Infant and Toddler

For teaching children from birth to age 3

CMTE/NY was the first program in the United States to offer Montessori Infant and Toddler certification.

The CMTE/NY Infant and Toddler program offers professional training for people who want to work with children between birth and three years of age.

Teaching how to provide quality care, create appropriate environments and nurture optimal development for this age group, the program is designed for everyone who cares for infants and toddlers – Montessorians and non-Montessorians alike – including:

• Child care teachers
• Home child care providers
• Center directors
• Social workers
• Parents

An integral part of the curriculum is direct exposure to infants and toddlers in a working Montessori environment.  By attending some classes at the Montessori Children's Center at Burke, students have the opportunity to observe a year-round, all-day Montessori environment in action.  By observing interactions between children and adults, between children and their environment and between children, adult learners observe the marvels of child development.

Academic phase

Curriculum includes:

• Montessori philosophy and pedagogy
• Child development
• Physical health and care during pregnancy and childbirth
• Design and preparation of responsive environments
• Communication with the child, family and community
• Importance of observation and techniques
• Personal growth and development
• Strategies for managing an effective program
• Working collaboratively with administrators and assistants
• Child care issues in today’s society

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 Montessori Infant or Toddler environment. This is a paid position in most schools.  The student teacher works under the supervision of a certified Infant and Toddler Montessori teacher -- or in a self-directed environment with the guidance of a CMTE/NY consultant – for a minimum of three hours per day, five days per week.

During the practicum phase, a representative from CMTE/NY will visit the student for three on-site consultations.   Additional fees apply for consultations outside the U.S. or beyond a 100 mile radius of the nearest field consultant as well as for additional consultations deemed necessary.

 Schedule

• Classes meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Required practice labs take place Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• A special all-level evening session will be held on July 20, 2010.

The course is designed to take place in one summer with the option to take it over the course of two summers:

• 1 summer – 5 weeks
• 2 summers -- 2½ weeks each