EARLY CHILDHOOD (2.5-6) CERTIFICATION
Cohort 2023-24 schedule: Summer (1 week) - from 7/31-8/5/2023, daily, from 8am-5pm Ongoing (10 months) - from 8/26/2023 - 5/4/2024, Saturdays, from 8am-5pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION
At the MGTEI Early Childhood (2.5-6) Teacher Certification presents a comprehensive understanding of the young child so adult learners can be an aid to their development. The course integrates Montessori philosophy and best practice for young children with the latest in early childhood education, neuropsychological and developmental research. We present lectures with a deep and comprehensive exploration of the Montessori approach to the 1st plane of development to foster skills that support the construction of the physical person and an absorbent mind occurring in the 2.5-6 period. Adult learners complete a variety of meaningful assignments which relate directly to their EC classroom experience and provide opportunities for practical application of the course material. Weekly interactions with instructors and fellow adult learners build a rich and supportive learning community providing additional opportunities for integration of course topics.
THE ACADEMIC PHASE
The Early Childhood Full Certificate adult learners complete the academic and practicum phases in a total of 845 contact hours, including 305 academic contact hours (with 20 hours of documented observation and 16 of practicum weekend seminars), and are required to complete a 10–12-month, 540-hour practicum internship.
Including 308 academic contact hours in-residence before starting the practicum phase. See tables EC (2.5-6) Course Components Summary (link) and EC (2.5-6) Course Schedule (link) for detailed breakdown.
THE PRACTICUM PHASE
This intern-teaching phase must take place in a Montessori classroom for children 2.5-6 years of age. Exceptions may be made for an alternative age grouping, at the discretion of the Program Director. Supervising Teacher must meet criteria for supervision and Montessori best practices must be followed.
The ideal practicum experience takes place in a well-equipped classroom with a certified and experienced Montessori Early Childhood Supervising teacher and prepared accordingly to Montessori principles for this age group, facilitating the development of children 2.5-6 years. In this scenario the adult learner serves as an assistant teacher/intern working under the guidance of the Supervising Teacher.