2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Montessori Preschool Curriculum Specialization	
Career Cluster:	Education and Training

CCC	
CIP Number	0413030112	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	29 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	25-9031 – Instructional Coordinators	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	 http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp 	
Statewide Articulation	 http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree AS degree program (1413121003).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Education and Training career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Education and Training career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students as early childhood education caregivers with a Montessori specialization or to provide supplementary training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

The content includes but is not limited to Montessori philosophy and method, child growth and development theories, Montessori stages of development, educational philosophies, learning environment; guidance techniques and classroom management; family interaction; legal and professional responsibilities; and employability skills.  Programs prepare individuals to assume major care giving and educational responsibilities within Montessori center-based programs (SOC 25-9031 Instructional Coordinator).  Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of child growth and development.
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of early childhood education: preschool.
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of state and local rules and regulations.
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the early childhood education profession
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge of community needs and resources.
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate methods of guidance and classroom management.
07.0	Demonstrate various observations and recording methods.
08.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the Montessori philosophy and human development. 
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classroom leadership. 
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum implementation.
11.0	Demonstrate knowledge of community involvement and partnership with families. 
12.0	Guide the physical development of three, four, and five year old preschool children. 
13.0	Guide the cognitive, language, and literacy development of three, four, and five year-old preschool children.  
14.0	Guide the creative development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  
15.0	Guide the social and affective development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children.  
16.0	Initiate and facilitate positive interaction with the child’s family. 

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Montessori Preschool Curriculum Specialization	 
CIP Number:	0413030112	
Program Length:	29 credit hours	
SOC Code(s):	25-9031

This certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree AS or AAS degree program (1413121003).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of child growth and development. – The student will be able to:	
01.01	Describe the principles of growth and development.	
01.02	Describe physical, emotional, intellectual, creative, social, and language development.	
01.03	Demonstrate knowledge of the major theories of development and the use of that knowledge in understanding growth and development.	
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of early childhood education: preschool. – The student will be able to:	
02.01	Develop plans to meet long and short-term goals.	
02.02	Implement plans to meet short and long-term goals.	
02.03	Identify appropriate teaching techniques to meet various learning styles and/or disabling conditions.	
02.04	Identify developmentally appropriate supplies and teaching materials.	
02.05	Arrange learning centers for a variety of activities.	
02.06	Implement developmentally appropriate special events.	
02.07	Maintain children's records.	
02.08	Discuss the importance of play in children's development.	
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of state and local rules and regulations. – The student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify the major areas of child care standards in Florida.	
03.02	Identify child care facilities that require licensing.	
03.03	Identify the local licensing agency and list responsibilities of that agency.	
03.04	Identify local day care standards that govern child care.	
03.05	Identify state minimal standards for screening of owners, operators, staff, volunteers, and others.	
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the early childhood education profession. – The student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify developmentally appropriate philosophies of early childhood education.	
04.02	Identify professional behavior.	
04.03	Recognize the value of self-evaluation.	
04.04	Identify professional organizations in the field and their purposes.	
04.05	Discuss the rationale for services to children and families.	
04.06	List the characteristics of a quality child development program.	
04.07	Discuss the historical, philosophical, psychological, and sociological foundations of early childhood education.	
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge of community needs and resources. – The student will be able to:	
05.01	Identify state organizations and agencies that serve children and families.	
05.02	Identify local community resources that serve children and families.	
05.03	Identify purposes and functions of local community resources.	
05.04	Identify organizations and agencies that provide services and assistance to children with disabling conditions and their families.	
05.05	Discuss ways to access community resources.	
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate methods of guidance and classroom management. – The student will be able to:	
06.01	Identify developmentally appropriate classroom management strategies: routines, scheduling, transitions, and room arrangement.	
06.02	Foster a child-centered environment based on nurturing guidance.	
06.03	List and discuss important variables in the background of children, birth through age eight, which might contribute to problem behavior, including but not limited to, physical, psychological, and behavioral factors.	
06.04	Identify and demonstrate positive guidance techniques that foster the development of self- control.	
06.05	Demonstrate developmentally appropriate classroom management strategies: routines, scheduling, transitions, and room arrangement.	
07.0	Demonstrate various observation and recording methods. – The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify and use appropriate methods for collecting information.	
07.02	Complete an observational record.	
07.03	Distinguish between collection and interpretation of data.	
07.04	Apply observational information.	
08.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the Montessori philosophy and human development. – The student will be able to:	
08.01	Demonstrate an understanding of and implements Montessori philosophy with a focus on the early childhood years; 	
08.02	Comprehend and utilize an understanding of the stages of human growth, development, and educational theories with an emphasis from two and one-half (2 1/2) through six (6) years of age; 	
08.03	Demonstrate evidence of personal growth through self-evaluation and introspection; 	
08.04	Demonstrate knowledge of developmental and behavioral norms and potential recommendations toward early intervention services.	
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classroom leadership. – The student will be able to:	
09.01	Demonstrate observation, documentation, and analytical skills necessary for planning and recording the progress of children.	
09.02	Utilize cultural sensitivity in support of the development of individual children; 	
09.03	Demonstrate an ability to implement effective classroom strategies;	
09.04	Demonstrate leadership skills and an understanding of professional standards; 	
09.05	Incorporate an understanding of administrative functions.	
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum implementation. – The student will be able to:	
10.01	Demonstrate the principles of Montessori environmental and material design;	
10.02	Articulate the rationale and sequence of the Montessori curriculum;	
10.03	Demonstrate proficiency in applying Montessori principles in the context of the curriculum, didactic materials, and lesson presentations; 	
10.04	Design and maintain a developmentally appropriate Montessori environment in response to the needs of students;	
10.05	Utilize a variety of instructional strategies and assessment methods;	
10.06	Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of governmental regulations.	
11.0	Demonstrate knowledge of community involvement and partnership with families. – The student will be able to:	
11.01	Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in communications and work with families and children. 	
11.02	Demonstrate an awareness of community resources for additional support of children and families.	
11.03	Identify and have an awareness of available professional associations.	
12.0	Guide the physical development of three, four, and five year old preschool children. – The student will be able to:	
12.01	Demonstrate knowledge of physical development.	
12.02	Plan developmentally appropriate gross motor activities.	
12.03	Implement developmentally appropriate gross motor activities	
12.04	Plan developmentally appropriate fine motor activities.	
12.05	Implement developmentally appropriate fine motor activities.	
12.06	Select appropriate equipment and materials for physical development.	
12.07	Observe and collect data on physical development.	
13.0	Guide the cognitive, language, and literacy development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children. – The student will be able to:	
13.01	Demonstrate knowledge of cognitive, language, and literacy development.	
13.02	Implement developmentally appropriate language and literacy activities.	
13.03	Implement developmentally appropriate math activities.	
13.04	Implement developmentally appropriate science activities.	
13.05	Implement developmentally appropriate social science activities.	
13.06	Implement problem solving activities which foster critical thinking skills.	
13.07	Recognize and use alternative forms of communication.	
13.08	Observe and collect data on cognitive, language, and literacy development.	
14.0	Guide the creative development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children. – The student will be able to:	
14.01	Demonstrate knowledge of creative development.	
14.02	Implement developmentally appropriate music activities.	
14.03	Implement developmentally appropriate art activities.	
14.04	Implement developmentally appropriate creative movement activities.	
14.05	Observe and collect data on creative development.	
15.0	Guide the social and affective development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children. – The student will be able to:	
15.01	Demonstrate knowledge of social and affective development.	
15.02	Implement activities that help children to develop interpersonal skills.	
15.03	Implement developmentally appropriate self-concept activities.	
15.04	Implement developmentally appropriate activities that promote multicultural understanding.	
15.05	Implement activities that help children to gain developmentally appropriate awareness of, and understanding of, oppressive beliefs and behaviors.	
15.06	Implement activities that help children gain appropriate tools for countering the hurtful impact of bias on themselves and their peers.	
15.07	Implement developmentally appropriate dramatic play activities.	
15.08	Implement developmentally appropriate group activities.	
15.09	Observe and collect data on social and affective development.	
16.0	Initiate and facilitate positive interaction with the child’s family. – The student will be able to:	
16.01	Implement parent involvement activities.	
16.02	Demonstrate interpersonal skills.	
16.03	Demonstrate positive and productive staff and parent interactions.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Special Notes

This program includes field placements (Practicum I & II) in an approved Montessori early childhood classroom under the supervision of approved instructors.  The student must successfully complete the required courses in this area of specialization.  Students will be encouraged to participate in organizations and associated activities which are consistent with their professional goals.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors.  Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Articulation

For details on articulation agreements which correlate to programs and industry certifications refer to http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp.