Five key areas of the Montessori curriculum

A healthy Montessori environment is an important part of your child's development. Five key areas contribute to a great Montessori curriculum. Each area of study contributes a great deal to your child’s learning. They will be able to grow by stimulating development through logical and creative experience.

 

Practical Life

Practical life exercises include

• Food preparation
• Hand washing
• Dressing
• Grooming
• Refining movements

Sensorial

Sensorial exercises allow

• Sight (visual)
• Smell (olfactory)
• Touch (tactile)
• Sound (auditory)
• Taste (gustatory)

Language

The goal of Montessori language activities is to improve your child's listening, understanding, and vocabulary. Scientific evidence supports the Montessori view that infants are born with all they need to acquire language and that they absorb it easily.

Mathematics

This area of study helps your child to bring order into the life, math exercises use hands-on materials like:

• Number rods
• Number boards
• Number tiles
• Sandpaper numbers
• Spindle box

Cultural

Montessori cultural exercises are designed to help your kid understand their position in the world while also learning to appreciate and accept diversity. Cultural exercises include a wide range of themes, including:

• Geography
• Science
• Zoology
• Botany
• History

There are various advantages that your child gains with this kind of Montessori curriculum.

• Independence
• The ability to develop their skills and talents
• A love for learning through individualized, and hands-on activities
• Develop self-discipline
• Improve social interaction

Connect with MKU Training Institute by visiting https://mkutraining.com or dialing 561-801-0822 for detailed information on learning to handle a great Montessori curriculum.

5 Things to Consider before Choosing a Montessori Training Program

You will come across numerous Montessori programs on the internet, but only a few of them are to be trusted. Choosing the right course is always a rewarding affair. So, you have to consider some aspects before picking the one for you.

Teaching is the noblest of all professions. If you aspire to be a Montessori teacher, it’s well and good. However, choosing the right Montessori training center is a cumbersome task as there are numerous options. You are bound to get burdened by options. Having a clear idea about what you want to achieve through Montessori education is a good option as you can be aware of the dos and don’ts. Given below are the five things you should consider before choosing a Montessori training program:

1. Location and schedule: It is undoubtedly the first thing you should consider. However, if the program is offered in distance mode, you don’t have to worry about these aspects. Not everyone happens to live within the vicinity of a good Montessori training institute. The benefit of choosing an online or Montessori distance education program is that you don’t have to travel, and you can study at any time of the day.
2. Probe into the experience of the Montessori teachers: You can’t give a blind eye to this aspect under any circumstances. Before opting for a program, you should look at the experience of the Montessori trainers. If they are in this domain for more than five years, they can be considered reliable. Nobody will prefer to hire a Montessori teacher who is an amateur. You also need to check the philosophy of the training staff. Look whether the teachers are influenced by Montessori’s original ideas and theories or by other educational methods. If possible, you can watch their videos and webinars. This will help you to know them in a precise fashion.
3. Brand legacy: You also need to check the brand legacy of the institute. Carefully research the background of the Montessori training center before pursuing a teacher training course. In this way, you can easily differentiate an excellent institute from a mediocre one. A good Montessori training institute has a brilliant track record, state-of-the-art alumni, and top-notch faculty members. Before getting admitted to a Montessori teacher training institute, ensure that the institute is in the business for a considerable period of time.
4. Training methodology and curriculum: The institution you pick must have well-structured courses coupled with effective teaching methodologies. The curriculum needs to cover a diverse spectrum of teaching and provide aspiring teachers with in-depth knowledge about teaching methodologies and the latest teaching theories.
5. Fee structure: It is another crucial factor that will determine your choice. Will you spend all the money for completing a teacher training course? Obviously not. At the same time, you will prefer to complete the course from the best institution. However, you shouldn’t forget to enquire other institutions about the fees. This will give you a clearer picture. Don’t fall into the trap of institutions that want to convince you only with their fee structure.

Choosing the right Montessori training center is a tricky affair as there are several aspects to consider. It’s not easy to meet all the ends, and for that to happen, you have to research a fair bit. Consider the above factors and make the best decision of getting admitted into the right Montessori training course.

