New Jersey
Early Childhood (2½-6)
at The Village School for Children
100 West Prospect Street
Waldwick, New Jersey
New to New Jersey!
Philosophy and Child Development are
now offered in hybrid format, which
offers an opportunity for reflective online
discussions along with in-class lectures
and demonstrations.
The Montessori approach is not just a method, it is a response to life. Early Childhood Montessori provides an environment that is enriched with materials that meet the developmental needs of today's child. In this specifically designed classroom, the child will learn at his or her own rate; for children want to work, want to master their own bodies, and their own selves. At CMTE/NY, we believe that the task of the adult is not to amuse or entertain the child but rather to prepare the environment, guide the child to it, and assist in the unfolding of the child's being. Our students learn the skills to help children develop personal responsibility and strong self-esteem.
At CMTE/NY, we value the importance of the age 2½-6, and the importance of nurturing, developing, and supporting excellence in the adults who work with children in schools and child care centers.
The NJ component of training at CMTE/NY offers students flexibility in designing a course structure that best suits their needs. Students begin their study by taking Philosophy/Child Development Part 1. Students who opt to continue on for full certification will then proceed to the rest of the academic curriculum courses. Students not beginning for full certification have the option of completing Philosophy/Child Development Parts 1 and 2 in the same year. Those students who are not interested in completing Child Development, Philosophy may be taken as a stand-alone course. Completion of all curriculum areas takes at least two years. Students with Montessori experience may audit individual classes. Please call the CMTE/NY office for further information.
Academic Phase
The academic phase offers rigorous instruction in Montessori philosophy, theory, and teaching strategies. The student receives supervised practice with Montessori materials and is exposed to various teaching styles. Course curriculum includes: Montessori philosophy and pedagogy, child development (including analytical, cognitive, emotional, and language), observation techniques, and classroom management. Montessori didactic materials and exercises for everyday living, sensorial activities, as well as language development, mathematics, geography, history, art, music, and natural sciences are presented and explained in full sequence.
Practicum Phase
Formal application to CMTE/NY must be made before beginning the practicum phase. The practicum phase may be started after completing Philosophy/Child Development- Part 1 and the first year of academic coursework. It is a nine-month internship of student-teaching in a classroom with a minimum of 12-15 children. In most schools this is a paid position. The student teacher works in a Montessori early childhood classroom approved by CMTE/NY, under the direct supervision of a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher who is in the same classroom as the student teacher. The supervising teacher must be in at least his/her second year of teaching, not counting internship. Practicum sites in a CMTE/NY approved Montessori school are available throughout the United States. The student observes and participates in the growth and development of the children and the class; s/he also learns classroom management strategies and techniques from the supervising teacher. In order to begin the practicum phase, students must be registered with CMTE/NY and have paid the Practicum Phase Fee and the Association/Credentialing Fee. CMTE/NY will then register the student with the American Montessori Society. During the practicum phase the student teacher will receive three on-site consultation visits by a representative of CMTE/NY at no additional expense. Students who have practicum sites outside the U.S. may be charged an additional fee to cover reasonable transportation expenses.
Although self-directed practicums are not the norm, circumstances may warrant this exception. A self-directed internship is a two-year practicum. The self-directed student teacher works in his or her own class at an approved Montessori school. A field consultant works with the self-directed student teacher throughout the school year. In order to do a self-directed practicum, the student needs to have had previous Montessori experience and classroom experience. There is an additional fee of $1,000 for students who are approved for self-directed practicums, which includes additional consultation visits.
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