Pre-requisite

Minimum of a High School Diploma. A four-year college degree is recommended. The student may be working toward a BS or BA. Prospective students should be proficient and fluent in the English language in both verbal and written skills. Student must have an early Childhood Montessori Certificate or the required Early Childhood pre-requisite course of 35 hours.
The sequence of training in the AMTE Program

Section I: Written Assignments (200 Clock Hours)
Readings covering principles and philosophy of Dr. Montessori and other child development theorists. Assignments to include, written papers, observation and research.

Section II: Academic Classes at the Training Site (210 Clock Hours)
  • Academic Classes will consist of both summer classes and four weekend workshops during the school year.
    Montessori Early Childhood pre-requisite:
  • Summer classes: 5 weeks, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., M-F
    Plus 4 Saturdays scheduled later in training to be announced.
  • Lectures on: Montessori Philosophy and Pedagogy, Child Development, Environmental Design, Administration
  • Curriculum presentations with Montessori Materials in the following areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Subjects: Science, Art, Music/Movement
  • Supervised Practice with Montessori materials
  • Observation
  • Material Making

Section III Practicum in a Montessori School (480 Clock Hours)
This apprenticeship period provides the student the opportunity to work with a supervising teacher in a classroom environment that utilizes the Montessori Philosophy and Principles. The students will make seven observations in community programs, Montessori programs, and clinical settings. One will be at the infant level birth to 1, one at the 12 months to 24 month level, and four at the toddler level of 24 months to 36 months, and one at the 3-6 year level.
Also during this Section, the student:
  • prepares a research project or a curriculum development project
  • completes six albums in these areas:
    1. Philosophy
    2. Child Development
    3. Practical Life
    4. Sensorial/Language
    5. Number readiness/Science
    6. Music/Art/Movement)
  • writes a monthly self-evaluation (six)
  • creates a work job for the environment each month
  • is evaluated by the Supervising Teacher four times
  • is observed and evaluated by the TEP Intern Supervisor three times or six times if doing a self-directed internship.

No part of the practicum may precede the beginning of the academic phase of the course.
Section IV: Evaluation (12 Clock Hours)
The Student must have completed Section I, II, and III before taking Section IV. The students are evaluated to determine competency in understanding of the Montessori philosophy and principles and use of the Montessori materials.
Evaluation consists of:
  1. Review and demonstrations.
  2. Oral examination on use of Montessori materials and philosophy.
  3. Written examinations on Montessori principles, philosophy and materials.
  4. Presentation of research project or curriculum development project and albums.
Certification
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student is awarded an Infant/Toddler Montessori Education credential (Ages Birth-3). Students without a college degree will be awarded an Associate Infant/Toddler certificate. Total Clock Hours 902


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