Monday 27 December 2021

Why is online Montessori teacher training preferred?

Montessori training is considered essential for students who will start off with regular school. It is a warming-up plan that prepares toddlers to deal with the school habit and enjoy it. The need for Montessori education has already proved its worth. However, for teachers training in Montessori, being in the right training program can prove expensive and less feasible if you wish to take in-person training, the possibility of Montessori teacher training through online course studies has encouraged enrollment from aspiring students.

Montessori training is built on a pragmatic approach that teaches students who have decided to be trained for this course to develop a pliable outlook. Flexibility in this training program is essential as that is what the lesson plan entails. Rigid plans seldom do well when you are dealing with children. Therefore the training program must include the same environment it preaches. Montessori training can be easily imparted online; students may encounter some obstacles which can be overcome with persuasion, enhancement, and innovation.


Can you take online Montessori training?


People enrolling in Montessori training online are driven with a zest to accomplish proficiency in the course. They are mature and responsible people who are building themselves to take the duty of shaping the minds of toddlers that will step out from the cocooned safety of their homes to a world that is largely new and unknown. Therefore not just providing security but safety and trust that children will unquestionably accept, online training demands self-discipline and self-teaching to a great extent.

Online Montessori training is self-paced


A certified online Montessori training institute shares its lesson plan with students from the time of enrollment. Learners can navigate their lessons independently to understand their lessons. Though classes are held periodically the way to approach the lesson is supported by large instructions directing students with a competent lesson plan to proceed and conclude the lessons within a timeframe. The lesson plan includes ways to grip the attention of students who are largely dependent on online training owing to restrictions of in-person schools after the COVID pandemic.

Learners enjoy greater independence


Online lesson plans offer greater freedom of learning and unlike restrictive classroom modes; the environment suits the comfort that the student prefers. It could be the bedroom, living room, or your workplace. You can study from anywhere without being monitored or questioned. This independence of learning can be an advantage and a disadvantage. Self-discipline has played a large role in shaping the decision of the student. You can choose to complete your course in a year or take three years. The faster you complete, the sooner will you will work in your dream profession or at the institution that you had always longed to be a part of.



An enterprising approach to home teaching


The training program after COVID in institutes that impart Montessori teacher training also involves the participation of parents. With children taking their lessons from home, the training curriculum will involve the inclusion of parents and how they can be directed in the right way to help the trainer impart lessons logically. Under the given situation, it defeats the idea of bringing children out from their home-sheltered conditions; however, revised lesson plans innovate with what is in hand. These dynamics in Montessori training make it so effective.

Conclusion


The essence of Montessori teaching lies in training toddlers through active in-person interaction which cannot be temporary. But scopes in Montessori teacher training have to address the pandemic crisis and shape lesson plans to teach aspiring Montessori teachers how new approaches must be applied to fit into the demand that the pandemic has created. This essential of the lesson remains the same but the approach demands flexibility. Enroll in an online Montessori training institute that delivers what it promises; https://mkutraining.com/ has the freshest approach to Montessori training that will prepare you for future challenges.

Thursday 16 December 2021

Am I fit for Montessori childcare careers?

Montessori teachers are driven with a special love for their profession. Before they envisage embarking on this profession, training hones their innate longing with the right education. This creates a logical platform for them to address the challenges of dealing with young infants.

Those with motivation in teaching young infants may like to take up the profession because they love children. However, though this may be an excellent reason, this alone will not make you eligible in finding a job in a Montessori school. The concept of teaching infants has become more scientific and logical. Those wanting to peruse childcare careers need Montessori training from a qualified Montessori teacher education center to land in the best Montessori schools.


Why should I become a Montessori teacher?


When it comes to selecting the right career, it is probably the most crucial decision that you will be taking in your life. It becomes essential to evaluate the pros and cons that will improve your chances and scale your opportunities once you are part of this career. Montessori training covers a range of courses and diplomas. It could be a distant course or a hybrid course that covers the course plan in stages. You can be a part of this course even if you are a professional perusing some other career but are motivated in making a switch because you love children and feel that this profession will be rewarding and the workplace difference adds an excellent impetus to your life.

Are childcare careers inspiring?


A career in childcare is more of a vocation than merely a profession. You are in the care of children whose parents have entrusted their young wards in your safekeeping. Apart from their security, they hope that the child benefits from your company as you are a trained professional who knows the best and the surest techniques to inspire a toddler or help them learn some basic life lessons through play and motivation. The most inspiring thought in this profession is, you are shaping an infant’s mind with love and directing a child to become independent in action and thought, hone their motor reflexes by creating a sense of identity and building relations that help them to conform with societal norms and etiquettes.

How popular is Montessori training?


In schools that operate on Montessori methods, you will find less chaos in the classrooms. The general impression for an onlooker will be a much orderly sight. A trainer and helper make the children more self-reliant. Children talk politely in whispers without shouting. They resolve their conflicts quickly and calmly without ruffling the mood inside the classroom. After completing their activities, children clean up. Each child concentrates on their activities without disturbing the other. Children in Montessori school go through a positive transition in their development. Montessori teacher education center contributes largely to this training that helps the trainer preserve the atmosphere within the classroom and inculcates the right disciplinary attitude in children.

Conclusion


Montessori allows children to learn and grow at their own pace. The development of a child is a balance of cognitive, social, and emotional sequences that are greatly amped by students that have undergone training from a qualified Montessori teacher education center. MKU Training Institute is one such institute that lays great importance to early childhood programs and helps students discover the philosophy and pedagogy of Montessori from its depth. A diploma from this institute will help you find yourself a dream career in one of the best Montessori centers. Visit https://mkutraining.com for details on the courses that you wish to peruse.

Saturday 27 November 2021

How to spark interest in work for your kids?

More parents are engaging in the Montessori teacher training programs to learn how to educate their children at home as the Montessori homeschooling movement grows. One of their most frequently asked topics is how to get their children to work with Montessori objects following a presentation. Using the material yourself is a good method to encourage your youngster to work with it. This gives students the benefit of watching someone else working with the material and demonstrating that it can be handled independently. Set the material out on the mat and begin working with it gently and quietly without saying anything or asking whether your child wants to join in.
 

Allow them to handle the material on their own, and sit quietly while they work. They might just be waiting for a silent invitation and a visual reminder like that. Don't get upset if they don't participate - that's fine, too. Remember that they were watching you work alone, which is a valuable lesson in and of itself. It also allows you to get some extra experience with the materials in a calm, Montessori-like setting.

Another reason your child could be hesitant to return a topic following a presentation is that they're waiting to see if you'll use it again, or they simply don't want to utilize it right now. Let the material sit on the shelf for a while to observe what occurs. Or perhaps they're just waiting to see what happens next. Are they up to the challenge? One thing we should avoid is attempting to persuade children to utilize the resources. It's important to remember that our job is to follow the child, not to force them to follow us.

As a Montessori guide, the goal is to exhibit materials, teach lessons, and then stand back and let the child work independently. This independence allows the youngster to accomplish any work they want at any time. It's simple to push our goals and will on a child, but we'll have a lot more success if we practise patience and learn to trust the child's inner voice.

MKU Training Institute offers high quality, online Montessori teacher training at the most affordable rate. Visit https://mkutraining.com to find out more.

Wednesday 10 November 2021

Reasons to Take up Montessori Teacher Training Course

Montessori education has been gaining popularity. However, the number of educators is very low. So, here’s why taking up a Montessori teacher training course can be the best decision for you.

Slowly, yet steadily; Americans are moving towards the Montessori form of education for their kids as against the education provided in public schools.

However, the sad truth is that although a large number of Montessori schools are springing up, the number of qualified Montessori teachers is unable to meet the demand. Research states that there is a shortage of almost 200 such teachers every year.

It is therefore clear that being trained as a Montessori educator at an online Montessori training institute is lucrative and promising. What’s more, for people who have the zeal to work today to change the tomorrow of today’s children, then it is the perfect course for them.

Why Montessori Teacher Training


So, here are a set of reasons to take up the Montessori teacher training course.

  • It is the perfect course for everyone aspiring to climb the career ladder. People interested in teaching or working as teachers in regular schools can take up such a course from the vicinity and comfort of their homes, while getting trained in a new and lucrative field. The figures mentioned above clearly reveal a huge unmet demand. So, enrolling for a Montessori teacher training course is undoubtedly the stepping stone to success. Finding a job would certainly not be challenging on completion of the course.
  • Montessori teachers are like none others. Unlike others, Montessori teachers are compassionate, creative and patient with the zeal to improve the life of future citizens, i.e. the children of today. The Montessori classroom does not promote competition. It is instead an example of peaceful nature and calm where young minds can grow at a suitable pace. Such an environment, unlike traditional schools is free from stress. In fact, it has a sense of well- being, enrichment and fulfilment. Teaching here is undoubtedly enjoyable.
  • Completing this course promises a financially sound future. Considering the serious shortage of Montessori teachers in the US, the salaries of Montessori teachers are bound to climb significantly. So, it is the road to a happy and financially sound life.
  • Expert advice says that when you do a job that you love, then work does not seem like work, but enjoyment. Most Montessori teachers say that they love their job and enjoy moulding young minds towards a better future. They are passionate about their job and love it. It enables them to grow meaningfully and reach their complete potential. Who would not like to take up a job that promises all the above.
  • Montessori education is different and more enriching. Unlike traditional schools, they do not conduct a lecture with a pre-determined syllabus. They neither have a requirement to memorize not do they test. Montessori education focuses on building a love for learning as against studying and memorizing forcefully. It aids children in learning and exploring, while developing practical life skills. The teachers also enjoy teaching at the student’s pace, where they are more interactive, involved and truly learning.
  • Montessori education is recognised all across the globe. So, certification can be done anywhere. In fact, the certificate is also valid in most countries. So, a person equipped with Montessori teacher certificate is eligible for a job in any Montessori school in all parts of the world.
  • Above all, enrolling in a Montessori teacher training course provides an insight into the children’s minds and their growing process. The trained teachers enjoy the additional benefit of understanding their children and help them grow better.

So, anyone with a love for transforming young minds towards a better tomorrow must enrol in such a course. What’s more, online and distance education programs help to enhance their skills without disrupting their current responsibilities.
 

 

Monday 1 November 2021

The Battle of the Titans – Montessori vs Traditional Education

Some parents prefer the traditional pre schools, while others cannot stop raving about the Montessori form of education. Parents who are puzzled with this can go through the content below to attain a clear understanding of the difference between the two.

Your tiny tot is finally ready to take its first steps to preschool. Like all other parents, you want nothing less than the best. While asking around, you hear parents raving about Montessori education. Then, there are others who are all praise for the age old proven traditional education too.



Montessori vs Traditional Education


However, the hullabaloo of Montessori education perplexes most parents in deciding between Montessori and traditional education. What’s more, thanks to the escalating demand of Montessori education, most people are also enrolling in Montessori teacher training near me in a bid to build a lucrative career.

Here’s listing out the differences between the two to help parents choose the right pre-school and make the experience joyful and memorable, while providing them with the right foundation.

