MSR TEP Infant/Toddler Course Catalog This catalog provides a high-level overview of the academic and practical requirements for the Infant/Toddler Teacher Education Program at The Montessori School of Raleigh.
101: Infant/Toddler Environments ● Instructor: Cathy Bocklage ● Total Hours: 36 Hours ● Course Description: This course explores the design of developmentally responsive spaces for the Nido and Infant Community. It integrates Montessori philosophy with modern safety regulations and adaptive design to support the physical and psychic needs of the child. ● Major Projects: Environmental Design Portfolio, Classroom Safety Checklist, and a Floor Plan.
102: Pedagogy ● Instructor: Lauren Anderson ● Total Hours: 26 Hours ● Course Description: Focuses on culturally responsive caregiving and daily routines, specifically addressing the "Pedagogy of Care". Topics include Care of Self (feeding, toileting), Care of the Environment, and Grace & Courtesy. ● Major Projects: Practical Life Album, Sensorial Album and a Routine Design Project.
103: Philosophy ● Instructor: Cathy Bocklage ● Total Hours: 24 Hours ● Course Description: An exploration of Montessori's theories on the first plane of development. Highlights include the Absorbent Mind, Sensitive Periods, and the spiritual preparation of the guide. ● Major Projects: Professional Theory Binder, Montessori Life Timeline, and Peace Education projects.
104: Observation ● Instructor: Lauren Anderson ● Total Hours: 20 Hours ● Course Description: Students master scientific recording techniques to track developmental milestones while removing adult bias. ● Major Projects: Comprehensive Observation Portfolio featuring Running Records and Time/Event Sampling.
105: Early Childhood Overview (3-6 Bridge) ● Instructor: Laura Morrison ● Total Hours: 24 Hours ● Course Description: Examines the 3–6 Montessori curriculum through the lens of the Infant/Toddler practitioner to ensure pedagogical continuity during transitions. ● Major Projects: Curriculum Mapping and Material Analysis of Primary materials (e.g., Pink Tower, Golden Beads), The 0–3 to 3–6 Bridge Paper.
106: Program Leadership ● Instructor: Lauren Anderson ● Total Hours: 21 Hours ● Course Description: Provides a framework for administrative and pedagogical leadership, focusing on ethics, conflict resolution, and program wellness. ● Major Projects: Leadership Action Plan and Professional Ethics Statement.
107: Child, Family, and Community ● Instructor: Cathy Bocklage ● Total Hours: 21 Hours ● Course Description: Focuses on building a "Bridge of Trust" between home and school through parent education and community support. ● Major Projects: Family Resource Library and Inclusive Workshop Proposal.
108: Personal Growth and Development ● Instructor: Lauren Anderson ● Total Hours: 20 Hours ● Course Description: This course focuses on the "Spiritual Preparation of the Adult," exploring the internal transformation required to serve infants and toddlers with calm objectivity. It provides a framework for emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and the development of professional boundaries within the Montessori context. ● Key Topics: Foundations of Inner Preparation, Emotional Intelligence (RULER framework), Mindful Communication (NVC), and Identity and Bias Reflection. ● Major Projects: Personal Growth Plan (PGP), Prepared Adult Journal, and Identity & Cultural Lens Analysis.
109: Child Development: Prenatal to Three Years ● Instructors: Cathy Bocklage & Lauren Anderson ● Total Hours: 45 Hours ● Course Description: A deep dive into the neurobiology and psychology of the first three years of life. The course links developmental milestones from conception to age three with Montessori practice, specifically focusing on Sensitive Periods, attachment patterns, and the emergence of the "Will". ● Key Topics: Prenatal Development, The Birth Experience, Attachment Theory, the "Language Explosion," and the development of the mathematical mind. ● Major Projects: Developmental Timeline (Prenatal–3), Comparative Theory Essay (Montessori, Piaget, Vygotsky, Bowlby, and Erikson), Language Album, and Environment Design Project.