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 entrance assessments with a minimum score of 20/40 in the English Assessment.
Excellent communication skills (composition), signing a medical/criminal waiver, completing a health declaration form (or physician’s waiver), and submitting a criminal record check (must be Public Safety & Solicitor General: Schedule B). (All must be done no more than three months before the start date of the program).
For more information on English Language requirements and equivalencies please click here.
Domestic Students:
Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of English 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’, will be exempt from having to write the English Entrance Assessment.
International Students:
International students can meet the English requirement by completing or demonstrating one of the following four options:
Sprott Shaw’s English Language Assessment, OR
Minimum IELTS Score 5.5 overall or iBT TOEFL Score of 70 OR
Equivalent Standardized External Assessment, OR
Completion of an ESL program from one of SSC’s partnered ESL schools, OR
International students that can provide a Canadian transcript (or evaluated credentials) showing completion of English 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’, will be exempt from having to write the English Entrance Assessment.
Certificate Requirements:
70% average upon successful completion of all courses.
Work Experience / Clinical Requirements:
Please note certain facilities may require proof of a negative TB test. Without this documentation on the student file, it may limit practicum placement opportunities.
Additional Notes:
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.
Students can expect to complete 1 – 3 hours of homework per day.
* Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Education was reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
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This 38 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.
Skills and strategies conducive to learning in a college atmosphere, orientation to the college environment, using technology, knowing college policies and procedures.
Time management, writing and using citations, study strategies, student budgeting, and wellness/self-care/stress management.
An orientation to the PCP program and the emergency medicine professions.
Prepare for upcoming studies, learning environments, and work experience placements throughout the program.
Strategies for Student Success:
Interview techniques
Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
Apply aspects of professionalism
Identify target markets and employment resources
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 “normalization,” how children work appropriately in the environment
Value initiative, integrity, imagination, and the inquiring mind
Two week course includes 20 hours of field work (observation/exploration)
Identify the four main areas of Practical Life and plan DAP activities
In corporate the Practical Life activities into the broader context of the Montessori curriculum
Assess the Practical Life activities to promote self-esteem and autonomy
Implement Practical Life activities that promote ELF and SPICE
Measure the value of social learning and participate in active learning
This 4 week course includes 45 hours of field work (5 hours of practical experience, 40 hours of observation/exploration)
Identify the relationship between Sensorial material, pre-Math and pre-Language skills
Practice the “control of error” techniques and assess their relevant importance
Design Sensorial activities that promote ELF and SPICE
Examine the nine Montessori senses and develop relevant DAP activities
Connect nature to the learning indoor and outdoor environments
This 4 week course includes 45 hours of field work (5 hours of practical experience, 40 hours of observation/exploration)
Implement Language activities that promote ELF and SPICE
Identify the “sensitive periods” of growth to foster language development
Examine the benefits of writing before reading
Apply the “three period lesson” and evaluate children’s understanding
Differentiate between receptive and expressive language
This 4 week course includes 45 hours of field work (5 hours of practical experience, 40 hours of observation/exploration)
Formulate “quantity” and “symbol” associations and create math activities and games
Examine measurements and spatial awareness
Value practical life and sensorial activities and their impact on math discoveries
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Connect order, coordination and concentration to intellectual development
“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.”
