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This course surveys three millennia of educational thought, focusing on the big picture aims and curricular-pedagogical frameworks in Western education. We’ll start with the emergence of curricular education in antiquity, follow the development of classicism through the 19th century, and then examine burgeoning progressive movements. Montessori will be considered as a third historical alternative to these two schools.

Anna Smiley

Montessori Elementary Guide

This course is a partnership between Montessorium and The Prepared Montessorian Institute. Montessorium is a Montessorian school of educational thought, one grounded in philosophy, history, and the humanities. We will see how the current status quo emerged from conflicting ideas & understand Montessori’s special role on the 2,500 year timeline of education.

: Dr. Matt Bateman, Theory Instructor at The Prepared Montessorian Institute

 Non-Montessori educators & Montessori educators

Online on Zoom Video Platform. You will need a Zoom account to join the course. Sign up for a Zoom account at: 

History of Education Introduction

This course explores the broad brushstrokes history of education in the West, from Antiquity through the present. Special attention will be given to the underlying philosophies of education and to their programmatic substance, their curriculum and teaching methods.

The aim of this study of the past is to illuminate the present. Education today is a motley brew. Early childhood, K12, and higher education all instance multiple aims with multiple methods, many of which conflict and or are ineffective, and which conflicts and problems coexist without any sort of emerging framework to help make sense of them.

How did we get to this point, and what trends and patterns from history might help us make sense of this?

The cementing of (and variations within) what is now called classical tradition

The gradual rise of progressive critiques and approaches in the modern period

The Montessori approach in historical context

We will be looking at education across all ages, from birth through higher education, though different emphases will be given in different time periods in accordance with historical data and the interests of the educators and theorists living through those times.

We’ll meet every week for 12 weeks during the course. Classes will be held Tuesday nights at 8pm eastern time. 

The classes will be lectures and will meet online via Zoom. Class is 90 minutes, though we may not always use the entire time.

The readings for each class will be sent the week prior. The course will be relatively didactic, but will have ample opportunity for discussion and questions for live participants.

Week 1: February 1 - The Birth of Education in Antiquity

Themes: What is education? Education as practice first, theory second. Why did education emerge? Skepticism about education. The domains of education. Texts and methods at the dawn of education.

Week 2: February 8 - Sparta, as Inspiration and Foil

Themes: Totalitarian, public education. Systematic education. Educating for public virtue. The “whole-child” pedagogy of the spartan system. Endorsement and critique.

Week 3: February 15 - Plato’s Intellectualization of Education

Themes: Virtue as fundamentally intellectual; education as fundamentally intellectual. Ethics and epistemology as inputs to education. Education and social reform. Math, logic, dialectic, and virtue. Elitism in education, in Plato and prior.

Week 4: February 22 - The Path to the Liberal Arts

Themes: From Plato to Martianus Capella. The seven liberal arts: the trivium and the quadrivium. Academic learning for the first millennium AD. From De nuptiis to Aristotelian scholasticism.

Week 5: March 1 - Pansophism and Pictures

The Renaissance reaches education: learning from experience, rejecting authority. Comenius’s vision for education reform. The Orbis Pictis as a textbook. Classicism in the Enlightenment.

Week 6: March 8 - Enlightenment Philosophy of Education

From moderate independence of thought to increasingly radical freedom of thought, choice, and interest. Locke’s moderate program. Rousseau’s radical program. The lack of implementation of either.

Week 7: March 15 - Education in 19th c. America

The status quo. Webster’s speller. Classicism… still! Generalism vs. specialization in education in America. Emersonianism. From a society without systematic education to progressivism about institutions.

Week 8: March 22 - The Birth of Social Science

Education finds scientific footing? Early psychology, sociology, developmental medicine and science, learning disorders, and more. Early attempts at engineering an pedagogy scientifically.

Wilson, Tocqueville, and progressive technocracy. The rejection of classical education. American Pragmatism meets Enlightenment natural philosophy. The relative lack of programmatic substance in progressive educational institutions.

A “progressive” approach—rejected by progressives. A detailed programmatic plan, to a fault. Education reform reaches early childhood. Education reform and the dark realities of the first half of the 20th century.