  • Montessori education is more children centric as against the traditional type, which is teacher centric. A Montessori classroom is a prepared in advance and the little hands are given the freedom to do activities they enjoy; more so at their own pace. The teacher leads, schedules, orates and takes tests in a traditional set up.
  • Well, unlike popular misconception, Montessori education does not allow little ones to do what they like. Some boundaries are set here too. For instance: The child is not allowed to break or spoil the study material.
  • However, unlike a traditional setup, each child is allowed to complete the activity at his or her pace as against the traditional system of setting a timeline for all children to finish an activity or assignment. The philosophy of Montessori education lies in the fact that young minds are naturally inquisitive and eager to learn. Force and pressure, which is believed to hamper effective learning is absent here.
  • The Montessori system is based on the belief that young minds are like a sponge, which absorb oodles of knowledge and information from the right environment. So, unlike traditional pre schools where activities like dressing up, puzzles etc are placed in different corners of the room to play, a Montessori classroom has different activities (better known as work and not toys) for the child to learn. They have the freedom to choose the work they are interested in, as against its opponent where despite having different corners, the schedule of the child is pre-determined about where and when, what has to be done.
  • In a Montessori classroom, children do their work and learn through practical methods with special material designed for the Montessori form of education. In traditional classrooms, learning is through oration, where teachers give a lecture that is rarely coupled with practical exposure.

So, once you have understood the key differences between traditional and Montessori education, you need to do your homework on the school that is best for your child. Asking for recommendations from friends, relatives and neighbors is a great way to reach the perfect destination.


Well, if all this information about Montessori education entices you to become a Montessori teacher, then MKU training is the right destination. It boasts of a team of experienced Montessori tutors, an environment conducive for learning, appropriate and vast course material and everything else.

For further details, contact them at https://mkutraining.com

Monday 18 October 2021

The Unique Qualities of Montessori Teachers

Montessori education is gaining immense popularity. One of the reasons is the qualities that these teachers have, which sets them apart from the rest. So, here’s the list of qualities Montessori teachers proudly boast of.

The love for teaching and the passion to create good future individuals of today’s children are traits not found commonly. Well, there are a selected few who truly have the desire and zeal to teach. However, having a desire to teach and handling students across varied age groups in a classroom setting are as different as they can be. Here’s where the role of Montessori training center comes in.



The need for Montessori training


The right Montessori training center like MKU training boasts of a team of experienced faculty who are experts in their field and ensure providing the best training in a bid to provide the right skills to all those who love teaching. They ensure building the skills required by Montessori teachers.

To understand the characteristics of good Montessori teachers, it is important to first understand the environment of an ideal Montessori classroom.

It is not like a typical classroom, where the teacher presents the lesson while the students listen. In a Montessori classroom, all the children are occupied with their own work. They are completely engrossed in their work, which they mostly do in a group along with a guide.

Montessori education relies on a completely prepared environment. The children come and get involved in this environment, while learning and exploring new things every day. The material used in this environment is specific to Montessori education. It is created in a way that children can figure out errors and rectify them too. However, a guide in the form of a well trained teacher assists them efficiently. As the Montessori education is ways apart from regular education, it is important for teachers to understand this method and guide the children in accordance.

Qualities of a Montessori Teacher


So, here are the characteristics Montessori teachers develop through the course so as to carry out this unique form of education in its true spirit.

  • She is calm and patient with the children.
  • She does not put the focus on herself or her preaching. Instead, the focus is on the child who is busy learning and exploring.
  • She is well versed with the unique material and teaching methodology of Montessori education.
  • She is responsible for building the connection between the children and materials.
  • She is respectful as she treats the child as a unique individual.

Besides the qualities imbibed through the teacher training program, Montessori teachers have other innate qualities that make them the perfect fit for their job.

  • Warm and pleasant
  • Communicates lovingly with other staff too.
  • Models expected classroom behavior
  • Is sensitive and knowledgeable
  • Observant
  • Thorough professional

Montessori education is different from the regular education system; therefore, the popularity. So, Montessori teachers are undoubtedly a notch above the others. Categorically, MKU training gives that much needed edge to its students through the Montessori teacher certification program.

For other details, contact them at https://mkutraining.com

Monday 4 October 2021

Encouraging babies to use maximum effort daily

Maria Montessori created this teaching system after spending a lot of time observing small children. She recognised some characteristics in youngsters under the age of six, one of which she named Maximum Effort.

As is often the case, this term appears a little cryptic at first, but once understood, it becomes crystal plain. The online Montessori training teaches about the various stages of exerting maximum effort.

Maximum Effort is particularly noticeable during the toddler years.



Find out about Maximum Effort in every age


Newborn babies may spend a few moments each day fussing with their fists in the air and twisting their heads from side to side, using their maximum vocal strength. This is very normal. Children of all ages will go through a wide range of emotions, from resting calmly to exercising every muscle in their body.

Allow your newborn baby to practise lifting his or her head up while you hold him or her against your chest. Move this activity to “tummy time” on a soft but firm blanket or mat on the floor as the weeks pass. In the Montessori training online, the aspirants learn about the need for maximum effort and the various benefits.

Remember that your kid will moan and kick, which is perfectly natural and does not indicate that they are uncomfortable. It's a strenuous workout! It will be simpler to let your infant work if you recall the sounds we adults make when we are working hard. Tell your baby that you hear them when they start to fuss or cry, then gently roll them from belly to back while continuing to play.

Maximum effort in three to six month old babies


If you want to give your baby a rattle or a grasping toy, put it on the movement mat just out of reach and let them stretch and wiggle to get it. If they are having trouble moving forward, quietly place your leg or hands on the floor against the bottoms of their feet to provide them with a push. You can clearly understand the satisfaction on your baby's face when they reach the toy, pick it up, and start playing with it.

6 to 12-month-old babies in their maximum effort stage


Getting into and out of the sitting posture is a huge project in the early stages of this developmental phase. They will then crawl or scoot around the room in an army crawling or scooting motion. They'll eventually come to a standstill and seek to creep around any surface that can support them.

How you can help: Giving your infant a large, safe environment to move in and allowing them to move independently can help them develop their motor skills to their maximum potential as is taught in Montessori training online. Your baby will love getting away from you for a short while, but will frequently return to the location where they last saw you to "check in." This is natural, and your baby's comfort level with moving away from you will grow over time.

It can be difficult to sit back and allow your infant move about freely. We've been keeping them close and safe for months. Allowing them to embark on learning and exploration expeditions takes practise. As they struggle to move, some newborns may grunt or vocalise. When moving, many newborns will topple, tip, and fall. Calming your reactions to these tiny occurrences will show your kid that you trust them to get over these minor setbacks on the road to independence. We want to convey his self-assurance in his abilities so that they might feel free to broaden their horizons even more.

The fact is, toddlers love putting in maximum effort.

Nothing makes a novice walker happier than ramping up the intensity of her walk: carrying heavy objects while walking is a common occurrence among this age group. They want to push themselves to their boundaries and see what they can achieve!

What you can do to help:

Walking on two feet provides your toddler with a plethora of new activities. The most obvious option is to simply walk. Allow your toddler to walk instead of riding in a stroller or baby carrier when time and safety allow. Offer activities that require both hands and legs to be used at the same time at home.

Understanding your child's need for physical activity will help you have more fun together. It will also assist you in maintaining perspective when confronted with a tantrum or a difficult situation. Look for a solution to turn their need into a joyful experience. “I see you're in the mood to jump,” says the narrator. Let's go find a secure location for that.” And, sometimes, we just have to take a step back and watch things unfold.

Thursday 9 September 2021

A four year old mopping the classroom! Is it a Montessori classroom?

For many, the first experience of a Montessori is when they go for a job interview. If you are looking for an online Montessori training institute chances are you might not have the physical experience of visiting a classroom specially during the age of this pandemic. However, when you will be visiting a classroom you will be surprised to see that most of the time there will be a young child who is diligently sweeping the floor and the child would be no more than 4 to 5 years old. It might look like a punishment but the fact is Montessori education gives utmost importance to physical activities.
 

Just like a teacher who helps the child on one end of the classroom with the classwork and another teacher will be sitting on the opposite side observing the child, in both these activities one will be about educational and the other will be more on the practical approach of life. You might also see a child scrubbing a table or a boy polishing the leather shoes. It is not a fuss but a kind of a task which they will do quite happily. As you go through the Montessori training program, you will understand that the pedagogy highlights as important as it is to learn the serious subjects like math and literature, it is equally important to understand the practical life activities and how it can help you grow into a better human being. Practical life gives the child all the opportunities that he needs to grow the skills in order to flourish not only at school but also in life this will include the right coordination of intelligence, movement as well as will power.

•    Movement


As adults, we are typically free to move our bodies as we go about our everyday lives. We can stroll to the supermarket without bumping into anyone and cut an onion without hurting our fingers. Even if we weren't aware of it, we developed our physical abilities by practicing our motions throughout time. That is why Montessori classrooms provide lots of physical tasks in the form of Practical Life for the child to learn movement control. Physical chores in the classroom, such as watering plants or washing windows, help a kid grow more spatially aware and elegant in his motions.

•    Intelligence


Intelligence is defined as the capacity to absorb information and apply it to the real world. Both are possible in everyday life. When a youngster is learning how to wash his hands in the school, he learns by seeing the instructor and trying it himself that he must wet his hands first before adding soap, otherwise he will not obtain a soapy lather to wash with. Every time he washes his hands, he absorbs this knowledge and implements it. Not only that, but when he first tries to wash a table, he immediately understands that the surface must be moist before adding the soap, for the same reason as previously: to generate a soapy lather.

He's just three years old, yet he's already applying what he's learned in one area to another! And, just as when we adults attempt anything new for the first time, it gets easier with practice, the kid finds it easier and easier to focus on the job at hand – which is critical for thinking.

•    Will power


This has a lot to do with the fact that Montessori classrooms provide students a lot of options. A kid can utilize a piece of Practical Life whenever he wishes after the instructor has presented it to him. A kid will have been exposed to at least 10 distinct activities during the first few weeks of school. As a result, he uses his willpower while deciding what activity to engage in. What about the benefits of exercise? Strength! His willpower grows to the point that the youngster becomes accustomed to starting an activity, such as sweeping, and seeing it through to completion, even if he loses interest.
 

A common meal preparation exercise involves slicing a banana, placing the slices in a dish, and then eating them as a snack. Consider how much willpower it takes a four-year-old to finish the final step before tucking in — putting away his apron. The youngster develops character strength by purposefully postponing his delight. No one is born with the talent, but with enough effort, any youngster can accomplish it.

We have great expectations for our children as Montessori parents and educators: they will develop into knowledgeable, self-sufficient people who will lead successful lives. How can we assist them in acquiring the essential skills? We may plan activities based on their preferences.

Maria Montessori saw in young toddlers a strong desire to utilize and comprehend items they had encountered at home during their first two years of life.

All of the items that their parents and grandparents used on a regular basis were mysterious to the kid while also being quite familiar. That inherent curiosity may still be seen in youngsters today. For twenty minutes, a child will sit and play with a puzzle, but for forty minutes, he will wash tables. He may get tired of a soft toy after a few weeks or months, but he will want to make a meaningful difference in his environment for the rest of his life.

Wednesday 1 September 2021

Understanding the need of Normalization in Montessori Training

Those who are unfamiliar with the Montessori philosophy may be concerned by the word "normalisation." ‘Normalization' is a term used in Montessori education to describe a unique process in child development in which each child is valued as a contributing member of their community.

In the Montessori setting, normalisation refers to a child's capacity to work and concentrate independently. You will learn how to utilise Montessori materials to keep children interested in their interests while also teaching them self-discipline in the Montessori training programme.
 
"The role of education is to interest the child profoundly in an external activity to which he will give all his potential."


They following four characteristics are commonly associated with normalization:

  • Self-discipline: To focus energies and mental capabilities in the pursuit of self proficiency
  • Love of work: The faculty to select work freely and find joy in everyday activities
  • Concentration: The capacity to work continuously along with an increasing sense of interest
  • Sociability: To be able to have sense of respect and sympathy for others

According to Dr. Maria Montessori, normalization is defined as “The most important single result of our whole work.” (The Absorbent Mind, 1949.)

Progressing through the three stages of normalization, children effectively complete the work cycle. Each stage is built on the one before it, and gradually, they master the skills of concentration, self-discipline, joy of work, and sociability.

The three-period work cycle that helps building the foundations of character and personality consists of-

  • Preparation for work: Collecting the Montessori materials, and constructing the mind
  • Work: Complete concentration on the activity or material
  • Rest: Attaining satisfaction after successful completion of work

Understanding Stage One


All who are under the age of three are in the first step of normalization. In Montessori teacher training, you will learn how children can be introduced to the various curriculum areas. The activities are designed such that they give results of work quickly, and encourage children have a sense of accomplishment after successfully completing the task.

In the early stage of normalization, the kids learn about simple choices, and slowly absorb the skills of concentration and self-motivation. Understandably, they are not yet ready for the responsibility of full freedom even within the Montessori environment from such an early age.

Understanding Stage Two


In this, kids gradually experience more freedom. They learn how to move quickly from one activity to another, and can select from various activities during the work cycle. In this stage, they seldom repeat an activity, and are also not deeply engaged in the materials. This is a key feature that proves the child has not yet developed deep concretion or self-discipline. They are benefitted by frequent Montessori lessons, instructions and presentations.

Understanding Stage Three


Children who typically attend a Montessori preschool three or more days per week can attain this stage of normalization. They are now between the ages of five and six years old and can concentrate on one task for a long time before moving on to the next. They also need less supervision now that they are increasingly self-directed and self-sufficient. The teacher's job is to monitor and lead the children's interests and activities.

Through the Montessori materials, appropriate interactions with their environment, and continuous guidance from the teachers, children will gradually acquire the skills that can help them reach normalization in their own time.

To find out more, visit https://mkutraining.com who offers affordable and a wholesome Montessori training.

Wednesday 11 August 2021

Find out the steps in Montessori Infant Program

If you are getting trained from any of the reputed online Montessori teacher training programs, you will learn about how to nurture a Montessori environment specifically designed to meet the developmental needs and interests of children. It is designed for those between the age of six weeks to 24 months for the infant program.

The Montessori teacher training programs is separated into three key stages - 0-9 months, 9-15 months, and 15-24 months. For any layman these stages and ages doesn't really much of difference, but only a trained teacher in Montessori education will understand how each of these stages reflect the phenomenal physical, intellectual as well as emotional development of the child. This is the age when they absorb all aspects of language, environment, and culture.

As with any Montessori environment, the infant room activities are carefully set out where the child can discover and explore his/her surroundings. The teacher takes out the materials at the appropriate time based on their observations of the kids' individual development.

The Montessori infant materials are made such that the children can use them with minimal assistance. The idea is to help them learn about how to complete and repeat tasks without interruption and interference. Eventually, they can grow their confidence, analytical skills, independence, as well as concentration span. The holistic approach is unique for every child and with proper learning opportunities, they can form their intelligence and personality.
 

0-9 Months


The first stage of the Infant Program is all about developing a broad range of skills that foster concentration and other sensory awareness. The primary focus is to provide them with opportunities that can help build positive relationships with their teachers and peers. The main materials used in this portion of the program includes grasping and reaching rattles, sound bottles, mobiles, sensory boards, treasure baskets, and the shapes board.

9-15 Months


From 9-15 months, you can clearly see the development in the various features of the infant and this is when they start growing control over how they think, communicate, and move. The materials are carefully introduced to this age group that assist children in developing the psychomotor skills, muscular strength, hand-eye coordination, social and language skills, and visual and sensory capabilities. Typical Montessori materials would include objects such as permanence boxes, shape sorting, color sorting, discs on a dowel, imbucare boxes, counting activities, nesting cups, language cards, matching activities, stacking blocks, and puzzles.
 

15-24 Months


The third and final stage of the Infant Program Montessori teacher education is a transitory phase that creates a prepared environment for the children to participate in the structured Montessori Toddler and Preschool Programs. They learn through various activities about the practical life activities, such as pouring or spooning and provide students with various scopes to explore in the earlier programs.

The idea for these kinds of programs is to help them develop a concept of order, develop their vocabulary, and aid them in rising their ability to communicate, concentrate, work independently, and understand straightforward sequences.

To find out more about the program and how to enroll, visit https://mkutraining.com


Wednesday 28 July 2021

Understanding how uninterrupted work period can develop better concentration in kids

"When the children had completed an absorbing bit of work, they appeared rested and deeply pleased."

—Maria Montessori (author), Paul Oswald (editor), Basic Ideas of Montessori's Educational Theory

After several months in a Montessori classroom, children as young as three years old are able to pick their own work, focus on, and complete their activities. Montessori found the value of a two-and-a-half to three-hour continuous work period through observation and experimentation. Children are most inclined to pick demanding work in the last hour of a long work time.

A three-year-old was once seen by Montessori repeating the knobbed cylinders activity 44 times. When Montessori tested the girl's concentration by taking her up from her chair and placing her on top of her desk, then requesting her classmates to sing, the girl's concentration did not waver. "...she gazed about with a satisfied air, almost as if waking from a delightful nap," she said when she stopped working on her own. Montessori called this a "never-to-be-forgotten" discovery. (Spontaneous Activity in Education)

These kinds of activities and processes are taught in Montessori teacher education center where the teacher understands the kind of approach that makes Montessori different than traditional schooling.



