ECCE with Montessori Pedagogy

Course description

By observing young children, Maria Montessori came to understand what was holding these children back – adult interference. She realised that “The child’s mind is not the type of mind that the adults possess”. Freedom is the single most important factor in allowing children to develop as spontaneous, creative individuals.

How does a child discover they can walk? Do they give up the first time they fall? Do they ever doubt that they can walk? No, a young child will practice this skill with enthusiasm, determination & absolute resolve until they have mastered the skill and once mastered then it’s immediately time to move onto the next level of climbing, running & jumping.

As adults, we encourage the young child to walk, we move obstacles out of their way. We don’t restrict or prevent their progress by trying to control their movement. We don’t scold or get impatient with them if they get it wrong. Instead we silently watch, give encouragement and direction when needed, then acknowledge their efforts with a nod & a smile or a kiss & a hug or even a cheer & a clap. We understand that walking is an early learning stage in our child’s development that needs much practice and if we interfere or try to control them, we will only disrupt their progress and damage their confidence. Maria Montessori believed “Do not tell them how to do it. Show them how to do it and do not say a word. If you tell them, they will watch your lips move. If you show them, they will want to do it themselves.”

Following this course, you will understand like Maria Montessori understood, that children naturally absorb the world around them and that they blossom in self-confidence and self discipline when they are allowed to follow their innate needs.

Maria Montessori’s early learning was that just like a young child learning to walk, or holding a kitten, children gain knowledge best from the “Learning by Doing” theory as opposed to the conventional sit, listen, read and then learn. “Learning by Doing” is in essence the philosophy a Montessori teacher follows when guiding a child’s development in the Montessori school.

Portobello Institute’s Montessori Teaching course will change the way you view the process by which a child learns and their inherent ability to concentrate and grasp a complex subject when given the time and freedom to do so. Integrated into this programme, are the principles set down by Siolta the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Aistear: the Framework for Early Learning.

Qualification Gained

QQI Level 6 Major Award in Early Years Care and Education

Entry Requirements

Entry onto this programme is based on interview. At the interview we are seeking the characteristics and traits we believe essential to work with children – a calm patience, an excitement and a passion to help children explore and learn about the world through the Montessori method.

Course Content

Level 6 Major Award in Early Years Care and Education

This major award is made up of the following minor awards;

• Early Learning Environment – 15 credits
• Early Childhood Literacy & Numeracy – 15 credits
• Early Childhood Arts and Culture – 15 credits
• Work Experience – 15 credits
• Child Development – 15 credits
• Early Childhood Curriculum – 15 credits
• Childhood social, Legal & Health Issues – 15 credits
• Personal & Professional Development – 15 credits