Early Childhood

For teaching children from ages 2½ to 6

We offer Early Childhood programs in two locations:

• at our summer institute at  in  New York
• during the academic year in Westfield, New Jersey

The Montessori approach is not just a method – it is a response to life.  The Early Childhood Montessori experience provides an environment enriched with materials to meet the breadth of children’s developmental needs.  In specially designed classrooms, children learn at their own rates as they pursue their desires to work and master their own bodies.

At CME|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.  Students in our teacher education program learn the skills to help children develop personal responsibility and strong self-esteem.

Academic phase

Curriculum includes:

• Montessori philosophy and pedagogy
• Child development, including analytical, cognitive, emotional and language development
• Observation techniques
• Classroom management
• Teaching strategies
• Supervised practice with Montessori materials for everyday living and sensorial activities, language development, mathematics, geography, history, art, music and natural sciences.

 See the detailed course descriptions

 

Practicum phase

After successfully completing the academic coursework, students enter the practicum phase in which they do a nine-month internship in a classroom with a minimum of 12 children.  The student teacher works in the classroom under the supervision of a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher who is in at least his or her second year of post-internship teaching. The student teacher observes and helps nurture the growth and development of the children in the class while learning classroom management strategies and techniques from the supervising teacher.

During the practicum phase, a representative from CME|NY will visit the student for three on-site consultations.  This cost is included in the tuition.  For on-site consultations outside the U.S. and/or beyond a 100 mile radius of the nearest qualified field consultant,  the adult learner will be responsible for the additional costs of travel expenses incurred.

While self-directed practicums are not the norm for this program, we recognize that circumstances may warrant this exception.   With this option, a field consultant works with the student teacher in his or her own class at an approved Montessori school over the course of two years.  To be eligible for this self-directed internship, the student needs to have had previous Montessori classroom experience.  An additional fee, which includes additional consultation visits, applies for those who are approved for the self-directed practicum.

 

Schedule

• Classes meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Required practice labs may be scheduled during the day or evening hours after class.
• Two evening sessions will be held on Wednesday,  June 19,  2013 and Wednesday, July 31,  2013 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

The academic portion of the course takes place in one summer, with 2 seminars that occur during the school year.

• 1 summer – 7 weeks

 We will also offer an Early Childhood program at Christopher Academy in Westfield, New Jersey. This program takes place during the academic school year. Please contact Lisanne Pinciotti at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.