Course Descriptions/Academic Phase
The Maryland Center for Montessori Studies Early Childhood Teacher Certification Program offers a comprehensive course of study consisting of both an academic phase (320 hours of lecture/lab) and an internship (a minimum of 640 hours of supervised classroom work). The maximum student/instructor ratio for lecture/lab is 15:1. The outline of course content for the academic phase is as follows:
Montessori Theory and Philosophy of Education (30 lecture hours)
- the history of the method
- the nature of the young child
- the absorbent mind
- sensitive periods
- freedom and independence
- the prepared environment
- the role of the teacher
- the process of normalization
Child Development/Psychology (30 lecture hours)
- theories of child development
- stages of child development
- physical development
- cognitive development
- emotional development
- social development
- current research on child development
Practical Life (20 lecture/16 lab hours)
- the rationale of this area
- basic movements
- care of self
- care of the environment
- lessons of grace and courtesy
- ground rules
Infant & Toddler Overview (6 lecture)
- child development, age 18 months to 3 years
- Montessori philosophy at this stage of development
- developmental theories of Erik Erikson and Piaget
- practical life, sensorial, language and math for toddlers
Sensorial (20 lecture/16 lab hours)
- rationale for sensory training
- visual discrimination
- auditory discrimination
- tactile, kinesthetic sense
- stereognostic sense
- olfactory sense
- thermic sense
Mathematics (24 lecture/15 lab hours)
- rationale
- introduction to numeration
- linear counting
- introduction to the decimal system
- functions of the decimal system
- memorization of facts
- introduction to fractions
- path to abstraction
Language Instruction for Montessori Teachers (24 lecture/15 lab hours)
- acquisition of language
- receptive and expressive language
- perceptual training
- vocabulary development
- language enrichment
- pre-reading activities
- reading
- writing
- functions of words
Geography & Multi-cultural Education (14 lecture/2 lab hours)
- developing a sense of community
- helpers in the community
- holidays and festivals
- land and water formations
- political divisions (continents/countries)
- cross-cultural competency
Science (8 lecture/2 lab hours)
- philosophy of teaching science
- identifying sciences in the Montessori curriculum
- nature studies
- hands-on science activities
- biology nomenclature
- environmental studies
- earth science
Art (3 lecture/5 lab hours)
- Montessori view of art
- basic preparation
- basic skills
- appreciation of the work of masters
- appreciation of the work of others
Music and Movement (6 lecture/6 lab hours)
- importance of movement
- yoga
- songs
- games
- Montessori approach to music
Classroom Management (8 lecture hours)
- philosophic overview
- the teacher as role model
- environmental design
- communication & conflict resolution
- group dynamics
- discipline strategies
Parent Education (3 lecture hours)
- teacher-parent-child relationship
- importance of communication
- involvement of parents in school setting
- sharing the Montessori philosophy with parents
- behavioral and disciplinary strategies
Observation and Record Keeping (15 lecture/30 field work)
- importance of observation
- observation strategies
- observation components
- the use of observations
- record keeping
Administration (2 lecture hours)
- licensing requirements
- opening a school
- budgetary planning
- consultation and accreditation
- staff development
Internship Practice of all academic courses. (640 hours)
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