Are you aspiring to be a Montessori educator and looking for the right Montessori training program? Well, the experts at https://mkutraining.com have all the needs covered for you. Here, you get access to the best quality training from professionals who are acquainted with the various facets of Montessori training. And more importantly, you can avail of this training without burning a hole in your pocket.

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

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

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

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.

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.

How the Montessori Educators are Teaching the Kids Even during Lockdown

As much as it seems like we are getting to a world where no pandemic exists, the truth is the virus is still there at large and we all need to keep up with the safety protocols. This also means, the schools and colleges are closed and we have to get accustomed to the online mode of teaching and learning.

The Montessori teachers are no different and are looking for ways to transform their concrete learning environment into the virtual one. Even though this can be possible with children who has attained a certain age but is definitely a challenging prospect when you think of the age of the Montessori kids.

Most importantly, this is entirely in contrast to the principle of Montessori learning environment. However, as the times are changing, there has to be some thought and preparation that can help the students to focus on their curriculum with the help of the professional Montessori educators that can help the students not lose time just being at home. If you are certified teacher from Montessori distance education programs, you know how it is true that being at home and studying has both its pros and cons.

The cultural curriculum of Montessori

This has been the year where more than ever children need to connect with the cultural curriculum. It is often seen that parents put the most of the focus and attention on language or mathematics or science so cultural curriculum is forever an afterthought. However, if you look online there are a number of cultural subjects which can be educated to the children for greater good. Let's have a look –

•    Understanding the literature

Most of the libraries are closed, however you can find several websites that are available and offer free download of books and audiobooks. To keep everyone engaged, as a Montessori teacher, you can use the online literature circle to make it a fun thing for the kids. Even for the upper elementary children this can become a favorite time of the day. You can use sentences, grammatical examples and parts of speech from these books to teach them language.

•     Exploring the Writing

The Montessori training program tell the participants to become a good mentor which means unlike the traditional teachers, they work as a guide for the students. This can be the time when as a mentor you help them develop new writing skills. You can give them challenge to keep up a daily journal. Also, this can be the time when it will ask them to write poetries or get involved in different other types of creative writing. They can write letters to their friends and family whom they cannot meet due to the lockdown.

•     Math

In all areas of Montessori, this has been a concrete learning subject and takes precedence over any paper pencil work. This is because, before rushing into any abstraction, the mentors help them to focus on the concepts that can help them in concrete learning. Exploring measurement, time, word problems and other logics is a fun activity.

•     Art and music

Some kids can be more inclined towards music and arts. Again, this can be the best of the time to encourage them in utilizing the time at home in exploring the various types of music and art. You can tell them about the history of the various periods of the evolution of art and music. Eventually, they can also learn to identify the composer or singer.

•     Advanced practical life

As the schools are closed, it is upon the parents to help the children focus on the importance of knowing household works. There are plenty of practical life activities for children that can be practiced during depending on the age such as setting up the dinner table to sewing on buttons. There are many ways to make these kids learn the importance of lending a helping hand to their parents.

Should you be interested in getting a flexible and authentic Montessori Training from a reputed Institute, visit https://mkutraining.com/. It offers comprehensive course under affordable rate.

The Mixed-Age Classroom and its Benefits

 The demand for Montessori education has seen a huge rise amongst the millennial parents. The reason is simple; traditional schooling helps any kid to get through the academic courses but with Montessori Training it is possible to learn about the various aspects of not just education but other interests that can help them grow into a better human being. So, one of the many elements which actually make Montessori education different than the rest is the mixed age classroom approach. Rather than having children in a classroom based on their chronological age, the classroom environment has children spanning various ages. When you are taking up Montessori Training program, you will be taught how to encourage and mix with the kids across various ages and still keep up with the education.

Why have mixed age classroom?

There are some key points which actually show that having a setup where you have students of the close ages can be beneficial for both the younger and the older kid. Let's have a look how that helps -

Leaders and models

When you have children of various ages in a single room, all of whom are working towards a said goal, the younger children will be in an environment where they can find their own models. It is often been seen that children learn the best from another children. For instance a 6 year old can learn better from an eight-year-old than his or her mentor or parent. Similarly, the older children in the class can have opportunities where they can grow in leadership roles. They can also cultivate this skill which can even surely help them become more independent in their community.

