Teacher Education
Infant—Toddler Teacher Education Birth-Three Years
The goal of the NCME-NE Teacher Education Program is to provide quality instruction to those individuals aspiring to become Montessori teachers and, further, to provide instruction in an atmosphere of inspiration, helpfulness, sincerity, and respect for the individual.
This Course has been planned to develop sequentially from one stage of understanding to the next. Prior to enrollment, students begin with an initial orientation and an independent study. Students entering without a Montessori Early childhood teaching credential are required to attend the Early Childhood Overview Course.
Course I: Independent Study
A series of lessons based on readings from assigned from Montessori texts. This course prepares the learner for the Academic Workshop, Course II.
Course II: Academic Workshop
The Academic Workshop includes lectures, presentation of the Montessori Materials, Supervised Practice, Presentation of Classroom Management and Observation Techniques, Overview of School Leadership and Administration, Discussion of Album Requirements, Action Research and Curriculum Development.
Child Development/Psychology
Coursework includes: Theories of development, prenatal development and childbirth, infant and toddler development, stages of development of the young child, areas of development: physical, cognitive, emotional, social; current research.
Montessori Philosophy and Pedagogy
Coursework includes: a general overview of Montessori's principles and ideas, her view of the child and his/her place in society, with an emphasis on Montessori's concept of the child from birth to three. Scientific analysis of how to nurture and assist the unfolding human personality; care of physical and psychological needs; daily routines as curriculum; strategies for assistance; positive communication, with an emphasis on personal development of the adult caregiver and the qualities of the adult based on Montessori's view of the child and Infant—Toddler Program Calendar 2010 Infant—Toddler Program APPLICATION "The first step an intending Montessori teacher must take is to prepare herself. For one thing, she must keep her imagination alive ... The Montessori teacher is constantly looking for a child who is not yet there ... The teacher ... must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal himself ..." -Dr. Maria Montessori emphasis on personal development of the adult caregiver and the qualities of the adult based on Montessori's view of the child and activities for infants and toddlers.
Environmental Design
Coursework includes: designing an aesthetically pleasing infant and toddler environment that is conducive to learning and meeting the needs of sensitive periods for language, movement, development of the senses, independence and order through activities, space and materials. This course also includes health, safety and legislation.
Program Leadership and Administration
Coursework includes: the rationale for scheduling, administrative issues, financial and budgetary fee factors, funding, personnel matters, legislation and standards, childcare policy.
Child, Family, and Community
Coursework includes: psychology of parenthood, child-rearing practices, resource and referral agencies and protocol, parent-teacher conferencing, parental involvement, parent education, health and nutrition, community networking.
Observation
Coursework includes lecture (7 hours) and documented observation (12 hours).
Personal Growth and Development
Coursework includes: Professionalism, ethical behavior, introspection, the continued spiritual growth of the adult, and working as a member of a team.
Infant & Toddler Activities
Coursework includes: Materials and modes of activities that respond to the developmental and varied needs and interests of children from birth to age three. This coursework supports the work of the student in preparation for the practicum phase and the action research project.
Course III: Practicum
The Practicum consists of a full-time classroom experience of at least 400 hours (over a nine-month period) in a pre-approved infant and toddler model setting that provides the Intern with supervisory support in the classroom and periodic observation and evaluation. The purpose of the internship is to provide the student with the opportunity for gradual, personal and practical experience as a Montessori Teacher. This course includes the Action Research/Curriculum Development Project.
Course IV: Evaluation
Final review and examinations are a requirement of the NCME-NE Teacher Education Courses. During Course IV, students complete their examinations and present their final projects. Upon successful completion, students are awarded an American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant and Toddler Credential or an American Montessori Society (AMS) Associate Infant and Toddler Credential.*