Phases of the Work Period


During extensive task periods, Montessori and her directresses attentively watched the phases of children's activity. They discovered that youngsters frequently choose an easy first assignment, followed by a moderately hard activity, in the first hour and twenty minutes. Following that, students appeared restless and classroom noise rose for five minutes, causing "false weariness." Many teachers become nervous at this point and decide to halt the work period. When youngsters choose tough tasks and concentrate carefully, deceptive weariness is actually "preparation for the concluding work." When the project is completed, the youngsters look to be sincerely satisfied and at ease, and there is a period of "contemplation." (ibid)

Because they have the option to choose things that interest them, children in Montessori classes get absorbed in their work. Children rarely encounter the profound attention necessary for jumps in cognitive growth in schools with work periods of less than two hours.

When you will enroll in Montessori training near me, you will understand the kind of tasks that should be assigned to make the children partake in what interests them.

False Fatigue


False weariness is analogous to adults stopping for a cup of coffee after a long day at work. If youngsters are bothering others, they can be politely redirected, but too much meddling prolongs the false fatigue phase. We must trust children to return to work rather than frantically over-controlling or terminating the work session.



Is Circle Time Always Necessary?


Children enjoy individual or small group instruction, work at their own speed with materials they pick, and serve themselves a snack during the morning work session. Near the start or end of the work hour, many schools have a mandatory circle (typically lasting 30-40 minutes). More whole group exercises are frequently required in the start of the school year, before the class has settled in. Any disturbance to the work period (including circle) interferes with the child's exploration, focus, skill mastery, critical thinking, and problem solving. Longer circles reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a task. Children rarely concentrate completely on truly tough work if they don't have enough time.

Instead of having an obligatory circle time, encourage small groups of children to sing, listen to a tale, or watch an art lesson. During the transition to lunch, while the children are tidying up from the work period, a short circle (to do the calendar or sing songs) is an excellent moment. Instead of having an obligatory circle time, encourage small groups of children to sing, listen to a tale, or watch an art lesson. During the transition to lunch, while the children are tidying up from the work period, a short circle (to do the calendar or sing songs) is an excellent moment.

Teachers sometimes worry if today's students can achieve the kind of intense attention that Montessori referred to as a "miracle." Are contemporary children, who are surrounded by screens, incapable of focusing their attention in the same way that children in Montessori's time did? A lot depends on what happens in the Montessori classroom and the adolescent stage is the best period to influence these young minds about the right and wrong.

Sunday 18 July 2021

What makes Montessori education different from traditional classes?

Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of Montessori child development and education, felt that children thrive in a quiet, orderly, and natural environment. Her ideas, which are almost a century old, are still relevant in child development. It is critical for young people to be able to freely explore and participate in learning and understanding about the world around them.

To start with, let the classroom be such designed where they do not always have to sit on the chairs but can roam around freely.

For those looking for homeschool Montessori training, here are the top five foundational principles of the system that will give you a better recognition of the idea -

•    Mixed-age classrooms


Montessori classrooms typically include a mixed range of kids. There are students of mixed ages and mixed skill-levels. They are usually categorized into three year groups (such as 3-6 year olds, 6-9 year olds and so on). Peer learning is one of the most encouraging procedures where the little ones observe their older friends and try to learn. This is also one of the valuable leadership skills which the children start learning from a tender age.

Although the most common Montessori schools are for younger children, there are Montessori middle and high schools as well.



•    Experiential learning


Children in Montessori schools are given the notion that they are learning on their own. Specially created materials are available to assist them in grasping the fundamentals of the disciplines. For example, rather than memorising math concepts, the children are given real things to assist them in counting (adding or subtracting). Also, there are sets of wooden letters called the movable alphabet to learn to read and write. It is Maria Montessori's observation that children pick up better when they move and learn instead of sitting and listening to a teacher.



•    Uninterrupted work period


There are extensive, uninterrupted work periods at a Montessori classroom (which typically go on for 2-3 hours depending on age). Rather than having a set amount of time for each subject (such as 30 minutes for language or 40 minutes for math), students have a long morning work hour in one classroom that covers all disciplines. This long time not just helps keeping the children engaged with the materials but also in develops their concentration.

•    Academics


Apart from the regular subjects such as math, science, language, Montessori schools also has two academic areas - practical life and sensorial. The practical life consists of exercises to help children understand and learn the everyday skills. For young children, there are some simple activities such as pouring water carefully, tying their shoes, or cleaning up the table where they played. For older children, there is simple budgeting or gardening exercises.#

Experienced Montessori tutors are also aware of sensorial education that is about educating kids of the senses. Montessori believed that children can learn better through their senses. So, there are specifically designed materials that help them refine their sense of hearing, smell, observing and likewise.



•    Role of the teacher


A Montessori teacher is also called a guide, rather than a teacher. This makes him or her closer to the students and reflects her non-traditional role.

A Montessori teacher's main responsibility is to watch the children and introduce them to various academic materials as they progress. She usually works with a child one-on-one, rather than in a regular classroom setting. The teacher's duty is viewed as giving pupils with learning tools rather than instilling facts and knowledge in them.

Saturday 26 June 2021

The Development Planes in 150 Years in Montessori

I have found that in his development, the child passes through certain phases, each of which has its own particular needs. The characteristics of each are so different that the passages from one phase to another have been described by certain psychologists as ‘rebirths’.

