We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Patricia M. Hart, Ph.D.

Montessori education has been a leading philosophy since Maria Montessori first did her research over 100 years ago.  She believed in a hands on approach to learning, where students were independent learnings, structuring their own learning.

Read more

Montessori education has been a leading philosophy since Maria Montessori first did her research over 100 years ago.  She believed in a hands on approach to learning, where students were independent learnings, structuring their own learning.

Every Montessori teacher needs a trained assistant to manage her classroom. However, to be a successful assistant, you need to have a good understanding of Montessori philosophy. In a Montessori classroom, students should not be disturbed when they are engaged in their work. Montessori students should be encouraged to be independent in all aspects of self-care. A Montessori teacher should not be interrupted during a materials presentation. Montessori classrooms are beautiful, with well maintained materials. A good assistant ensures that the classroom is always beautiful.

A Montessori assistant has many responsibilities including: Keeping the classroom neat and well supplied, monitoring the classroom noise level, taking care of individual student needs, and managing classroom conflicts, greeting students and parents as the day begins, helping students to prepare to go home at the end of the day, and ensuring safety on the playground.

In this program, you will learn how to achieve all these objectives as well as gain a general understanding of Montessori philosophy and how a Montessori class functions.

Produced by Educational Video Publishing – a leader in Montessori video production since 1994. Directed by Paulyne Holten-Sinder, former President of the American Montessori Society.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Identify what the role and responsibility of an elementary montessori assistant is
  • Obtain a basic understanding of how an elementary montessori classroom functions
  • Understand the legal and confidentiality issues an assistant must be aware of
  • Understand how to model behavior of the head teacher and be a model for the students

Syllabus

Introduction

Download and print out, “Elementary Pause Screens” and “Elementary Notes.” The “Elementary Notes” provides you with a list of the 39 Text Screens that appear throughout the videos to emphasize key points. The “Elementary Pause Screens” provide you with a print out of the reflection points for each section. By recording your thoughts on the “Elementary Notes” pages, you will have a thorough record of your learning experience.

Read more
Respect in the Montessori Community
Discipline
Role in the Classroom
Safety Procedures
Montessori Curriculum and Community
Community and Adult Consistency
Professionalism
Personal Care
Conclusion

An 80% test score represents successful course completion

Save this course

Save Elementary Montessori Assistant Training to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Elementary Montessori Assistant Training with these activities:
Read 'The Absorbent Mind'
Gain a deeper understanding of the Montessori philosophy by reading Maria Montessori's seminal work.
View The Absorbent Mind on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Absorbent Mind'.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how these concepts apply to the assistant's role.
Review Child Development Principles
Strengthen your understanding of how children learn and develop, which is essential for supporting their learning in a Montessori classroom.
Browse courses on Child Development
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous child development courses.
  • Read articles or watch videos on child development milestones.
  • Reflect on how these principles relate to Montessori practices.
Role-Play Classroom Scenarios
Practice responding to common classroom situations in a Montessori environment with other students.
Show steps
  • Find a partner or small group of fellow students.
  • Develop a list of common classroom scenarios.
  • Take turns role-playing the assistant and student roles.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Montessori Classroom Checklist
Develop a checklist to ensure the classroom is well-maintained and conducive to learning, reinforcing your understanding of the assistant's responsibilities.
Show steps
  • Review the course materials on classroom management.
  • Create a checklist of tasks for maintaining the classroom.
  • Organize the checklist into categories (e.g., materials, cleanliness, safety).
  • Share the checklist with other students for feedback.
Explore 'Montessori: A Modern Approach'
Gain a modern perspective on Montessori education by reading Paula Polk Lillard's insightful book.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Montessori: A Modern Approach'.
  • Read the book, focusing on practical applications of Montessori principles.
  • Reflect on how these applications can be implemented in the classroom.
Volunteer in a Montessori Classroom
Gain practical experience by assisting in a real Montessori classroom, solidifying your understanding of the assistant's role and responsibilities.
Show steps
  • Contact local Montessori schools to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Schedule a time to volunteer in a classroom.
  • Observe the teacher and assistant, and offer assistance where needed.
  • Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement.
Develop a Presentation on Montessori Principles
Deepen your understanding of Montessori principles by creating a presentation to share with others.
Show steps
  • Research key Montessori principles and practices.
  • Create a presentation outline.
  • Develop slides with clear and concise information.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Elementary Montessori Assistant Training will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Elementary Montessori Assistant Training.
Cornerstone of Montessori philosophy, detailing Maria Montessori's observations of children's learning processes. It provides essential background on the core principles that guide Montessori education. Understanding these principles is crucial for an assistant to effectively support the teacher and students. This book is highly relevant and foundational for anyone working in a Montessori environment.
Provides a broad overview of the Montessori method across different age groups. It offers insights into the developmental stages of children and how to adapt the Montessori approach to meet their needs. This book is useful for assistants who want to understand the continuum of Montessori education. It provides a comprehensive framework for supporting student learning.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser