The overall aim of the module is to provide learners with a foundation in the key elements of Montessori philosophy and the opportunity to examine the application of Montessori theory to all ages.  The module will look at the life and work of Dr Maria Montessori, examining the goals of Montessori education across what she described as ‘planes of human development’. The module will prepare the ground for applying Montessori philosophy to elderly care settings.

Cognitive Psychology is fundamental to any program which seeks to understand cognitive function, as this programme clearly does. This module provides learners with a foundation level understanding of the cognitive processes involved in learning and memory, the brain areas that are implicated in these functions and insight into cognitive impairments which result from damage to these brain areas.  As such, this module is crucial to beginning to understand the nature of cognitive impairments in people suffering from dementia and to beginning to understand how screening and implementing strategies, seek to mitigate these impairments.

This module is a core module in the award and provides learners with the background knowledge and understanding of dementia that is required in order to begin working with elders suffering with dementia. The module encourages learners to examine their own assumptions and beliefs about ageing and dementia as a basis for engaging in a person-centred care and education approach. Building on the cognitive screening in MD2 learners will develop engagement plans as an approach to social and emotional engagement with individuals with dementia, in a prepared environment.

This module represents the synthesis of the previous three more theoretical modules, providing learners with the opportunity to build on their knowledge and understanding, by developing competencies and skills in the application of Montessori philosophy to ageing and dementia settings.  This module will also allow the learner to develop communication skills and reflective abilities consistent with best practice in dementia care.