Skill progression fluidity

One of the most important lessons that you will get from online Montessori teacher training programs is that no learning is linear and this is not limited for the younger children. For any age, the learning procedure does not follow a linear curve. There are periods of rapid growth and also some phases when there will be a plateau in the progress. This is a very normal symptom and can vary according to the subjects that the individual children are taking up. It is strongly believed in Montessori curriculum. While some of them will find too much interest in learning the science others can have interest in finding out the various scopes in language and literature. These lines of division can be blurred when you do not have to rely on any typical grade level.

Stronger relationship

When a kid is there in a class for three years, the mentor really gets to know him or her rather than a traditional teacher. So the person is not just a class teacher but is more of a guide. The deeper level of understanding helps to cultivate the strength and weaknesses of the child which eventually helps the kid to grow better.

Social opportunities

Diversity is extremely important in our lives. It is important to be able to open up to different kinds of ideas, people and situation. When they are spending time with people of various ages, they are also mixing with children of all sorts of skills as well as nature. The interaction has a very positive impact on all of them and can help to grow qualities like patience, empathy and open-mindedness.

Reflection for real life

When these kids will grow up, there will be hardly any situation when they will find themselves surrounded by people who are all of their age; which is why, if they are open to multi age classrooms right from the beginning, there will be better scopes of approximation and will also benefit them right through their early experiences.

The concept of Dr. Montessori

The mixed age classroom has been very well defined by Maria Montessori. She believed that her way of schooling have shown how kids of different ages can help each other; where the younger one asks all sorts of questions and the older one explains. This is in general a very useful way of teaching because the younger one understands in a language which is closer to them while the older one can explain what they actually understood, and as a guide one can observe and correct in case there is any error. Also otherwise, it creates a harmony and communication between both them and there is a natural mental osmosis which works in favour of both the kids. There can be different planes of development however, the classrooms in a Montessori setting generally have 3 year age spans ranging from-

• Infant/Toddler
• Primary/Early Childhood
• Elementary
• Adolescent

If you are looking for a nationally acclaimed Montessori Training Center, visit https://mkutraining.com

Preparing the Kids for Smaller and Bigger Changes

 The Montessori training centre frequently talks about consistency. This can sometime mean that in Montessori practice, there is a slight apprehension about change. Consistency is seen as the cornerstone in the ambience of preparing the toddlers however when they will be left to a world which is so unorderly, how do you think the kids can adapt to the patterns? Although when they are taught about their community, culture and education through a certain format, it helps them grow confident; but change is a natural part of life. From seasons to choices, everything will change and the child should have the ability to be flexible and cope up with the situation. Any form of chaos is difficult but they have to slowly learn how not to be reliant on an adult but face it by themselves.

Preparing the kids for small changes

While a certain sense of consistency can definitely make the little ones get hold of any situation better, there can be some slow and study changes which can generate fascination and interest. Those can be easy to manage because it happens not so consciously but knowing them as important changes can help them appreciate the switch. For instance, the first snowfall of the season or the slow death of their favorite plant because of ageing can be some experiences which help them prepare for a change that they otherwise have not put in a lot of thought into.

Getting ready for bigger changes

This can be a more challenging thing and as professional Montessori educators, you should help them understand that this is what makes the beauty of life. For instance, if somebody is having a brother or sister should be gradually told about how there will be a new member in the family; if there is a new movement to different place altogether, the kid should be slowly explained how he or she can have new friends with new teachers and new experience.

The most important part in this is to have detailed talk with the toddler. They should be involved in the situation to give them a sense of importance. It sometime can seem to be counter-intuitive in preparing the kids too far in advance, but this is a harmless procedure and most of the time they will develop a sense of belongingness and responsibility. Slowly and steadily they can also prepare for the routines how to tackle the change.

When you are dealing with a kid, you need to have more time understand that it can take longer for the kid to cope up with the situation. Pay more attention to them. Parents can narrate the daily experience, tell them if they had any changes or express their concerns about a certain change that is also affecting the kid. If there is any meltdown, be ready within extra hug and extra snack!