Contemporary learning science. The ossification of K12. Progressive and classical educators try to meet the moment. Higher education, standardization, credentialing, advanced/specialized degrees. Science education comes into its own.

Was “the factory model” ever a thing? Is the way forward in education paved by research? How do we make sense of modern policy and pedagogical debates and issues, like school choice and STEM education, in light of history? Are there any emerging consensuses in the field of education, and if so, what is driving them? A discussion of these and other issues that have emerged in the class.

There is no coursework. It is highly recommended that you complete the readings before each class, as they will be assumed as context.

Who is this course perfect for?

What I will walk away with?

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Can I register for the series after it has started? 

Do you issue Certificate of Attendance for taking this workshop?

I have a promo code, but how do I enter it?

Dr. Andrea Barrientos Soto, PhD., Grupo de Investigación sobre Valores Emergentes, Educación Social y Políticas Educativas

Matt Bateman is our Montessori Theory Trainer and Educational Historian. Matt earned his BA from Sarah Lawrence College. While there, he worked in their Child Development Center researching the nature of early personality development in children. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied the history of thought in philosophy and psychology. Matt brings to Prepared Montessorian his expertise in intellectual history and experience in teaching in higher education. He serves as a Montessori theory trainer for all levels and works with other trainers and trainers-in-training in keeping the organization’s depth of theoretical understanding fresh, consistent, and sharp. He is constantly pushing himself and others to better understand the pedagogy of teacher training.

Brandon Lisi

Curator of Collections, Archives, & Exhibitions Sharon Historical Society & Museum

This course surveys three millennia of educational thought, focusing on the big picture aims and curricular-pedagogical frameworks in Western education. We will see how the current status quo emerged from conflicting ideas & understand Montessori’s special role on the 2,500 year timeline of education. We’ll start with the emergence of curricular education in antiquity, follow the development of classicism through the 19th century, and then examine burgeoning progressive movements. Montessori will be considered as a third historical alternative to these two schools. 

Schedule Coming Soon

Designed for practicing Montessori educators, school leaders, and lifelong learners who continually seek opportunities to hone their craft, deepen their knowledge, and improve their practices. These courses incorporate the latest developments in Montessori and feedback from extensive classroom observations.

Read the description and register for any of our course offerings by clicking on the specific link.

Attend the live and online session via Zoom, absorb the knowledge, and question away! We encourage you to be on your web camera if you can so we can interact.

We are always learning as a training institute so we would truly appreciate your feedback in our post-course survey. We will use it to evolve our programming.

Continue to grow in your Montessori knowledge journey. Review our courses, register for another course, and/or send us ideas via our contact form.

Answers to your most frequently asked questions

As long as you are registered, you will receive information about how to access a recording of the course for up to a week after the event. The recording will expire as noted in your follow-up email. Please be sure to check your spam folder as the email will come from hello@preparedmontessorian.com. 

Note that we do not process certificates of attendance for watching recordings. 

We do issue attendance certificates for LIVE attendance of the Montessori in Practice Short Courses. 

You will need to attend the course live on Zoom on the scheduled date and time AND log into Zoom via the email address you registered with on Eventbrite in order for us to verify your attendance. You will receive an email following the course with more details on how to obtain your attendance certificate.

Please note that The Prepared Montessorian Institute is an independent Montessori training centre with an operating license in the State of California, United States. Even though The Prepared Montessorian Institute offers MACTE-accredited Montessori Teacher Diploma program, this course falls outside of the MACTE accreditation. We cannot guarantee that our Certificate of Attendance for the course counts towards your local requirements for professional development credits. Please check the requirements with the relevant agency in your state or jurisdiction.

You will need to enter the promo code PRIOR to checkout. When you select your ticket, you will see in blue text on the upper left hand corner, "Enter Promo Code." Click on "Enter Promo Code," enter your promo code (it's best to copy and paste), and click "Apply." You should see the discount apply in your order summary to the right. 

The Children’s House Master Class is an opportunity for experienced Guides who are already trained to deepen their knowledge in the area of Math. The purpose of this training is to align Guides from different training courses and discuss advanced Montessori teaching practice.

This is a 4-hour course from 4:30 - 6:30 pm Eastern Standard Time divided between two days: November 3 and November 4.

The Children’s House Master Class is an opportunity for experienced Guides who are already trained to deepen their knowledge in the area of Language. The purpose of this training is to align Guides from different training courses and discuss advanced Montessori teaching practice.

This is a 4-hour course from 4:30 - 6:30 pm Eastern Standard Time divided between two days: November 17 and November 18.

The lesson planning workshop is a key practice of a successful Montessori Guide. In this course, we will discuss strategies for how to know when a child is ready for the next lesson and how to stay organized while keeping individualized lesson plans for rapidly changing developmental and academic needs. Focused on lesson planning for ages 0 - 6 years.

Thank you for those who attended in August 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events.

In our communities we aim for more than “classroom management.” We aim to be effective leaders! Montessori is based on the idea of non-compulsory education. In this 3-hour workshop, we will discuss how to set children on the path towards self-discipline and how you can become a confident leader in your environment.

Thank you to those who joined on August 25, 2021. Stay tuned for future offerings! Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter for latest information. 

The Montessori method focuses on training senses as a prerequisite for the acquisition of reading and writing skills. Language development is supported by a number of activities that stimulate communication skills and vocabulary development. The English Language Literacy Course is a program that offers lessons to introduce children to writing and reading by introducing letter sounds, sand paper letters, materials for matching objects and cards, and other Montessori materials to support the progression of the English language in ages 3-6.

Thank you for those who attended in September 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events.

Montessori strategies can be implemented from birth, and expanded upon as the child grows in abilities and independence. In this session, we will discuss basic principles for working with children ages 0-3, including ways to support a child in achieving independence, engaging in concentrative work, acquiring language, and absorbing healthy social interactions.

The Children’s House Master Class is an opportunity for experienced Guides who are already trained to deepen their knowledge in the area of Practical Life. The purpose of this training is to align Guides from different training courses and discuss advanced Montessori teaching practice.

Thank you for those who attended in October 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events.

The Children’s House Master Class is an opportunity for experienced Guides who are already trained to deepen their knowledge in the area of Sensorial. The purpose of this training is to align Guides from different training courses and discuss advanced Montessori teaching practice.

The cost is $45. Thank you for those who attended in October 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events.

Hone your craft as a Montessori educator or school leader. Our professional development courses and workshops are designed to refresh and upskill you with targeted knowledge, skills, and practical experience to become more effective with children and communities under your care.

Register for the Course

A Montessori classroom functions in a beautifully designed manner. This seminar series explains what it takes to orchestrate a vibrant Montessori classroom so that it provides children with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently accomplish anything. You will discover how a Montessori classroom functions, how the methodology was developed, and how each aspect of the classroom works together in harmony.

This course blends intensive seminars and discussions about how the Montessori classroom works, with deep-dives into specific Montessori lessons and how they integrate with the whole curriculum. Discover how each facet of the child is developed through careful preparation of the learning environment and of the teacher. You'll engage in live online classes, perform pre- and post-class assignments, build a foundational set of lessons in our album study and practice your lesson planning and observation skills. For the self-study time, you should put aside about 5 hours weekly to complete the assignments. 

This course is the first component of the 

Teacher Certification Program. By signing up for this course only, you are NOT automatically enrolled into the teacher certification program. To enroll in the full certification program, please learn more and apply 

If you take the course and decide you'd like to apply for the certification training, you must submit a full certification application within 30 days from completing the seminar course. The $995 cost will be deducted from your certification tuition.

Certified Montessori teacher who would like a refresher

Administrators who want a solid foundation of the age range and the specific needs

Assistant Guides who would like to deepen their knowledge without the commitment of a lead guide certification

Homeschooling parents who would like to adopt the Montessori approach

The course consists of 20 days of seminars covering more than 40 topics. Please see a list of example topics covered below.

The Art of Presentation and Analysis of Movement

Lesson Planning Best Practices and Workshop

The cost is $995. As part of the course, you will get 6-month free subscription to access all the digital Albums for the program level you sign up for. After 6 months, you can choose to keep your subscription for $20/month or $200/year. The Album consists of 200+ lessons (0-3 years old) and 600+ lessons (3-6 years old) with written instructions and/or video presentations.

