Concentration - Child Studies with a Focus in Montessori Studies

(also see Child Studies and Early Childhood Studies)

For Connecticut students who work in state funded preschools and wish to pursue the Connecticut Early Childhood Teacher Credential (ECTC) see Early Childhood Studies - ECTC track

The Concentrations in Child Studies are designed for early childhood education professionals who seek to make a positive difference in the lives of young children. These concentrations focus on preparing professionals to work with children in a variety of early childhood settings. They are designed to develop skills and knowledge to address the physical, cognitive, intellectual, language, social/emotional, and creative needs of young children.

Child Studies with a Focus in Montessori Studies is an option for students who have an Associate Degree in Montessori Studies or hold an approved certificate or credential in Montessori Education and want to work in a Montessori school. This concentration requires a minimum of 42 credits.

Concentration Requirements:

Requirement	Credits	Examples
Child Development	3 credits
Sociology of the Family/Family Studies	3 credits
Electives in Early childhood, Youth Development or Related	6 credits	Behavior Management, Cognitive Development, Educational Psychology, Learning Disabilities, Psychology of Play, Abnormal Psychology, Social Development, Speech and Language Acquisition
Montessori Education	12-13 credits
Student Internship; Practicum in Montessori Education	6 credits
Research Methods	3 credits
Philosophy of Montessori Education	3 credits
History of Montessori Education	3 credits
Capstone	3 credits	ECE 499 (Culminating course in concentration)
TOTAL	42
Pre-requisite: Introduction to Psychology
Pre-requisite: Introduction to Sociology
Co-requisite: A nutrition course taken in the science department, such as BIO 105 Introduction to Nutrition, or a course taken at a community college such as Health Safety and Nutrition.

 

Notes: Only grades of C of higher may be included in the concentration. Students interested in continuing on to a Master's Degree in Education or a Certificate Program should take a minimum of 18 credits in typical/atypical, child and human development. Out of state residents should contact their State Department of Education for current state certification requirements In addition, the general education requirements for Mathematics and U.S. History/Government should be met with a Statistics course for mathematics; and for CT residents, a course on the list of approved United States History courses for teacher certification in Connecticut. Out of state residents interested in teacher certification should check with their State Departments of Education for current specific course requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a concentration in Child Studies will be able to:

1. apply knowledge of typical and atypical development in children to create positive learning environments;
2. describe the diverse and complex characteristics of families and communities to establish respectful, reciprocal relationships that help to empower families;
3. explain the value of observing children as a means of assessing their development;
4. select and design developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities to promote positive development and learning for children;
5. apply current research and literature in the field to practice; and
6. value ongoing continuous professional development; and
7. apply Montessori theory and practice to child studies.