Our Programs

Early Childhood

The Early Childhood Montessori teacher education program (2.5-6 years) bridges theory and practice together, where adult learners are provided with the critical skills and tools to endow children with a successful, life-long learning experience. Upon completion of all requirements, adult learners are recommended to the American Montessori Society for the Early Childhood Credential.

This thirteen-month program is comprised of an eight-week summer academic session followed by a nine-month Montessori teaching practicum experience, a seven day mid-year session during the practicum year, and a two-week wrap-up session the following June.

Program Clock Hours:
526 contact hours + 540 practicum hours
= 1066 total hours

At the Institute, adult learners delve into Montessori philosophy with practical application woven into every curricular area and course. Class sessions entail lectures and discussions, demonstrations, practice sessions, material making, along with individual and group research and collaboration. Here, adult learners discover the process of learning and how to best facilitate this process in their own schools. Adult learners learn key elements for creating an environment which maximizes learning and which draws upon children’s individual strengths, uniqueness, successes, and incorporates meaningful goal setting for children 2.5-6 years. Collaboration with families and school personnel is also integrated into the curriculum. The practicum experience enables adult learners to work in a Montessori classroom under the day-to day guidance and supervision of an experienced Montessori teacher from a MACTE accredited teacher education program from September through June. Institute adult learners benefit from small classes, experienced and attentive instructors, and visits from field consultants during their internship, all who bring their passion and commitment to teaching excellence on all levels.

A Deep Grounding in Montessori Philosophy

  • Maria Montessori, the person
  • The hidden nature of the child
  • Self-construction and independent discovery
  • Spontaneous activity in education
  • Education for peace and membership in human family
  • The Children's House
  • The role of the Montessori teacher

Practical Child Psychology

  • The developmental stages of childhood
  • The nature of the absorbent mind
  • The development of independence and "control from within"

Practical Life Skills

  • Help children become independent
  • Help children develop coordination, concentration, and a sense of order
  • Refinement of fine motor skills
  • Design creative practical life activities

Child Study and Observation

  • The role of observation
  • Practical techniques for observing children
  • How to recognize and support sensitive periods in child development

Classroom Management

  • The prepared environment
  • Creative environmental design
  • Build a peaceful community
  • Organizational skills
  • Effective record-keeping
  • Communications with parents

Sensory-Motor Education

  • The Montessori sensorial exercises and beyond: creative extensions
  • Develop sensory memory
  • Help children develop coordination, concentration, and a sense of order

Movement

  • Games and dances for early childhood
  • Movement and simple gymnastics
  • Gross motor coordination and balance activities

Curriculum Design

  • Plan lessons and activities to engage young children
  • Integrate your curriculum
  • Material-making and curriculum development
  • Long-term planning

Language Arts

  • Develop pre-reading skills
  • Basic phonics and beginning reading
  • Advanced phonics
  • Prose and poetry composition from the moveable alphabet to the word processor
  • D'Nealian handwriting
  • Share literature with children
  • An introduction to grammar

Mathematics

  • Develop the "mathematical mind"
  • The role of the concrete materials
  • Basic operations with materials
  • Memorization made easy
  • Hands-on extensions
  • The passage to abstraction

History and Geography

  • Develop a sense of space: concrete mapping activities
  • Continent and country studies
  • Land and water formations
  • Environmental studies
  • Celebrations of life
  • Develop a sense of time, bringing history alive through concrete experiences

Science and Nature

  • Hands-on science in early childhood education
  • Animal and plant study
  • Classroom pets and plants
  • Take children outdoors
  • Health and nutrition education

Art

  • Explore the cognitive development of creativity
  • Develop sequential art lessons for the classroom
  • Hands-on art appreciation activities

Music

  • Orff-Schulwerk course based on singing, movement, instrument playing, and peer-teaching
  • Cultural, seasonal, daily songs, games, and music appropriate for classroom
  • Add music to folk tales and storybooks