View upcoming cohorts

to see the upcoming cohort before submitting your registration form.

Subhalaxmi Pratihari 

Prepared Montessorian Graduate 2020

Submit a question in the contact form at the bottom of the page

Email us at hello@preparedmontessorian.com

A Montessori classroom functions in a beautifully designed manner. This comprehensive seminar series explains what it takes to orchestrate a vibrant Montessori classroom so that it provides children with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently accomplish anything. You will discover how a Montessori classroom functions, how the methodology was developed, and how each aspect of the classroom works together in harmony. 

Access the On-Demand Course

This course provides the foundational principles for bringing the Montessori methodology into the home. It's designed for implementing a full-day Montessori experience for children from birth to age six in a manner aligned with a Montessori school environment. It is 100% online and asynchronous and requires no prerequisite certifications. For many of our graduates, this course has opened up doors to career opportunities across the globe. 

Upon registration, you will immediately receive the link to the course landing page where you will find all the course resources, including instructor's welcome, 16 hours of video content structured over 8 modules, links for quizzes and personal reflections, and list of downloadable resources and handouts. 

If you have any questions about the course content, you can email us at hello@preparedmontessorian.com to get in touch with our training team or book a call directly with our course instructor for a live meeting.

You will have permanent access to the course landing page, including all the videos and resources. You can download all the resources to help you implement Montessori in the home environment and re-visit the course videos anytime you need.

you'll complete the registration form which includes payment.

 Then, you will receive instructions to your email on how to access the recordings.

Whether you are just discovering Montessori, or have previous knowledge and experience, this course will provide a foundation for bringing a full-day approach to learning that honors children’s interests and developmental needs.

Montessori in the Home is an overview of the key elements crucial for supporting child development during the first six years of life. The course provides foundational knowledge of Montessori theory and practical strategies for adults implementing a Montessori approach at home. It starts with an introduction to Montessori education, including the history and an overview of Montessori child development theory, core child goals and the adult’s role in a Montessori environment. The course then delves into the components of the Prepared Environment, methods for inspiring children to purposefully engage with the Montessori curriculum, and provides guidance for fostering independence and the development of self-efficacy in young children.

We discuss our hopes for adults of the future and peek into a Montessori Nido Environment to discuss what children are capable of from the earliest ages.

We look at our overarching goals for children, and human beings, and discuss some ways we can support these goals with the children in our lives.

Who was Maria Montessori and how did she respond to children?

Did you know that the first Montessori school opened in 1907? And that it was a doctor, not an educator who discovered this method? We look at Dr. Montessori’s approach to observation and how we incorporate these observations into our methodology and curriculum today.

The Montessori approach relies on three interconnected elements: the child, the adult and the environment. We discuss how they relate to each other, and the adult’s responsibility in preparing and connecting the child to the environment, and stepping back to allow for choice and concentration.

We explore the early life of Maria Montessori, who drew upon her training as a medical doctor in her work with children. While she had no formal training as an educator, her observations and methodologies revealed to the world new possibilities for children. She discovered that children were capable of far more than anyone had imagined, & she dedicated the remainder of her life advocating for the rights of the child.

The Montessori approach is founded on some key ideas uncovered by Dr. Montessori’s astute observations of children. These include the Four Planes of Development, Human Tendencies, the Absorbent Mind, Sensitive Periods and the importance of the Prepared Environment. We explore these concepts and narrow in on the characteristics of First Plane of Development, ages 0-6. We will unpack the “Montessori Equation,” & discuss how adults can support a child’s development by connecting the child to the purposeful activity within a prepared environment.

The Prepared Environment is an essential element of the Montessori approach. We discuss the concept and introduce the physical and non-physical aspects of the Prepared Environment. We dive deeper into the aspects we can see and touch, but also emphasize the importance of the invisible things, such as routines and expectations.

We continue exploring the physical aspects of the Prepared Environment. We look at each area of a home environment and give examples of how each area of the home can be set up to support independence on the part of the child.

