Christian Montessori Overview & Faith Formation
During this course teachers 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 teachers 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 is applicable to infancy, primary, elementary and secondary age children.
Philosophy
This course will guide teachers 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 is applicable to infancy, primary, elementary and secondary age children.
Classroom Leadership
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 and elementary 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. This course offers a primary and elementary course.
Practical Life
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 offers both a primary and elementary course.
Geometry
This course presents the processes of learning geometric concepts through the use of Montessori materials at the Elementary level for children ages 6 – 12. Emphasis is placed on learning these concepts through developmental procedures using concrete materials and moving from concrete to abstract concepts.
Sensorial
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.
Fine Arts
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.
Language
This course applies Montessori theory and materials to the analysis of language as spoken and written including grammar, sentence analysis, reading, writing, word study, and spelling. These processes are taught in developmental sequence. Students will gain an understanding of Montessori’s holistic approach to developing language in all areas, throughout the elementary years. This course offers both a primary and elementary course.
Mathematics
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 and moving from concrete to abstract concepts. This course offers both a primary and elementary course.
Cultural
This course is designed to develop techniques and processes for introducing concepts in, science, geography and history through the presentation of Montessori materials to children. This course offers both a primary and elementary course.
Adolescent Montessori
This course will explore how the Montessori triangle is applied at the 3rd Plane of Development, adolescence. We will read Dr. Montessori's writing on her vision for Adolescent Montessori Education and together construct how we apply best practices and her vision into the classroom, by focusing on the learner, guide, and environment, with Christ at the center of the classroom, using the seven pillars of Montessori Adolescent Education. Methods in Socratic Seminar, Observation, Curriculum Development, Classroom Management, and more will be covered in our time together. There will be a few hours of prerequisite reading for the course.
Toddler Philosophy, Materials and Methods
This course begins with an overview of considerations that apply specifically to toddlers from 18–36 months. This course explores appropriate and developmentally sensitive strategies for managing behavior in typically and atypically developing early childhood students. It includes appropriate instructional management strategies; appropriate responses to the intellectual, emotional, cultural, and social needs of each toddler; models for guiding and managing ever changing behavior; identifying strategies for the development of intrinsic motivation and following the lead of the child; strategies for enhancing a child’s natural curiosity.
Infant Philosophy, Materials and Methods
This course begins with an overview of considerations that apply specifically to infants from 0–18 months. From the youngest age, infants and toddlers tap their natural curiosity and begin to learn through play and investigation. Our Infant-Toddler Education program draws from current research that supports the idea that young children need experiences and interaction to learn and grow. This course covers basic elements of infant care including feeding and diapering infants; understanding infants' various behavioral states; basic aspects of caregivers' interactions with infants; the role of play in infants' development; games and activities to create an appropriate learning environment for infants immerse yourself in Montessori ideas and methods for working with children under three.
On-Site Visit
Date of Visit Must be Discussed & Agreed Upon Beforehand for Registration
An on-site field visit is designed for the individual or group who desires a deeper look into the application of Christian Montessori in their unique educational setting, school or church. Qualified representatives and expert clinicians will come personally to your site and provide educational feedback, encouragement and customized instruction.
Montessori Philosophy & Partnering with Parents
We will focus on the formation of the partnership with parents in a Montessori community for infants and toddlers. Specifically through daily communications, record keeping, conferencing, and nurturing the relationships through education and collaboration. This course will also cover areas of Montessori philosophy related to assisting in the infant and toddler’s brain development and it’s connection with the body, the child’s temperaments, as well as Practical Life activities, including toilet awareness, designed for the child’s emerging need for independence in taking care of their physical needs and how early care of the infant lays this foundation. Competency in these areas of philosophy will equip the adult learner to better support the infant and toddler’s parents as the child’s first and most significant influence and guide.