Maria Montessori called the brain of children under 6 years old as the absorbent mind. They have the ability to learn without effort during this age. The conscious effort will help them change their personality and attitude which can make them into a better person. Whatever is change, try to make it look good and help them grow confident from the situation.

Understanding the Four Basic Slabs of Montessori Training

 Regardless of where you are in your Montessori journey, understanding how to implement Maria Montessori’s theories of developmental psychology is a challenging task. Montessori’s theory of human development, referred to as the Planes of Development, is one of the crucial parts of training. When you successfully complete your training, there is a deeper and improved understanding of your child, and in fact human nature.

The 4 different planes of development according to Montessori -

• The First Plane: Birth to Age 6 (Early Childhood)
• The Second Plane: Ages 6–12 (Childhood)
• The Third Plane: Ages 12–18 (Adolescence)
• The Fourth Plane: Ages 18–24 (Maturity)

The Four Planes of Development, as said, are given exceptional importance in Montessori teacher education center. It provides a holistic framework that is a part of the developmental psychology and covers all aspects of a child’s growth including academic, spiritual, moral and emotional.

When a child is born, the possibilities are endless. However, it is imperative to have a mentor who can help pass the difficult journey of constructing self by understanding the constructs of the surrounding. Traditional education certainly helps but a child starts learning from the very first months of their lives. Dr. Montessori recognized human development, unlike what is generally thought is not perfectly linear. This means there are peaks and drops that mark the progression and retrogression.

The First Plane: Birth to Age 6 (Early Childhood)

This is considered the most important time of child’s development. From quirks, likes, dislikes, this age is the time for organizing himself physically. It’s during this time when the child learns to crawl, walk, speak, read. Every child has an absorbent mind from birth to three years of and can soak up everything around his world. However, in the second phase, this absorption becomes conscious.

The Second Plane: Ages 6–12 (Childhood)

This is the time when the child can create her intelligence, and conscience. It is extremely important for young children to understand the physical order which is why it is in the first plane of development. The older child searches now for moral order and grows the sense of right and wrong.

Additionally, this is the time when children learn by observing the adults in their life. When you look for the Montessori teacher training near me to send your kid for the classroom education, you must also see the accreditation of the teachers. The child learns a strong moral role by looking at the models in his/her life. This is why it is essential to see people with integrity. Simply said, this plane makes justice important.

The Third Plane: Ages 12–18 (Adolescence)

The years of adolescence can be scary and demands sensitive training. In Montessori’s eyes, this stage is very important as it marks the edifice of his social self. This is also when the child separates from his parents, mentally and physically, and starts taking control over his life. The nascent teenager phase marks the strapping moral conscience.

The Fourth Plane: Ages 18–24 (Maturity)

This is a matured phase and the newly minted adult will constantly look for constructing a sense of self-understanding. This is the stage when you learn about moral and spiritual independence.

Montessori education encourages the overall growth and development of the child through the theory of the Planes of Development. Apart from the academic understanding, the stages, when learn through a mentor make them a complete person with confidence and a good moral character.

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5 Principles Followed by Montessori Trained Mentors

Most of the education experts believe that Montessori has paved an excellent education option for children. The philosophy in this particular way of teaching has the power to change the way traditional schooling is done and eventually bring a development in the education system all across the world. Dr. Maria Montessori was an advocate for equality, peace and respect for fellow human beings irrespective of the age, gender and ability. So, when she created this education system, it had to have some basic principles that would bring about a positive experience for the children.

Montessori education today has continued to flourish and all across the globe. Parents look for reputed Montessori Training Center where the teachers can help the children gain an all inclusive development.

‘’The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult,’’- The secret of childhood, 1966.

 

 

With this idea in mind, Montessori created the education program that can maximize and facilitate independent learning as well as exploration. This well ordered ambiance can include a lot of movement as well as engage in activities but comes with a combination of self discipline and freedom. so when you have a mentor who has successfully completed Montessori teacher training, she can help in imbibing the following six principles in your child.

•    Freedom

Maria Montessori had a strong belief that the child must be free to explore as per his or her natural impulses within the prepared environment. The child can move as much as he or she wants, interact, explore and understand the freedom of choice.