We will discuss how consistent routines feed a child’s sense of order and support overall development. We discuss the importance of routines, including the Montessori uninterrupted Work Period, the purposeful use of the materials and dive deeper into the role of the adult. We also discuss each building block of our day with children, including mealtimes, outdoor time, and sleep.

When comparing a newborn to six-year-old, it is impossible not to see a completely transformed individual. In this module, we’ll discuss the areas of the Montessori Curriculum from birth to age six, with a focus on Psychosensory Motor Development, Practical Life, Language, Sensorial, and Math.

We will discuss Montessori as non-compulsory education. In some ways, it is much harder to inspire children than it is to force them. However, if we genuinely wish to educate the whole person, we do not have any choice but to motivate them. We will discuss the tools you have at your disposal to inspire children to work.

One of our strategies for inspiring children is to give them the gift of knowledge. After we prepare the environment, our next responsibility as the adult is to connect children with the environment. We will explore one of the most important secrets of the Montessori Adult: the presentation of a material. We will also discuss the art of “leaving,” so that children can engage and concentrate independently.

We will discuss how to set children on the path to self-discipline, starting with leading by example. First, we must build a trusting relationship with the child before anything else. Then we must give the child knowledge of the behavior we hope to see. Next, we connect children to the Prepared Environment, setting limits when necessary and reinforcing them consistently.

In this last module, we share our Getting Started Packet, designed to offer recommendations for adults in implementing a full-day Montessori approach at home. We share resources for Activity Planning and end the session with general questions and answers.

Get answers to our frequently asked questions

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Jenna, parent of two

Adult Learner Testimonial

Our most popular course. Bring Montessori into the home with this introductory course for parents and caregivers currently designing learning experiences for children in their own homes. This course will guide and orient you to craft full days of meaningful work for children ages 0-6.

View Schedule and Register

This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to learn about Montessori, revisit the principles of the Montessori Method, or is simply interested in human progress. While it functions as a standalone course, Introduction to Montessori is also the first module of the Montessori in the Home course. It covers aspects of working with children of all ages, but with a special focus on the 0 to 6 age range. 

This workshop is an introduction for those who are beginning to learn about Montessori or want to revisit the principles of the Montessori Method. Montessori is a both a teaching methodology and a way of looking at the world. So it's not just about education; it's about the role that education should play within society. Montessori kindergartens and beautifully maintained shelves full of child-friendly activities form just a part of what Montessori is. Join us if you're curious about where the philosophy comes from, and if you want a better idea of how to put it into action with your children.

Our in-house education experts have created a comprehensive introduction to Montessori. This course is ideal for anyone new to Montessori and who wants to learn more.

Join anywhere from the world for this online live workshop that is offered multiple times a months at different schedules.

Ask any questions you have about Montessori directly to the instructor! A live course offers the unique opportunity for you to ask questions and join discussion.

This workshop has been taken by more than 15,000 parents, educators, and Montessori enthusiasts from over 50 countries. Connect with other Montessori enthusiasts like you! 

Student survey, November 2020

Student survey, May 2021

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Schedule coming soon

Looking for practical guide and tips to implement the Montessori methodology, such as toilet learning? Check out this series of short courses designed for parents, caregivers, and in-home educators looking for guidance to address specific topics to bring more independence and joy to children under their care.

Attend the live and online session, absorb the knowledge, and question away! We encourage you to be on video if you can so we can interact.

As long as you are registered, you will receive information about how to access a recording of the course for up to a week after the event. The recording will expire as noted in your follow-up email. Please be sure to check your spam folder as the email will come from hello@preparedmontessorian.com. Note that we do not process certificates of attendance for watching recordings.

We do issue attendance certificates for LIVE attendance of the Montessori in Practice Short Courses. You will need to attend the course live on Zoom on the scheduled date and time AND log into Zoom via the email address you registered with on Eventbrite in order for us to verify your attendance. You will receive an email following the course with more details on how to obtain your attendance certificate.

You will need to enter the promo code PRIOR to checkout. When you select your ticket, you will see in blue text on the upper left hand corner, "Enter Promo Code." Click on "Enter Promo Code," enter your promo code (it's best to copy and paste), and click "Apply." You should see the discount apply in your order summary to the right.