— Dr. Maria Montessori

Dr. Maria Montessori recognised certain irrefutable patterns in children's development over the course of her years of observation in a range of settings. She acknowledged that there are numerous differences between people, but she asserted that certain characteristics could be depended on as children grew older. She believed that these features and features may be utilised not only to define a child's developmental stage, but also as a guide for the adults who care for him or her.

We still apply her scientific results in our work as professional Montessori educators today. Childhood development is organised into four basic phases, or planes, according to Dr. Montessori. Each level builds on the knowledge gained in the preceding ones, and each has an active and passive phase. We can better support a child's subsequent development by properly comprehending their developmental needs, regardless of where they are on this continuum.

There is a lot to say about Montessori's developmental planes, so we'll keep it short and to the point. We encourage parents to think about how their child's developmental features could impact their own decisions at home, just as we do in our learning environments.


The First Plane of Development


NEWBORN-AGE 6

Children learn mostly from their experiences with their surroundings during the first plane of development. The personal growth we experience during this time is unlike anything we will ever witness again in our lives. This is a period of significant physical growth as well as personality development. The Montessori teacher education center will teach you to be mindful of the following:

  • The desire to feel protected and safe
  • A desire for physical independence
  • The senses are being explored and refined.
  • Gross and fine motor skills development
  • Desire to work on your own or with others (as opposed to with them)
  • Thinking in concrete terms
  • a proclivity for neatness and order

The Second Plane of Development


AGES 6-12

There is a noticeable change in the child at the age of six. There are several physical growth surges as well as an unquenchable desire to learn more about the world and universe. The child's world begins to extend beyond their own restricted confines. This means they are more social, but also more interested about things they don't already know. Keep in mind the following characteristics:

  • This is a moment for huge dreams!
  • The mind of a youngster shifts from concrete to abstract.
  • Science, geography, and history are all popular cultural subjects.
  • At this age, children frequently favour big projects.
  • They desire social contacts, but they're still figuring out how to handle them properly.
  • They aren't always mindful of their expanding limbs and frequently trip or knock objects down.
  • Cleanliness and order are unimportant, yet they are frequently overlooked.
  • Justice and fairness have become crucial.

The Third Plane of Development


AGES 12-18

The time on the third level is amazing. Adolescents are in the stage of growth where they are discovering who they are as individuals. Despite the fact that we change throughout our lives, who we are at our core and what drives us are largely rooted in the discoveries we make throughout our adolescent years. Puberty brings massive physical and emotional changes, and there is a lot of variation across peers over the first half of this period. Important things to keep in mind:

  • Teenagers are considering their future plans.
  • They, like first-time flyers, require caring and emotional support.
  • Having knowledge of puberty will aid them as they go through it.
  • They rely greatly on their classmates, but they still require adult assistance (even as they seem to reject it)
  • Emotions will be quite volatile.
  • Adolescents must be treated with respect.
  • Physical labour is frequently prioritised over intellectual pursuits.

The Fourth Plane of Development


AGES 18-24

Yes, Montessori viewed the ages of 18-24 to be the pinnacle of a child's growth. Maybe you're still on this plane, or at least not too far away. Maybe you're bringing your kids on this plane. The transition from late adolescence to early adulthood is the link between our childhood selves and the remainder of our adult lives. The tremendous growth and learning that takes place during this time is crucial to our future selves.

People on the fourth level of development aspire to be completely self-sufficient. Moral independence, financial independence, and emotional independence are all examples of this. We tend to analyse our own particular standing in society at this age. We consider how we will contribute to the larger good and how we will proceed in the future. We develop personal hobbies, launch employment, and occasionally even start families.

At the fourth plane, Dr. Maria Montessori stopped writing on human development. One has to wonder what would have happened if she had persisted.

If you are looking for an affordable Montessori training center, visit https://mkutraining.com

Saturday 12 June 2021

Creating a Prepared Environment for Montessori

 The viewpoint we take as educators is one of the main differences between conventional methods and the Montessori process (whether we are parents, teachers, family members or the myriad of other roles in which adults act as educators to children). The demand for Montessori training online is rising as more and more millennial parents are looking for imparting wholesome education to their children; and the Montessori pedagogy reflects on a comprehensive approach during the developmental years of the kids.


Trying to guide or regulate the process of human development occurs naturally and predictably through the interaction between the infant and the environment; as a result, attempting to do so is at best futile and at worst actively harmful. the importance of studying a child's natural potentials and allowing them to guide their own experiences This does not, however, imply that teachers and parents are inactive and would just sit around to make the kids learn everything on their own.

If development takes place at the point where a child and their environment collide, and the child is perfectly suited on their side, the environment remains the other half of the equation. As educators, the main job is to develop, curate, and sustain an atmosphere in which the child can find all they need, and then to relate the child to that environment. Reputed online Montessori training institute provides a complete idea on the Montessori curriculum and how it helps aids children to grow at their own pace.


Key Aspects of the Prepared Environment


A prepared environment encourages the child to participate in it in a constructive and beneficial way while allowing the adult to observe without intervening. It must therefore be healthy for the child first and foremost, so that they can engage with it individually without an adult jumping in to “rescue” them from possible damage.

It must, of course, provide opportunities for activity and work that are suitable to the child's level: demanding but doable, in order to keep the child's attention and develop them. It must also be pleasing to the child – appealing, even stunning. Finally, it should always have both order and peace, which is what the child needs at all stages of development.

The educator, according to Dr. Montessori, serves as a link between the child and the world, facilitating initial interaction by drawing the child's attention and interest to the environment's interactions and opportunities.

Since the goal of childhood is to adapt – to become the adult of one's time and place – every child is born with an insatiable desire to learn, understand, and imitate the adult. It is the adult's responsibility to translate this enthusiasm for the world to the setting as a role model for how to deal with it.




