In Focus: Infant & Toddler

Before attending the live presentations, you will have access to a set of on-demand videos, released throughout the week, that explore core concepts for the Infant & Toddler educator. There will be 3 parts, totaling 7 Core Concept Videos. Each video will be 30 – 45 minutes in length and will contain reflection and discussion topics, as well as activities for you to implement in your classroom.

In addition to your 7 Core Concept Videos, on-demand content will include a series of virtual tours that enable you to explore high-fidelity Montessori learning environments, including the intentionality of the physical design and the selection and placement of the learning materials.

Friday, October 9: Part 1

• The Role of the Teacher, Susie Shelton-Dodge
• The Work We Do: Assisting the Unconscious Explorer, Eva Parrucci
• Home Away from Home: Exploring the Physical Environments, Elizabeth Norman
• Cultivating Healthy Social and Emotional Environments through Observation, Susan Tracy McDaniel

Tuesday, October 13: Part 2

• Positive Guidance for Infants & Toddlers, Darla Ferris Miller
• 10 Ways to Deepen Our Practice with Babies, Junnifa Uzodike
• Reflection & Refinement: Making Critical Connections with Diverse Families, Maati Wafford

Thursday, October 15: Part 3

• Developmentally Timed Transitions, Darla Ferris Miller
• From Surviving to Thriving: Supporting Infants & Toddlers During Uncertain Times, Gabrielle Holt
• Ten Ways to Deepen our Practice with Toddlers, Simone Davies
• Scientist by Nature, Sarah Moudry
• Virtual Classroom Tours

Access to the on-demand content will be available through Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

About the Virtual Tours

You will go inside 3 distinct learning environments for infants and toddler. Tour a parent-child classroom at Jacaranda Montessori School in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with Simone Davies. Explore the infant room and gross-motor space at Hope Montessori School in St. Louis, MO, with Hannah Musselwhite. And see both an indoor and outdoor classroom for toddlers at Seton Montessori School in Clarendon Hills, IL, with Elizabeth Norman.

Saturday, October 10, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (ET): Welcome
Come together with your fellow learners for this welcome session. You will receive a brief overview of the material, learn how to access and engage with it, and meet the facilitators.

Tuesday, October 13, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (ET): Q&A
Bring your questions about Montessori learning environments to this live Q&A session with facilitators Elizabeth Norman and Susan Tracy McDaniel.

Thursday, October 15, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (ET): Facilitated Discussion
Facilitators Darla Ferris Miller and Susie Shelton-Dodge will be on hand to lead a reflective discussion about the information from your Core Concept videos and answer your questions. This will be an opportunity to meet leaders in the Montessori Infant & Toddler field in addition to your fellow cohort of learners.    

Saturday, October 17, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (ET)

In addition to the live and on-demand content, you will have access to a dedicated message board on AMS Connect, where you can download handouts and access links from the presenters, continue the discussions, and post your observations after applying in your classroom what you have learned in the seminar.

In Focus: Infant & Toddler brings together Montessori experts from around the world to conduct a holistic, foundational seminar in the theory and practice of Dr. Maria Montessori’s Method. AMS is proud to present these distinguished educators as your guides:

Simone Davies, owner of Jacaranda Tree Montessori, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Author of book, The Montessori Toddler, and blog and podcast, The Montessori Notebook. AMI-credentialed (Infant & Toddler).

Gabrielle Holt, Birth to Three guide and coordinator at Montessori Country Day School, Houston, TX, and support team member for a Montessori Early Head Start program. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler).

Gina Taliaferro Lofquist, AMS senior director of education & strategic initiatives. AMS-credentialed (Early Childhood).

Susan Tracy McDaniel, MEd, founder and director of Learning Together Education, Barrington, IL. Montessori Philosophy and Child Development teacher at Seton Montessori Institute, Clarendon Hills, IL. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler). 

Darla Ferris Miller, EdD, Infant & Toddler instructor and program coordinator for Shanghai Montessori Education Academy, Upland, CA. Author of Positive Child Guidance, a birth – 12 textbook. Former member of AMS Board of Directors. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood).

Sarah Moudry, MEd, parent coach, Early Childhood consultant, and founder of Studio June, a Montessori parent and child education center, Houston, TX.Montessori-trained, prenatal – 6. Author of First Foods to Family Meals; Toilet Awareness; In a Montessori Home; and What is the Montessori Toddler Community? AMI-trained (Primary, Assistance – Infancy)

Hannah Musselwhite MA, director of Hope Montessori Infant-Toddler Community, St. Louis, MO. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler).

Elizabeth Norman, MEd, Infant & Toddler House coordinator and lead teacher at Seton Montessori Institute and Schools, Clarendon Hills, IL. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Administrator). 

Eva Parrucci, MA, academic director at Seton Montessori Institute and instructor in Infant-Toddler certification course, Clarendon Hills, IL. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Administrator).

Anna Perry, MEd, executive director of Seton Montessori Institute and Schools, Clarendon Hills, IL. AMS-credentialed (Early Childhood, Administrator).

Susie Shelton-Dodge, MAT, director emeriti and practicum coordinator, Hope Montessori Educational Institute, Lake St. Louis, MO. AMS-credentialed (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood).

Junnifa Uzodike, board member, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). AMI-credentialed (Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood).

Maati Wafford, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Barrie School, Silver Spring, MD. AMS-credentialed (Early Childhood, Elementary I).

We'd like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to Maria Gravel and Melody Patton for their work as advisors to our programming committee.

Your registration is comprised of:

• Access to all Core Concept Videos through November 17, 2020
• Access to attend all live sessions
• Access to an AMS Connect message board, allowing you to access handouts and engage in further discussion
• 13 hours of AMS continuing professional development (on completion)

Rates
We understand that Infant & Toddler guides need and want professional development. We also know that these are difficult times. Thus, we have deeply discounted the rates for this event, which offers 13 hours of CPD. (Our typical rate for an hour of CPD is $30 members, $43 nonmembers.)*

*This event does not qualify for AMS PD vouchers. Vouchers apply to webinars, online classes, and PD bundles only. Read more about how to use AMS PD vouchers.

** CPD certificates for up to 15 participants.