This program is intended to earn students their Montessori early childhood teacher certificate.
Students will examine the six major areas of the Montessori curriculum: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Socials, Art, Music and Movement and how they interrelate. Montessori is designed to foster learning through a holistic approach, where education takes place through movement, connects mind, body and spirit, values collaboration and unfolds through love.
This Montessori early childhood teacher certificate program includes practicum placement. The experience within a workplace enables Instructional staff to observe the student in a practice situation while providing the student with the opportunity to gain direct exposure to the chosen career field.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this program, the student will have developed a broad range of skills through the application and understanding of the following learning outcomes:
Discover Maria Montessori’s theory and vision for young children
Review the stimulating environment where children are free to respond to their natural drive to learn
Examine the six major areas of the Montessori curriculum
Analyze the relationship between the educator, the child and the environment
Measure the value of social learning and participate in active learning
Implement Montessori activities that promote ELF and SPICE
Connect nature to the learning indoor and outdoor environments
Value sensorial exploration and foster learning through the senses
Bridge the Montessori environment to the greater world environment
Identify the “sensitive periods” of growth to foster children’s development
Plan and prepare a variety of Language acquisition cards and games
Review the criteria for selection and presentation of DAP Montessori activities
Manipulate Math materials and create activity extensions
Connect order, coordination and concentration to Intellectual development
Evaluate the hierarchy of the decimal system and its functions
Link numbers, shapes and patterns to the real world
Examine living and non-living things and describe life cycles
Classify animals and plants and collect pictures
Value interconnectedness in the classroom setting and extend it to the society
Appraise family dynamics and their significant roles in children’s learning
Value emerging creativity, originality, exploration and expression
Appreciate aesthetic beauty, which in turn can foster discovery learning
Examine Art and Music healing properties
Appraise the “process” not the “product” and it’s importance in enhancing children’s development
Develop a sense of guidance rather than instruction
Implement learning that extends beyond academic learning
Appraise self-education and self-evaluation
Construct lessons promoting imagination, creativity and expression
Research interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit
Sprott Shaw College Montessori Teacher Education holds accredited status for its Early Childhood IND Montessori Teacher Education Program from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)
Programs related to the Montessori early childhood teacher certificate:
Grade 12 / GED or mature student status (all transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals)
Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and may be required to do an entrance assessment (with a minimum composite score of 42)
Preference will be given to those who can provide letters of reference detailing volunteer or professional experience working with children indicating their suitability for working in the field of Early Childhood Education
You will also need to have an interview with an instructor/director
Excellent communication skills (composition), signing a medical/criminal waiver, completing a health declaration form, submitting a criminal record check (must be Public Safety & Solicitor General: Schedule B), and clear testing for TB (All must be done no more than three months before the start date of the program)
Applicants must provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination or have a signed vaccination waiver on file
Note: English level assessment will be required for international students (with a minimum score of 20/40 in language).
Certificate Requirements:
70% average upon successful completion of all courses
Additional Notes:
Note: Child Care sites may require more current and/or additional CRC (for instance: RCMP) TB testing and/or other immunizations (to be done at student’s expense) prior to practicum and/or observing. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Practicum sites are subject to availability.
Practicum training may be conducted in shifts to accommodate placement facilities’ needs (such as 8-hour shifts).
Necessary Ministry licensing requirements will be included in the curriculum and scheduled throughout the program.
* Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Education was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.
Students can expect to complete one to three hours of homework per day.
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“I had researched a few different schools and there are lots of long waitlists. I wanted to be able to go back to school right now, and Sprott Shaw was able to get me to go back to school as soon as I applied.”
“When I first came to Sprott Shaw, I was inspired because the classrooms were small and focused on individualized learning [which is] what I needed. I knew that I was making the right decision. Now, my life is different. Now, I smile more.”
“Sprott Shaw was amazing with being flexible in terms of start date and class hours. The afternoon worked for me so they were willing to send me to a different campus if I needed a different schedule for a certain class so it’s a really personalized experience.”
“Coming to Sprott Shaw was such a great experience and all the teachers are absolutely incredible. Sprott Shaw has completely changed my life for the better.”
“Having my kids with autism proved to me that I could do this for other kids. The instructors [at Sprott Shaw College] were positive, there was a lot of classroom engagement. It made it a fun place to learn. So all in all, it was just a positive experience.”
“It was easy and quick to get in to make an appointment with the advisor and she was really helpful throughout the process. She explained to me step-by-step what I need to do, so it was nice to have that support.”