An effective partnership with parents requires a relationship built upon trust and positive shared experiences, and a willingness to share information about the Montessori method and strategies that have been helpful, both at home and at school. When we do this successfully, the result is a predictable and congruent experience for the child, setting up conditions for the child to thrive.

The cost is $35. Thank you for those who attended in October 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events.

Positive, efficient communication between the adults in a classroom is a critical element of the Prepared Environment. Without successful communication, we cannot do our work. We will discuss common obstacles to building trusting relationships with our coworkers and how to build harmony and a unified approach.

In your career, you will run across children that seem to defy understanding. However, it is your calling and responsibility to seek that understanding and help the child forward on his path to development. Observation will be the key methodology that you will use on this quest. In this session, we will learn how observation is at the heart of the Montessori pedagogy and how it can be used to troubleshoot many individual issues that will arise in your classroom daily.

The cost is $35. Thank you for those who attended in September 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events. 

Young children are in a sensitive period for language, which means they are keenly aware of not only what we say, but also how we say it. Positive phrasing is the art of brief and true statements that tell a young child what to do, instead of what not to do. In this session, we will focus on key principles for positive phrasing in Montessori communities, and how its role is effective classroom leadership.

Thank you to those who attended on Tuesday, July 6! Stay tuned for future offerings. 

Independence is at the heart of Montessori education, deeply shaping our pedagogy. In this session we will discuss how we can support this natural process within the child, including control of movement, self-care routines, care of the environment, basic communication, and social interactions.

Thank you to those who attended on July 8, 2021. Stay tuned for future dates!

Using the toilet is one of the most important ways toddlers work toward independence. Well before the active toilet learning process, you can start preparing for the process by using diaper changing time to connect with the child, communicate clearly, create consistent routines, and involve the child as much as possible.

The cost is $35. Thank you for those who attended in July 2021. Follow us on social media for upcoming events. 

ASK A QUESTION

A unique and comprehensive approach to learning about how the Montessori method came to be, how to practice it, and the science that informs the way it functions in real-life classrooms today. Designed for experienced educators looking to earn a Montessori Teacher Diploma and to those beginning their careers in Montessori education.


Take part in a customizable course which blends theory and practice, while offering student-faculty collaboration and a huge online resource library to guide you through your studies.

Control the pace of your course so that the level of intensity is right for you. The diploma can be finished in as little as one year or as long as three.


We blend theory and practice by intentionally integrating real practice into theory classes and seeing how the ideas raised in the courses manifest in real classrooms.

We have an extensive video and resource library to equip you with many ways to learn the practice and principles of Montessori education both during and after your training.

A learning experience for adults, leveraging the best tools to create a blended learning approach different from any ever used in Montessori training before.​

We've partnered with a global network of schools in order to provide a training model that allows you to work while learning.​

We offer inspiration, principles, strategies, practice opportunities, and resources—then trust you to be the driver of your own learning process.

Our extensive library of videos, readings, and exercises connect the ideas of Montessori pedagogy with concrete ways to work with children.

Reyn Gaylord

Learn More

A unique and comprehensive approach to learning about how the Montessori method came to be, how to practice it, and the science that informs the way it functions in real-life classrooms today. Designed for experienced educators looking to earn a Montessori Teacher Diploma from a MACTE-accredited institution and to those beginning their careers in Montessori education.

Register Now

The Assistant Guide Essentials Course is designed for assistant Montessori guides that are currently working in a Montessori classroom with children between 0 to 6 years old. Learners will watch session videos and complete assignments that inspire them to process the course content. This course covers the essential components of Nido, Toddler, and Children’s House environments, including how to support classroom goals, communicating with grace and courtesy, supporting Montessori presentations, and an introduction to classroom leadership.

This course consists of 10 topics. For each topic, you will watch a 90-minute session video and complete an assignment at your own pace. You will have access to learning and teaching resources that will help you put the learning into practice both during and after you complete the training. This course is designed for Assistant Guides that are currently working in a Montessori classroom with children between 0 to 6 years old.

Assistant Guides that are currently working in a Montessori classroom with children between 0 to 6 years old.

