Siena Heights University
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY
A thorough examination of Maria Montessori's philosophy and methodology with an emphasis on the Montessori
learning environment. Examines the popular principles and techniques of education in current society and the
educators and philosophers of the past and their impact on education.
1
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
1
An in-depth study of the child's development from conception to the early elementary years. Examines the
significance of the learning environment, parent/child and teacher/child interactions, the integration of children with
special needs into the regular classroom environment, and the association between theories and data of early child
development and early childhood educational methods.
EVERYDAY LIVING CURRICULUM
The introduction to the most basic of the curriculum areas in the Montessori environment. Presents theory and
practice of the intricacies of the lesson plan for the prepared environment as well as methods and materials.
1
SENSORIAL CURRICULUM
1
An exploration of the sensorial (visual, tactile, auditory, olfactory, and gustatory) curriculum as a developmental
means by which the child integrates experiences for the development of abstract thinking. Provides opportunities to
design and make activities and materials that are "strategies for observation" by the child.
MATH CURRICULUM
The development of activities, strategies, and materials which provide the framework for implementing the
mathematics curriculum sequence. Includes the examination of the developmentally appropriate curriculum for
numeration, the decimal system, linear counting, static operations, dynamic operations, and fractions.
1
LANGUAGE CURRICULUM
1
A holistic approach to language development, including listening, talking, reading, writing, and thinking. Presents the
development of language from the child's early days through young childhood as a precursor to reading and writing.
MONTESSORI STUDENT TEACHING
6
A yearlong experience in a Montessori classroom/setting working in the capacity of a supervised teacher. Requires
a minimum of 725 contact hours, accompanied by seminars.
Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 2016-2018
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