Seeds of Life Montessori Academy is offering a comprehensive 36-hour course, "Neurodivergent Students in the Montessori Setting,". This course is designed for educators seeking to deepen their understanding and skills in supporting neurodivergent children within the Montessori environment.
Course Highlights:
Define Neurodivergent Students: Gain clarity on what it means to be neurodivergent.
Research-Based Insights: Discuss and explain the latest research on child development.
Executive Function Skills: Understand their importance in the overall development of the child.
Learning Disabilities: Identify various types and how they manifest in the classroom.
Autism, ADHD, Gifted, and Twice-Exceptional Students: Examine and identify these conditions to better support students.
Sensory Processing Disorder: Learn about its impact on learning and strategies for support.
Speech Delay: Discuss approaches to support speech development in the Montessori setting.
Montessori Method Adaptations: Analyze how Montessori principles can be adapted to meet the needs of neurodiverse children and their families.
Building Positive Relationships: Learn how to tailor the environment and use specific interventions to support each student.
Collaboration: Optimize relationships with staff, administration, and caregivers to create a supportive team.
Enroll today and become an advocate for neurodiverse students in your Montessori classroom!
10 modules
10 live sessions every other week
Readings
Videos
Plus 1 one-on-one coaching session
36 hours of PD
Certificate of completion
Collaboration with experts
CEU or college credit offered by Sarasota University
(Be sure to check with your state agency for specific criteria related to continuing education requirements related to your certification.)
Starting on September 10th
Ending on January 21st
Why you should take this course?
Welcome to our course on supporting neurodivergent students in the Montessori setting! As Maria Montessori once said, "Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." Starting on September 10, we will explore how to recognize and nurture the unique strengths of neurodivergent students, creating an inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
Fill out the questionnaire to get to know more about you!
Please feel free to ask questions at any time—we are here to support you on this journey.
This module introduces the fundamentals of brain development and executive function skills, emphasizing their critical role in child development. It will cover key concepts of executive function, examining how these skills evolve and support learning and social interactions.
Brain Development & Executive Function Skills (EFS)
Latest research in brain development
Executive Function Skills
Recent research for executive function
Dimensions of EFS
Examples of executive dysfunction
Signs of EFS weaknesses
EFS and ADHD
How can students develop EFS
Toolbox to teach students in the Montessori setting
Child Development
Key milestones including physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development for early childhood (0-6), middle childhood (6-12), and adolescence (13-18).
Learning differences and disabilities
Understanding your child’s legal rights can help you advocate for them.
Models (Medical & Social) of disabilities
Types of learning disabilities
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
IEP (Individual Educational Plan)
FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
This module explores Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its integration into Montessori educational practices. You will gain an understanding of the characteristics, diagnosis, and developmental trajectories of individuals with Autism. The module emphasizes the alignment of the Montessori philosophy with the needs of autistic learners.
Autism
Theoretical Aspects of Autism
Symptoms
Causes
Social skills
Communication and Interaction
Patterns of behavior
Comorbidities
Early intervention
Application of the Montessori Method in the classroom setting
This module thoroughly examines Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its implications within a Montessori educational setting. Students will explore the characteristics, diagnosis, and developmental impact of ADHD, gaining insights into how it affects learning and behavior. The course will highlight the Montessori Method’s suitability for children with ADHD.
ADHD
Challenge assumptions and learn what science tells us about ADHD.
Explain the signs and symptoms of ADHD and how it presents in children.
Identify and evaluate strategies for empowering students with ADHD.
Propose specific strategies for supporting children with ADHD in the Montessori educational setting.
Strategies you can implement to help ADHD students develop social skills
Practice cultivating an optimal mindset for teaching ADHD students
Application of the Montessori Method in the classroom setting
Learn the importance of the Strength-based Approach, and how it applies to Montessori
Explain how typical classroom strategies can be tailored to home activities.
This module delves into the unique needs and characteristics of gifted and twice-exceptional students, and how to effectively support them within a Montessori educational framework. The course will examine how Montessori principles, such as individualized learning, self-paced progress, and hands-on activities, cater to the diverse needs of these students.
Gifted
Identifying Gifted Students
Cultivating techniques for keeping them interested in school.
Differentiate your instruction to motivate and energize your gifted students.
Identify the top misconceptions educators have about differentiation.
Twice-Exceptional (2e) Students
Application of the Montessori Method in the classroom setting
Learn the importance of the Strength-based Approach, and how it applies to Montessori
Explain how typical classroom strategies can be tailored to home activities
This module will highlight how the Montessori Method, with it's emphasis on individualized learning, sensory-based activities, and a nurturing environment, can be particularly beneficial for children with these challenges.
Sensory Processing Disorder
Speech delay
Application of the Montessori in the classroom setting
This module offers a general examination of childhood trauma and its implications within a Montessori educational setting. It will highlight the Montessori philosophy's strengths in addressing the needs of children who have experienced trauma by emphasizing a structured, nurturing, and individualized approach.
