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The Enquirer,
September17, 2006
Montessori for
All Ages
Children Inc. trains method for
younger children
By Karen
Gutiérrez, Enquirer Staff Writer
COVINGTON -
Montessori soon may be available to babies and toddlers in
various day-care centers around Northern Kentucky.
Children Inc., a
non-profit agency in Covington, has launched the first effort in
the region to train teachers to use the method with children
younger than 3.
The Montessori philosophy is based on allowing children to learn
at their own pace. Within a daily structure, they select their
own work materials, which are specially designed to build on
natural developmental stages.
"They become much more independent learners, and they learn much
more rapidly," said Rick Hulefeld, executive director of
Children Inc.
The approach is typically offered beginning at age 3, to match
the level of the materials. Montessori has been adapted for
infants and toddlers, but nationwide, fewer than 15 centers
train people to work with that age group, said Anna Perry,
director of Montessori Education Centers Associated in Chicago.
This fall, Children Inc. became one of them. Previously,
Northern Kentuckians had to go to Chicago to earn the
credential.
Twelve students are in the current class, which meets one
evening a week and one Saturday a month. To become certified,
students must complete 220 hours of classroom instruction
followed by 400 hours of supervised work with children. The cost
is $4,500.
Children Inc. aims
to make Montessori accessible to children of all ages and income
levels, Hulefeld said. The agency already runs two preschools
that serve low-income families and offer Montessori from age 3
and up.
Those schools - as well as a Children Inc. center for the
children of Toyota employees - will add infant/toddler programs
when teachers have finishing training.
At the infant and toddler level, Montessori environments are
designed to encourage movement, interaction and the beginning of
language, without providing too much stimulation, said Crystal
Dahlmeier, director of Children Inc.'s training program.
Amy Frasure, a Toyota employee, said she'll be enrolling her
1-year-old daughter in the Montessori day care at Toyota when it
becomes available. Her 4-year-old, Natalie, has thrived in the
program for older children. |
The Enquirer/Ernest Coleman
Cathedral School of Montessori and Early Learning students (left
to right) Jessica Watkins, Makenna Lockard, Malie Brown and
Taylor Sturdivant watch teacher Cindy Ehler show them how to do
an assignment. |
Children Inc. plans to offer infant/toddler Montessori at these
three centers. Other teachers trained by the agency will work at
other Montessori schools in the region.
Montessori and Early Learning Academy, 419 Altamont Road,
Covington
Cathedral School of Montessori and Early Education, 1125 Madison
Ave., Covington
Imagine Tomorrow Child Development Center, 1260 Pacific Ave.,
Erlanger (for Toyota employees)
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The Enquirer/Ernest Coleman
Jordan Cobbins looks around as
he and his classmates go outside to play at Cathedral School of
Montessori |
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