A comprehensive understanding of the Montessori method and its goals. 

Best practices for supporting independence and concentration in children. 

Tools for effective classroom leadership and communication with adults.

Clear, key takeaways from each topic to turn class knowledge into action.

Targeted for Assistant Guides who are currently working in a classroom, this course is intended to be as practical as possible. Rather than absorbing knowledge to use in the future, this course aims to offer immediate tools to a Montessori adult to grow in their practice of the Montessori approach. 

Nido, Toddler, and Children’s House Essentials

This first session introduces the core components of the Montessori approach to early childhood education. We define the Prepared Environment, the Prepared Adult, and Normalization. We will explore the importance of the uninterrupted Work Period, the mixed-age classroom, and what it means when we say Montessori "Follows the Child."

Basic Methodology and Our Goals for Children

The Montessori approach supports four goals in children. In this session, we explore how an Assistant Guide can support these goals in individual children and the classroom as a whole. This session concludes by offering straightforward tools that an Assistant Guide can immediately practice in the classroom.

The Importance of Preserving a Prepared Environment

In this session, we focus on the physical components of the prepared environment. First, we introduce the order, logic, and beauty of the Montessori materials themselves. Once we learn the physical principles, we offer practical tips for tidying Montessori materials during the day, even if you are not familiar with the material.

Assistant Guide’s Role in Supporting Classroom Routines

We cover the non-physical components of the Prepared Environment, such as routines, behavior (Grace and Courtesy), and limits. Keeping our four goals for children in mind, we offer best practices for the Assistant Guide to implement in the classroom. Our aim is consistency, regardless of which adult is leading the classroom.

We frame classroom leadership with one overarching goal for children: Self-Discipline. We examine a progression of steps to build trust with children. Traditionally referred to as "Classroom Management," we use the term Classroom Leadership to emphasize that the role of the adult is to inspire the child to take responsibility in protecting the expectations and limits of an environment.

This session relies on reflections and role-playing to challenge traditional methods of communication. We offer new strategies for a Montessori adult to use to inspire a child to self-disciplined behavior. We address commons do's and don'ts of vocabulary with young children and how to strengthen positive discipline and phrasing.

Protecting Concentration During the Work Period

With our goals for children in mind, we discuss how the Assistant Guide can support the Lead Guide in Montessori Presentations. This session focuses on three areas for the Assistant Guide to protect concentration: the concentration of the child receiving the presentation, the other children in the classroom who are independently working, and those that need to be redirected to purposeful work.

Best Practices in Nido, Toddler, and Children’s House

Since each age group looks a little different in how our goals for children are achieved, this session offers an overview of Nido, Toddler, and Children’s House. We discuss the key elements and objectives for each age group in an easy-to-understand format.

Communicating Effectively to Parents and Guides

This session focuses on extending grace and courtesy to adult communication. We cover the best practices for communication and conflict between adults: with the Lead Guide and with other Assistant Guides. We also explore appropriate interactions with parents versus what information should be communicated by the Lead Guide.

The Assistant Guide Essentials Course is designed for assistant Montessori guides that are currently working in a Montessori classroom with children between 0 to 6 years old. This version of the course can be completed asynchronously. The course consists of 10 topics. For each topic, learners will watch a 90-minute session video and complete an assignment at their own pace. Learners will have access to learning and teaching resources that will help them put the learning into practice both during and after they complete the training. This course is designed for Assistant Guides that are currently working in a Montessori classroom with children between 0 to 6 years old.

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The History of Education

Montessori Foundational Studies Seminars

Montessori in the Home

FREE Introduction to Montessori

Nido & Toddler Montessori Teacher Certification (0-3 years Old)

Children's House Montessori Teacher Certification (3-6 Years Old)

Elementary Montessori Teacher Diploma (6-12 years old)

Adolescent Montessori Teacher Diploma (12-18 years old)

Independence for Toddlers

Positive Phrasing

Lesson Planning Best Practices

Fundamentals of Classroom Leadership

English Language Guide Introduction

Toilet Learning

Nido and Toddler Introduction (0-3 years old)

Collaborating with Adults in the Montessori Classroom

How Montessori Education Works

Observation Principles