiritual formation of the child.

This Practicum course is one semester of an academic school year under the direction of a Cooperating Teacher and a Field Supervisor in a Montessori early childhood classroom (ages 3-6) as indicated in the Student Teaching Resource. During this time, the student will experience and participate in preparation of the environment, observation, planning, recordkeeping, assessment, individual/group presentations, conferences, parent orientation, interviews, staff meetings, as well as interaction with staff, parents, children, and school management. Both Practicum I and Practicum II are required for the completion of the internship.

This Practicum course is one semester of an academic school year under the direction of a Cooperating Teacher and a Field Supervisor in a Montessori early childhood classroom (ages 3-6 yrs.) as indicated in the Student Teacher Resource.  During this time the student will experience and participate in preparation of the environment, observation, planning, recordkeeping, assessment, individual/group presentations, conferences, parent orientation, interviews, staff meetings, as well as interaction with staff, parents, children, and school management. Practicum I and Practicum II are required for the completion of the internship.

This course covers the 6 P’s of a healthy school culture, and the parent-school partnership. Special attention is given to methods and techniques of engaging parents in the life and work of their child in the school environment. A special field trip is planned to the Montessori Museum that will aid students in the global perspective of the method and influence.

This course is designed to develop, refine, and implement skills necessary to become an effective Montessori teacher in the area of Practical Life.

This course is designed to develop techniques and processes for introducing concepts in history and geography through the presentation of Montessori materials to children aged 2 ½ to 6.

This course applies Montessori theory and materials to the teaching of the language processes of listening, speaking, writing, and reading to children ages 3-6. Stress is placed on language development as a process and on the thought/language connection. Sensory-motor input in language is explained, along with the progression from concrete to abstract. The acts of reading and writing are analyzed in the context of the Montessori developmental program.

This course presents the processes of learning mathematical operations through the use of Montessori materials. Emphasis is placed on learning these concepts through developmental procedures using concrete materials.

The theory and technique necessary to ensure refinement and education of the senses are the basis of this course. Discussion will focus on the phenomena of learning in the 3-6 year old classroom and their discovery of the work through sensory experience. This course presents the Montessori sensorial materials through detailed discussion of the basic rationale for the importance of sensory experience between the ages of 3 – 6 years. Pre-language and pre-math materials are considered in terms of their application to the sensorial area.