•    Structure and order

This can seem counter intuitive as to the first point but in a Montessori classroom this helps to reflect the sense of structure and order in the universe as a whole. Montessori stated in one of the works that during the age of 1 to 3, the kid is in a very sensitive period and also is the time when the kid starts drawing conclusions around him. So, if there is no order surrounding him, it can be difficult for him to validate his findings. Also, any further changes in the structure and order should be very carefully considered. It is the work of the mentor to observe and take notes how a certain change can impact the kid.

•    Beauty

Maria Montessori focused it is very important that the environment in the classroom should be beautiful. Whether it is the living room or old Victorian structure, the environment of Montessori classroom should reflect harmony. Well maintained and clean look is very important as it reflects tranquility. It helps in working for both the child as well as the teacher.

•    Nature and reality

Maria Montessori had great reverence for nature and believed that it can help to inspire children as well. So, instead of keeping them confined to the classroom, you can include natural items such as bamboo, wood, cotton, metal to demonstrate something or the other instead of any synthetic or plastic materials.

•    Social environment

When there is freedom to interact and move around, it is also important that the kid learns or develop a sense of compassion for his or her fellow classmates. With the higher growth in age, children become socially aware and the social interaction scope increases with multi age classroom setting. It is possible for the children to develop a sense of responsibility as well as compassion for the fellow mates.

The above aspects are vital to create the brilliant Montessori structure however when you are looking for a wholesome development in the personality of your child, they should also be inclined towards an intellectual environment.

The trained teachers from MKUTI will help your kid to get interested in what subject he or she loves as well as developing the right social growth. Visit to find out https://mkutraining.com

Understanding the Basics of Montessori Infant Program

 If you are getting trained from a reputed Montessori teacher education center, 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 program 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.

Why Observation Is So Important In Montessori

Maria Montessori was medical doctor as well as scientist and was trained in making careful observations. She developed the course which is now globally accepted as Montessori programs. The course involves a lot of observation and the Montessori classrooms rely heavily on it. You can see that in the classrooms kids are given an opportunity of action which is welcomed and encouraged. The guide of the mentor is supposed to sit in a corner and observe how these kids are doing.

In Montessori teacher training programs, the enrollees are taught not only the educational curriculum but also how to observe the children. The training helps to gain insight about the various developmental phases that the kids go through. In a proper Montessori classroom setting, the mentor is in charge of decision making and assesses the children's mastery of skills. These skills are very basic and can involve everything including studying, playing or other daily activities.

Why planning appropriate lessons are important?

The Montessori educators, after passing the online Montessori Training are equipped to create extensive tasks for the children. They have the knowledge about the various developmental phases of the children and looks at them growing which is much different than what and how things are done in traditional education program. The guides are aware of how to take into consideration the various seemingly insignificant occurrences as a step towards the new plane of development for the kid. The guides are trained to respond well to every situation that occurs in the classroom and help them understand their growth.

Environment plays an important role in kids' development. While the guide is responsible for understanding and noting down the behavioral changes in the kids, environment plays an even bigger role. The kids in the classroom need to feel inspired and foster a sense of independence while being comforted and being safe. For instance, when a guide observes a piece of furniture hindering the flow of the kids' movements, it will be moved before the next class starts. If the kids in the classroom are comfortable sitting on the floor and working, the guide or the mentor will arrange for rugs instead of chairs and tables. The idea is to observe and understand what makes the kids comfortable and to introduce them to a space where they love coming down.

Keeping these ideas in mind, there are two types of observations listed down by Montessori - formal observations and informal observations.

In formal observations, the guide will look around in the classroom for about 15 to 30 minutes and the method might vary from one guide to another. Some like to sit in a corner with the clipboard and note down everything about the children; while for some it is easier to intervene and mix with the kids to understand and observe what they are doing. Basically, the idea is to involve making a lot of notes that is strictly observational. Any form of judgment or inferences will be done some point later.

Informal observations are when guides will make notes at any moment of the work period - while walking across the room and suddenly retrieving a point from a child. It can also come when speaking to a kid about a certain task. The guide will gather and record all these notes that can help the children educational experience smoother and fruitful.

If you have interest in kids and want to improve your career in education MKU training institute is here to offer an authentic Montessori learning environment.

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