
Montessori Teacher Training
800 FOLLOWERS
NAMC's Montessori Teacher Training blog provides the latest information and developments in Montessori education techniques and the Maria Montessori method. NAMC strives to produce content that will support and inform students enrolled in diploma programs, as well as Montessori educators worldwide.
Montessori Teacher Training
2M ago
Photo by Gustavo Fring, Pexels
The new Science of Reading movement that is occurring in schools in Canada and the United States is an evidence-based approach to reading instruction based on decades of research from education, neuroscience, cognitive science, linguistics, psychology, and sociology. Science of Reading emphasizes the importance of systematically teaching foundational skills like phonemic awareness (individual letter sounds), phonics (the relationship between sounds and letters), fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Although the Science of Reading is a new approach to reading ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
3M ago
Ask just about anyone what material comes to mind when they think of Montessori education, and most will say the Pink Tower. Predominately found in the early childhood environment, the Pink Tower is a beloved work for both child and teacher. As is often the case in Montessori, this seemingly simple tower of ten pink cubes is far more complex than it first seems. It encompasses Montessori’s philosophy of moving from a concrete material to abstract thought.
We might say that the younger children take in things sensorially.
—Maria Montessori
Citizen of the World, p. 37.
The Pink Tower: A Concret ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
3M ago
As Montessori teachers learn during their NAMC training, the concept of freedom of choice is a key part of fostering a child's natural curiosity and desire to learn. However, there's often a misconception that assigning adult-driven follow-up work is equivalent to giving students the freedom to choose their learning paths. True freedom of choice allows students to engage with materials and topics that genuinely interest them, leading to more meaningful and self-motivated learning experiences.
The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds m ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
4M ago
As Montessori educators, we dedicate ourselves to preparing nurturing environments where children can flourish, develop independence, and cultivate a deep respect for themselves and others. Central to this philosophy is the concept of grace and courtesy. Grace and courtesy lessons are practiced in every level of the Montessori environment, but special attention is given to grace and courtesy in the early childhood and lower elementary classrooms. These essential social skills help us navigate our world with kindness and consideration.
The grace and dignity of their behavior and the ea ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
5M ago
While Montessori’s Cosmic Education is formally presented in the second plane of development in the Montessori lower elementary environment, we can indirectly prepare younger children to admire and respect the world around them by creating hands-on learning opportunities. One way to strengthen this connection is by introducing a nature table into your Montessori environment. A fall nature table allows young children to observe, touch, and interact with elements of the natural world, fostering curiosity, independence, and sensory exploration. It also helps bring the beauty of autumn into the y ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
5M ago
Snack time in the Montessori environment is more than just a break for nourishment — it’s an opportunity for children to develop practical life skills, become independent, practice grace and courtesy, and listen to their bodies. Whether you are in the Montessori Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, or Upper Elementary environment, creating a snack area is part of the prepared environment that follows the child and supports their natural development.
We give the child nourishing food so that his little body may grow, and in just the same way we must provide him with suitable nourishment for his ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
5M ago
As Montessori educators, we understand the importance of creating a harmonious classroom environment that promotes independence, respect, and collaboration. One powerful way to help achieve this goal is by working with students to create classroom agreements. This approach not only aligns with Montessori principles but also nurtures democratic values and fosters a sense of ownership among students. Both Montessori Early Childhood and Montessori Elementary teachers can implement this practice effectively.
…the children develop a true ‘social feeling,’ for they are working in the ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
6M ago
The Montessori environment is prepared — the shelves are arranged with beautiful materials, the pencils are sharpened, and the paper trays are full. But now what? What do we DO with the children on the first day? This is a common question from Montessori teachers as they anxiously prepare for the first day with their students.
Whether you teach in a Montessori early childhood or elementary environment, the focus of the first day is the same. It is about welcoming children to the prepared environment, getting to know each other, and setting a positive tone for the year ahead. Here are some ide ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
6M ago
Before the start of a new school year, Montessori teachers look forward to setting up a beautiful and inviting environment that calls students to come and learn. You look at images and scour the internet, thinking of how you will prepare the perfect Montessori environment.
But when the school year begins, reality strikes. As you walk into the classroom that’s been sitting empty during break, you see the tables and chairs pushed to the side so the floors could be cleaned, and the shelves of materials covered in sheets to prevent dust. This does not resemble the welcoming environme ..read more
Montessori Teacher Training
7M ago
Among the many tools in the Montessori pedagogical toolkit, the Montessori three-period lesson stands out as a simple yet powerful method for introducing vocabulary. Whether you are teaching in the Montessori Early Childhood or Lower Elementary classroom, understanding what this foundational language lesson is—and what it is not—can greatly enhance the lesson’s effectiveness in the Montessori environment.
A child can only acquire the words he hears spoken around him. This is not teaching but absorption. The child is, by nature, hungry for words; he loves strange, long words like the n ..read more