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“The importance of a child’s infant and toddler years cannot be overstated, for this is when the development of the personality occurs. Today, care of young children is increasing provided by people other than parents. These infants and toddler specialists need to be aware, knowledgeable, and qualified so that children will develop the skills, strengths, and support systems they need to create the foundations of the adults they will become; and the kind of world they create tomorrow.” – Virginia Vargus, CMTE NY, AMS Master Teacher Trainer
If you live in Vancouver, British Columbia, and you’re interested to work in a daycare for children from birth to three years old, you will want to know about the Montessori Infant Toddler’s training course being offered by the AMI Training Centre in British Columbia. For one time only (or at least in the foreseeable future), this course will be offered from 2009 to 2010.
The centre’s brochure provides more information about this exciting programme.
I have had a chance to visit three infants centres in Japan. (See reference to the Takane nursery under NAMTA DVD/Videos.) They are beautiful places and offer inspiration to professionals currently working in non-Montessori daycare centres. There is still much to learn and much information to share in relation to the early years!
A Mother’s Perspective
Information about the Montessori Infant Toddler programme and ideas about the birth to three years can be hard to access. A writer on a Montessori topic blog has provided her observations about this programme based on her training and experience raising her own children.
Commentary on Chapter 11 of Dr. Sylvana Montanaro’s book “Understanding the Human Being”
The Stage 2 Child (one to four months)
The Stage 3 Montessori Environment (The first few months and how a home environment is set up based on Montessori principles.)
The Stage 4 Child (Age eight to 12 months) Further notes re stage 4
The Stage 5 Child (12 to 18 months) and further notes and more notes
The Stage 6 Child (18 to 24 months)
The 2 to 3 Year old Child
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Other Resources
*Infant Toddler Training
If you cannot attend a longer, full-time programme, consider the North American Montessori Centre’s distance education programme.
* Creating a Montessori Home Environment
The Prepared Montessori Environment
Simple Montessori material for the infant toddler
Simple Montessori material – part 2
Simple Montessori material – part 3
Age Appropriate Toys (Birth to three years)
Montessori Floor Bed and More notes
Montessori Hanging Toys (From Pink House at Etsy)
More Montessori results from Etsy (some of which may inspire you to make your own items)
The famous Michael Olaf catalogue: Montessori for birth to three: The Joyful Child (includes numerous articles about the zero to three years (PDF versions).
* DVDs/Videos from NAMTA (See description below)*
In a Montessori Home: A Parent’s Guide to Preparing the Home for Children Birth to Three
Three families introduce how the Montessori philosophy is in practice in their home. The DVD covers the preparation of the home from birth to three years and describes the four main areas to be prepared in a home: sleeping, dressing, eating, and playing. As you meet Alexis (4 months), you learn how her parents have prepared her home to maximize movement opportunities and create interest at her level. Ian (7 months) is home with his father, where he is beginning to eat solid food and seeks out the different areas of the house prepared with his exploration in mind. Oliver (15 months) and his older brother, Edison (3 years), introduce you to their shared room and how they participate in family life. Learn how these families have embraced Montessori principles in their daily lives and see practical ways to incorporate these same principles into your life. (2008; 17 minutes).
A companion book by AMI Assistant to Infancy Sarah Moudry (full color, 36 pages, 11 x 8.5 inches) is also available.
| Montessori Under Three
An introduction to the Montessori infant program |
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 Edison’s Day
“Help me to do it by myself!” Every event in the day offers 20-month-old Edison an opportunity to live naturally, to discover the everyday tasks and activities of life in the home. Getting up in the morning, eating breakfast, going to school, having friends over, going out in nature, helping around the house, preparing dinner-Edison blossoms with his myriad of joyfully accepted responsibilities. The message is gentle; the accomplished level of what Edison can do is understated and unthreatening to parents who are thinking about children participating in the home for the first time. (2006; 29 minutes) |
Japanese children are depicted in prepared environments demonstrating the fullest potential of infant-toddler communities. This video makes an excellent parent education film as well as a
* Other Videos*
Bringing Out the Brilliance In Your Infant – Home Tools
“In the Beginning: The First Years of Montessori” is an American Montessori Society program for parents. The full programme is available from www.edvid.com.
* Weblogs
My Montessori House blog (covering Montessori at home and the Infant Toddler to Primary years).
Montessori Mama (Montessori education information from a Montessori teacher and Mom.)
* Helping the Developing World the Montessori Way
Montessori Around the World (Montessori programs around the world serving children in need with available resources)
* Books *
Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home from Birth to Age Three
From sleeping to eating, personal care to playing, this book helps with suggestions on how to implement Montessori in the home from the start.
How to Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way
Practical ways to incorporate Montessori methods in the home.
Link to complete content of “The Montessori Method” by Maria Montessori
Awakening Your Toddler’s Love of Learning
Infant Toddler Books available from the Montessori Foundation
