Course Components
Some Information
Curriculum Components of the Early Childhood Montessori Course
Practical Life/Everyday Living:
Practical life as classroom management
Practical life throughout the environment
Elements of practical life
Precision, Refinement
Order, concentration, coordination; and independence
Grace and courtesy; Care of the person
Care of the environment; and Grasping and controlling
Language
The principle underlying alphabetic writing;
Hook-up written language with oral language
Word parts, words, strings of words, and how they relate
Selecting strategies for each student and Individual lessons
Multi-sensory approach
The sensitive period of language
Vocabulary enrichment and development
Word study and the function of words
Sandpaper letters and the moveable alphabet
Preparation of the hand for writing
Phonemic Awareness:
Listening activities
Phonemic Segmentation
Phoneme Deletion
Phoneme Matching
Phoneme Counting
Phoneme Substitution
Blending
Rhyming
Metal insets
Pencil grip
Early reading and early writing
Auditory and visual processing
Direct teaching
Matching, sequencing, and
categorization
Specific ways to decode and
encode language symbols
Eye-hand coordination
The relationship of sensorial to the whole curriculum
Chinese Writing
Sensorial:
Sensory learning and the development of the intellect
The relationship of sensorial activities to other areas of the
curriculum
Development and refinement of the seven sense areas of size
Discrimination, color, form, touch, sound, smell, and taste
Montessori Philosophy and Theory
An historical perspective
A strong foundation in Montessori key concepts, including Sensitive periods
Discipline, liberty, spontaneity, and
The physical and mental potentialities of the human personality
The Environment and Components:
Design of the Environment
How to maintain a child-centered environment
Left to right sequencing
Isolation of a single quality
Control of error
Aesthetically pleasing
The teacher serves as a link to the environment
Daily schedules and curriculum
Lesson strategies
Direct and indirect aims
Move from the known to the unknown, from the simple to the complex
Explore the meaning of multi-sensory, sequencing, order, repetition
The Three period lesson
Observation:
The basic role of observation in the Montessori experience;
Techniques for observation, assessment strategies, and diagnostic interpretation;
Objective observation;
Observation specifics applied to individual learning styles; and
Observation specifics for each curriculum area.
Visual Arts, Music, and Movement:
Creative expression, cultural appreciation, and the connection to intellectual development
The art curriculum and activities that build basic skills
Explore various media
Art history and appreciation
Rhythmic skills, various instruments;
The bells and simple notation;
Composers and their work;
Games and line activities that develop balance and coordination; and Dance, visualization with movement.
Child Development:
Montessori’s developmental theories and practices
Stages of development and milestones, ages 2 ½ through 6
Cognitive, social, and emotional development;
Behavioral norms and recommendations for early intervention
Current research
Community resources supporting children and families
Mastering action and motor development;
Perfection of movement
Learning styles
Pathways to the brain and brain development; Action connected to mental activity; and Language acquisition
Math:
The “mathematical mind”
Development of number concept; Sequence of the Montessori math materials
Quantity, quality, association
Numeration
Linear counting
Memorization
Hierarchy of numbers (place value)
Four operations; static and dynamic with at least four-digit numeral
Introduction to fractions
Sensorial squaring and cubing
Science:
Botany and Zoology
Study of nature specimens
Animal classification and habitats
Classification of Earth elements
Simple experiments emphasizing observation
Study of physical and life science
Nurturing the child’s sense of wonder
respect toward life and nature
Cultural:
Create a cultural curriculum in response to the classroom population
Montessori’s philosophy of the interconnectedness of life
Sense of geographic space
Concepts of time
Multicultural awareness
Geography maps and land forms
Observation and recording activities for the child
Calendars, personal timelines, and the concept of time
International festivals and celebrations
People and places of the world
Peace education and the oneness of the human family
Leadership for the Montessori Teacher:
Child evaluation, tracking, learning styles, and record keeping
Cultural awareness and families
Parent partnerships
communication, conferences, volunteerism, and guest observation
Professionalism
Positive discipline and problem solving
Effective classroom strategies that develop a sense of community and belonging; and school administration and government requirementStudy of nature specimens
Animal classification and habitats
Classification of Earth elements
Simple experiments emphasizing observation
Study of physical and life science
Nurturing the child’s sense of wonder
respect toward life and nature
Cultural:
Create a cultural curriculum in response to the classroom population
Montessori’s philosophy of the interconnectedness of life
Sense of geographic space
Concepts of time
Multicultural awareness
Geography maps and land forms
Observation and recording activities for the child
Calendars, personal timelines, and the concept of time
International festivals and celebrations
People and places of the world
Peace education and the oneness of the human family
Leadership for the Montessori Teacher:
Child evaluation, tracking, learning styles, and record keeping
Cultural awareness and families
Parent partnerships
communication, conferences, volunteerism, and guest observation
Professionalism
Positive discipline and problem solving
Effective classroom strategies that develop a sense of community and belonging; and school administration and government requirement
