Montessori Education

The Child Development/Montesorri Education Program at Siena Heights University prepares students to work with young children while promoting quality programs for children and their families. Graduates gain education, skills and experience that prepare them for a variety of careers in early education and care.

FAST FACT – Child Development students select and actively research a topic related to early childhood development with emphasis on ages birth to 8 years. Research includes rationale for topic selection, selection of sample, development of instrumentation and analysis and synthesis of data. Students are required to publicly present the results of their findings.

The purpose of the Child Development program is to establish quality programs for young children and their families and prepare competent and ethical childcare workers and educators. 

Child Development is offered as a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree with concentration in Montessori Education, a two-year Associate of Arts degree and Teacher Education endorsement (ZS) in Early Childhood Education. Students in Child Development also may pursue institute training to earn a Montessori credential through the Montessori Children’s House adjacent to campus.

The program offers a balance of educational theory and practical experience. The Child Development curriculum includes the growth, learning and development of children in three distinct age groups: Infant/Toddler, Pre-Primary and Early Primary. Course work focuses on developmental characteristics/behaviors, appropriate practices, assessment and administration.

Siena Heights University’s Division of Education was granted national accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for the full seven years, from Spring 2020 to Spring 2027. This accreditation certifies the forenamed professional initial certification programs has provided evidence of meeting all CAEP’s standards.

Learn about opportunities for field experience in centers and classrooms.

Child Development students observe and work regularly with children in schools and child development centers. Each course requires some type of field experience.

During the senior year, Child Development majors complete 320 hours at an approved placement site. The experience includes documentation of log hours, completion of lesson plans, individual child observations, responses to professional questions, daily journal reflections, list of curriculum ideas and student/supervisor evaluations.

At the completion of hours, the student is also required to meet with the Child Development faculty and submit a final report analyzing the experience and career relevance.

Students pursuing early childhood teacher certification endorsement are only required to complete 160 hours.

Click here for more detailed information about the field experience coursework.

Learn about career opportunities in Child Development.

Graduates in Child Development are prepared for a variety of careers working with young children and their families.

Career opportunities include direct service to children and families as child care program directors, lead/assistant caregivers, teachers (preschool, infant/toddler, elementary certification with early childhood endorsement), nannies, recreation leaders and early interventionists.

Careers providing indirect service include early childhood advocates, licensing specialists, consultants, researchers, consumer advocates, marketing representatives and software developers. In addition, graduates completing the Montessori concentration degree are prepared for placements with infants/toddlers (0-3) and early childhood (3-6) Montessori emphasis.

To prepare students for career placement, students compile a professional portfolio including résumé, log of field experience, professional statements and work samples. Students also participate in mock interviews which help to prepare them for future interviews.

Learn more about the T.E.A.C.H. organization(Teacher Education Association for Community Help).

T.E.A.C.H.

Mission Statement

The Teacher Education Association for Community Help (T.E.A.C.H.) is an organization dedicated to reach out and help learners of the community who are in need, by providing supplies, support, and resources to enhance one’s education.

Statement of Eligibility

Those who are eligible:

• Must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5
• Must have three credits toward either educational or child development major at Siena Heights

All SHU students who are working toward an Education or Child Development major/minor without regard to race, religious creed, gender, national origin, differing abilities, or sexual orientation are eligible to participate in T.E.A.C.H.

Membership Fees

An annual fee of $5 is required while an active member of T.E.A.C.H.

In December 2016, SHU Professor Tyler George's Social Studies Teacher Education class took part in an innovative learning experience called Twitter Chat. 


Katie Guilbault Decker 

Major: Teacher Education

What Katie is Doing: Award-Winning Principal of the Walter Bracken STEAM Academy, Las Vegas, Nev.