Introduction to Trauma & Brain Development
What is Trauma
Who is affected
Long & short-term impacts of trauma and neurological development
Recognizing & supporting our community
Emotional & physical embodiment of trauma
Acute trauma needs vs chronic trauma and stress
Adult trauma in ourselves and parents
Behavioral management
Best practices for everyone, even with a lack of information about an individual's trauma
Modalities of intervention
Responding to disruptive behavior through 3 types of engagement
De-escalation and the 3 R's of responding to escalated people
This module provides a foundational understanding of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia, focusing on their characteristics and impacts on learning. Students will explore the neurological and developmental aspects of these learning differences, and how they affect reading, math, and writing skills.
Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia
Application of the Montessori Method in the classroom setting
This module is ideal for current and aspiring Montessori educators committed to embracing diversity and inclusivity in an early childhood classroom. Participants will explore practices and principles of Montessori education to support diverse learners, including those with special needs. Ultimately, the educator will delve into introspection to better support the child.
Preparation of the Teacher:
Breaking Preconceptions and Paradigms
Understanding yourself
Establishing a relationship with the child
Establishing a relationship with the family
This module will guide you through best practices for building your community and creating positive connections with families in your classroom.
Preparing to meet the family
Meeting the family
Working with subject matter experts
In this final module we will focus on the application of the course information and offer, discuss, and review student case studies for practical application.
Preparing to teach an inclusive class
A teacher’s experience working with neurodivergent children in the Montessori classroom
Book your one-on-one coaching session with Maria Chaffin.
About
Maria Eva Chaffin is originally from Venezuela. She holds a Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education, a Master’s Degree in Business Education, a Bachelor’s in Special Education, and a Montessori Teacher Certification in early childhood. She has over 25 years of teaching experience and has been in the Montessori field for 15 years.
Maria Eva is a published co-author and has written numerous reference materials for Montessori teachers, including the Primary Teacher Instruction Guide for Hatching The Cosmic Egg by Michael Dorer. Maria Eva is known globally for her expertise in the Montessori Method, teacher and administrator education, and inclusion, and for her passion to teach all children. Maria Eva has been invited to present at Montessori events around the country and host regular teacher education websessions to help teachers and administrators around the world deliver the best Montessori experience possible.
First and foremost, Maria Eva loves being a Montessori teacher and her passion for all children is endless. After over 25 years of experience teaching children, adults and neurodiverse students, Maria Eva remains convinced that the Montessori Method is the best way for all children to learn.
About
Rosa Acevedo found her passion for teaching through the Montessori Method after being a traditional teacher and a tutor for elementary-aged children and young adults. She discovered that the main thing that worked for her as a teacher to get to her students was connecting individually with the child. She began seeking a different approach to help students learn and become a better teacher for them through courses in Educational Therapy and opened her own tutoring center. After being a traditional teacher for 5 years, she decided to pursue her certification on Montessori as a guide for Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Mrs. Rosa is a dedicated teacher who is passionate about children’s learning process and development, and a focused individual with an excellent work ethic. She is a person with a caring nature, goal-oriented, and a great team player. She is fascinated to observe a child discovering the wonders of the world through the Montessori lessons and the joy of a child offering and presenting a lesson to another child. She loves all the curriculum areas, particularly, the Math and the Cosmic Education.
Our Team of
Trauma Informe Lenses
Intentional Connections
Child Development
The Young Montessorian
Brain Development
Maria's Story
"He asistido por varios años consecutivos a las conferencias de Maria Eva Chaffin en los eventos anuales de AMS (America Montessori Society), y siempre quedo encantada con su contenido y las estrategias para utilizarlas en aula. Responde a tus inquietudes de una manera muy dinámica y está dispuesta a ayudarte y a colaborar con todo el tema de inclusión y necesidades especiales en aula. Admiro su trabajo y la recomiendo muchisimo."
I have had the pleasure of knowing Maria personally and professionally, and I can confidently say that her dedication to education and innovative approach to working with neurodivergent students are truly remarkable. Her latest course, focusing on neurodivergent students in the Montessori setting, is a testament to her commitment to inclusivity and deep understanding of diverse learning needs. I enjoyed watching her in action work with teachers in Zimbabwe grappling with environmental design for children with learning differences. Maria’s expertise is not just theoretical; she has hands-on experience working with adults and students, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge and compassionate insight to her teaching. Her ability to connect with individuals on a personal level, coupled with her profound respect for each person’s unique journey, makes her an exceptional educator and advocate.
I am excited to see her course's positive impact on educators and students alike, and I wholeheartedly recommend her work to anyone seeking to enhance their understanding and support of neurodivergent learners.”
FAQ section
Eastern Standard Time
Yes, each live session will be recorded.
1 year
Live sessions will take place via Zoom every other week on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm EST.
You can check the description of each module to see the exact date for each live session.