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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. | Evaluated Learning Experience

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Practical Life: Materials and Methods for the Montessori Classroom (281)

Formerly Practical Life and Sensorial Materials (180)
Course Category: 
Teacher Training Program
Length: 

Version 1 and 2: 45 hours (6 weeks) plus additional pre-recorded video content.

Location: 
Various child care facilities associated with the Caritas Training Center.
Dates: 

Version 1: April 1996 - April 2023. Version 2: May 2023 - Present.

Instructional delivery format: 
Online/distance learning
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be to: arrange  and maintain classroom areas of practical life and sensorial materials; create and use age appropriate materials and adjust all materials for these areas to meet different developmental stages; help children function in their own environment; care for the environment and increase their attention span; develop self-discipline, and refine gross and fine motor skills through practical life activities; support children's development in sensorial skills of matching, sorting, and exploration of the five senses through the use of concrete manipulative materials; and research and create materials that are age appropriate for preschool children. Version 2: Students will be able to: arrange and maintain classroom areas of practical life; create and correctly utilize age-appropriate materials, and adjust all materials to meet different developmental stages; teach children to function in their own environment, to care for the environment, and to increase their attention span, develop self-discipline, and refine fine and gross motor skills; create original Montessori lessons and present in a classroom setting utilizing Montessori principles; and exhibit proficiency in using the materials through supervised practice and individual presentations for the class and testing.

Instruction: 

Version 1 and 2: This course introduces students to the materials for Practical Life. Students learn to utilize materials familiar to children's own environment to help them in the development of an increased attention span, self-discipline, gross and fine motor skills, and a sense of independence; share in the skills of grace and courtesy and care of the environment that aid children in developing a sense of cooperation and community; explore the sensory materials which isolate each sense and aid children in sensory discrimination through matching, grading, sorting and other manipulative exercises of order and construction; arrange, maintain, and present these materials within the classroom and adjust presentations to fit the stages of development of children. In addition, students create materials that are age appropriate and serve the developing skills of the children; illustrate their presentations in an organized album for each area and write essays that summarize concepts and philosophy of the Montessori Method that are applicable to the practical life and sensorial areas. There are nine hours of supervised practice with student partners along with six hours of oral presentation.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Montessori Education (6/00) (8/06 revalidation) (11/11 revalidation) (11/16 revalidation). Version 2: In the associate/certificate degree category OR in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Montessori Education (5/23 revalidation). 

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