Setting up the Environment


The method of designing a child's environment is a delicate balance of functional and aesthetic considerations, none of which should be prioritized over the other. When designing an environment, we start with the architectural and physical aspects, such as light and air quality, protection, and hygiene. Of course, this is not special to Montessori, but there isn't anything to say about it. However, we pay more attention than others to aesthetic elements like color and texture, as well as the dimensions of the space: the size and construction of the furniture, the arrangement of objects, and so on, to ensure that the child can move around and do things comfortably.

When designing an atmosphere, one of the most important things we can do is get down to the height of the child for whom the environment is designed and look at it from their viewpoint: can they see the displays without craning their head?

On many levels, order is a truly necessary component of any child's world. We must provide order in their environments to help children build order in their minds: a graded, systemic, and organised arrangement of every aspect of their world. Order provides a sense of security and familiarity to the child by providing points of reference and known sequences. Rather than being frustrated and confused, a child who is comfortable in the order of the world will explore, enjoy greater independence, and have the ability to choose from what is available.

The environment's activities, materials, and equipment should support rather than guide the child's growth. This means that any developmental resources, toys, or activities we have should not be placed on the infant, but should instead appeal to them and entice them with their beauty and functionality.

Finally, the environment's care, order, and harmony reflect the relationship between the adults and children who share the room. It's important to consider what we're expressing to the child by the way we use our power to preserve and alter the space as we exercise it.

Monday 31 May 2021

Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

It is not a new concept to choose to homeschool your children. However, as we begin the 2020–2021 school year, months into the global COVID-19 pandemic, the term "school choice" is taking on a whole new meaning, as an increasing number of parents see homeschooling as a viable option for their children.

Many school districts across the country are proposing a number of education options to combat the spread of the virus, ranging from in-person school wearing masks to complete online school to a delayed start to the academic year. With so many learning options available—many of which aren't ideal—some parents are asking if they should take control of their children's education. In fact, the millennial parents are taking up Montessori curriculum to help their kids guide better.

If you're considering teaching your child at home for the first time or have always considered it for your family, you're probably aware that there are numerous benefits and drawbacks.

Every educational system provides excellent opportunity for pupils to acquire new knowledge and abilities while also allowing them to develop their own distinct characteristics and interests. There are advantages and disadvantages to homeschooling, just as there are to public, private, charter, unschooling, and other educational approaches.



A MAJOR LIFESTYLE CHANGE


As you are probably aware, when you choose to homeschool, you will assume the roles of both teacher and administration. You'll have to plan lessons, organise field excursions, coordinate activities with other parents, and stay on top of state and local homeschooling regulations. These tasks are added to your regular parental duties.

There are also the additional financial costs of homeschooling. While there are many free resources, textbooks, books, paper, art supplies, computers, software, and other homeschool equipment all cost money. When you are taking up the course on homeschool Montessori training, you will get a better idea on the tools and materials that are mandatory for learning.

Another significant difference is that, while most parents spend a significant amount of time with their children, homeschooling parents spend a lot more time with their children. The length of time it takes to homeschool is a significant lifestyle change that many parents consider when deciding whether or not to homeschool their children. Though there are numerous options for parents to find time for themselves, it's crucial to remember that you'll be spending more time with your kids than you are now.

Pros


  • Freedom

One clear advantage of homeschooling is the capacity to make your own decisions, whether you call it consciousness, independence, or control. You'll be able to travel or move around freely as a homeschooler, include religious instruction into daily learning, and avoid social pressures or harassment that your child may face at school. Plus, every discipline, from sailing to sewing to science, is fair game in a home-based education. Homeschooling encompasses a wide range of activities, including practical skills, volunteer work, creative hobbies, and traditional trades. According to some homeschoolers, teachable opportunities occur all the time, and "school" isn't restricted to school hours.

  • Individualized Education

Every child is unique. Unfortunately, teachers cannot always customise lessons to your child's specific needs in a bigger group setting such as a conventional school. In contrast, you may meet your child precisely where they are at home, tailoring classes to their own interests. If you have more than one child, homeschooling allows you to alter your approach in terms of learning styles and grade levels. Plus, because you're right there with them, you can celebrate any triumph or achievement with them in real time.

  • Minimal COVID-19 Restrictions

For many parents, the decision to homeschool their children for the 2020–2021 school year is motivated by the desire to circumvent COVID-19 constraints imposed at school. Wearing a mask all day and maintaining social distance from pals is a difficult task for a 6-year-old. Educating at home, obviously, means not having to deal with the pandemic's masks, physical barriers, and other difficult "extras."

  • Strong Parental Relationships

The longer you keep with your children, the more chances you have to bond with them. If you and your family have always desired for more hours in the day, homeschooling could be the answer. Positive experiences such as exciting field trips, learning a-ha moments, and “recess” at the park can all help to strengthen parent-child and sibling relationships. If work schedules normally limit time together on weekends or holidays, homeschooling's flexible hours may allow for more leisure with both parents.

Cons


  • A Lot of Work

You're suddenly a teacher, tutor, curriculum researcher, and principal, in addition to your home responsibilities as a mom or dad. If you have younger children at home who aren't yet in school, you may find it difficult to keep them occupied while you teach bigger children.

Plus, as enjoyable as tailoring schooling to each child's learning style might be, it can add to your workload.

  • Less Time for Yourself

Homeschooling's workload—and having your children at home all day—is bound to leave you with less leisure for yourself. Some homeschooling parents claim that they don't have time to exercise, let alone shower and take care of themselves.

  • Not Taking Advantage of Certain Opportunities

Despite its vast flexibility, homeschooling can limit your child's chances in several ways. A homeschool program, for example, may not be able to give the same variety of electives as a major public school for high school students. The same is true when it comes to social possibilities. It is your responsibility as a homeschooler to provide social connection that your child will not receive via school dances, assemblies, or regular classroom pair work.