The Infant and Toddler Montessori teacher education program (birth – 3 years) allows teachers to explore the wonders of childhood from the beginning. Focusing primarily on the development of children and the philosophy of Dr. Montessori, teachers gain a strong understanding of and appreciation for this age group.

This thirteen-month program is comprised of a five-week summer academic session followed by a nine month Montessori teaching practicum experience, a four day seminar during the practicum year, and a one-week wrap-up session the following June. An Infant and Toddler adult learner who does not hold an Early Childhood Montessori credential must complete the Institute’s Early Childhood Overview Course offered during the practicum year. Upon completion of all requirements, adult learners are recommended to the American Montessori Society for the Infant and Toddler Credential.

Class sessions entail lectures and discussions, material demonstrations and practice sessions. Adult learners have the opportunity to work in collaboration with one another towards the completion of projects and group research. The practicum experience allows 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 class sizes, 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.

Program Topics Include: 

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 role of the Montessori teacher

Child Development

• Developmental stages of childhood
• Prenatal development and childbirth
• Aspects of development – social, emotional, cognitive, physical

Environmental Design

• The prepared environment
• Creative environmental design
• Building a peaceful community
• Safety and legislation

Child, Family and Community

• Psychology of parenthood
• Home-school connection
• Parent education and involvement
• Health and nutrition

Observation

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

Personal Growth and Development

• Professionalism
• Introspection

Music and Movement

• Singing
• Movement activities
• Gross motor and balance activities

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,  seminar sessions during the practicum year, and a two-week wrap-up session the following June.

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.
 

Program Topics Include: 

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

The Elementary Montessori teacher education program (6-12 years) allows adult learners to explore the dynamic changes in children during this time of imagination, growth and increased independence.

Focusing primarily on the development of children and the philosophy of Dr. Montessori, teachers gain a strong understanding of and appreciation for this age group.

The Institute offers three programs of Montessori teacher education at the elementary level:

• Elementary I & II (ages 6-12)
• Elementary I (ages 6-9)
• Elementary II (ages 9-12)

These programs involve a fifteen-month course of study consisting of two eight-week summer academic sessions with a nine-month elementary Montessori teaching practicum experience. Adult learners return to the Institute for  seminar sessions during the practicum year.

The Elementary I program involves a thirteen-month course of study beginning with an eight-week summer session followed by a nine-month elementary Montessori teaching practicum experience. Adult learners return to the Institute for seminar sessions during the practicum year and then again for a two-week wrap-up session the following June.

An Elementary adult learner who does not hold an Early Childhood Montessori credential must complete the Institute’s Elementary Preparatory Course offered during the first summer. Upon completion of all requirements, adult learners are recommended to the American Montessori Society for the Elementary Credential.Class sessions are comprised of lectures and discussions, demonstrations, practice sessions and material making. Adult learners discover the process of learning and how to best facilitate this process in their own classroom environments. The practicum experience allows adult learners to work in a Montessori classroom under the guidance and supervision of an experienced Montessori teacher from a MACTE accredited teacher education program from September through June.

I came to the Institute as a student for the Elementary training (6-12) after 17 years of teaching in a 3-6 environment. The Institute helped rekindle creativity in me: in making new and wonderful materials, in meeting each challenge in the classroom with fresh ideas. The support given by all staff members makes the Institute a warm and secure place for students to grow and develop.

Institute Student

Program Topics Include: 

A Deep Grounding in Montessori Philosophy

• Maria Montessori, the person
• The nature of the elementary child
• The role of imagination
• Education to develop the full human potential
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Moral and ethical education
• The role of the elementary Montessori teacher

Practical Child Psychology

• The developmental stages of childhood
• The development of logic and moral reasoning
• The continuing development of independence and "controls from within"
• Encourage imagination and creativity

Classroom Management

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

Elementary Practical Life Skills

• Care of the class environment
• Planning events and field trips
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills

Language Arts

• Advanced phonics
• D'Nealian writing and calligraphy
• Word study
• Grammar and sentence analysis
• Elementary writing skills from creative writing to research
• "Writer's Workshop"

Mathematics

• Develop the "mathematical mind"
• The role of the concrete materials
• Memorization made easy
• The passage to abstraction
• Hands-on, real-life math applications
• Fractions
• Elementary geometry
• Mortensen math: basic operations, fractions and pre-algebra

Earth Science and Physical Geography

• The creation of the Universe
• Formation of the solar system
• In-depth study of planet Earth
• Tectonic plates and continental drift
• Forces that shape the face of Earth today
• Advanced land and water formations
• Mapping skills

Prehistory

• Develop a sense of the Earth's geology and biological prehistory through time-line studies
• The evolution of our human ancestors
• Bring prehistory alive through concrete experiences

Cultural Geography

• Studies of nations and regions of the world
• The needs of human societies emphasizing our community
• Build a global perspective through international studies

The Study of Life: Botany and Zoology

• The evolution of life on Earth
• Biomes of the world
• Classification of plant and animal kingdoms
• The microscope in the elementary classroom
• Hands-on experimental science
• Classroom pets and plants
• Outdoor education
• Health and nutrition education

Physical Science: Chemistry and Physics

• The nature of atoms
• Study of the elements
• Simple lab techniques
• Study of natural phenomena
• Simple machines
• Children's science experiments

Art

• Explore the theory, practice, and maintenance of a classroom-based art program
• Develop the skills in two- and three-dimensional art media
• Support the cultural curriculum with art

Music

• Rhythm patterns and music notation
• Music history and appreciation
• Musical performances

Movement

• Cooperative children's games
• Basic sport skills
• Encourage cardiovascular exercise

Curriculum Design

• Plan lessons and activities to engage the elementary child
• Integrate your curriculum
• Material-making and curriculum development
• Long-term planning