AMI Training Courses

AMI 3-6 Assistants Certificate Course International

Certificate Course for assistants in Montessori Primary Classrooms.
The course is also suitable and beneficial to school administrators and parents.

Goal of the Course:

The intention of the Assistants Course is to help interested adults become
able assistants in a Montessori Children’s House. The task of the Assistant is to support and help the
teacher maintain equilibrium within the class, to observe, to learn when and how to intervene and not
interfere, to acquire the ability to allow the children to become more and more independent, to gain
knowledge of Montessori’s understanding of Freedom and Discipline, to acquire the ability to support the development of the child by assisting the teacher.

Trainer:

Elina Rautasalo

Course language:

English

Obligatory reading:

• The Secret of Childhood
• The Absorbent Mind
• The Child in the Family
• Education for a New World

Requirements for Certification:

● Submission of three papers (500 words) on topics set by the Trainer during the period of the
Course.
● 9 hours of observation.
● Submission of observation notes and observation report.
● Submission of handmade materials.
● Submission of any other work as given by the Trainer.
● Minimum of 90% attendance.

The Course Content:

I. Introduction to Montessori
II. The Role of the Directress
III. The Role of the Assistant
IV. Overview of the Planes of Development
V. The Child’s Mind from 0-6 years, Sensitive Periods
VI. Order: The importance of Order and Precision, Order in the development of personality
VII. Movement 0-6: Development of Movement and its significance for the child
VIII. Language: Development of, also taking into account the following elements:

• Preparation of the adult, Use of language in general
• Vocabulary: correct, precise, rich, scientifically exact
• How to listen to children, How to elicit language

IX. Independence: development, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, interdependence
X. Prepared environment: Home and Casa dei Bambini (the physical and the intangible)
XI. Freedom and Discipline: Concept from MM point of view, growth of Discipline as inner
development

XII. Social Development
XIII. Observation and its relevance (technique and recording of)
XIV. Music and Art
XV: Maintaining the environment (indoor and outdoor)

Further content:

Reading of MM texts and discussion. Practice of basic movements: walking, carrying trays, chairs, materials. Opening and closing doors, drawers, as models for the children in a Montessori Prepared Environment. Essential grace and courtesy – greeting children, giving appropriate assistance in the cloakroom. Introduction of techniques for making, mending and maintaining materials.

Price: 800 Eur

First part of the course fee in the amount of 400 Euro is payable upon application. Second half of the payment is due before the third module of the course. Schools which send 3 and more students and returning clients are entitled to a 15% discount which will be reflected in the 2nd payment.

Equal Opportunity Policy.

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all people who work and study at the Institute. If you have any special learning needs, and need any accommodation to help you or special support, please let us know during your application process.

How to apply:

Enrollment criteria: Adequate level of English to enable efficient study in the course, ability to study at a higher academic level, positive motivation to study and willingness to positively and constructively cooperate with the Course Director and Co-Director and the training center staff, filled out online application form and payment of the first part of the fee. Further, computer availability and good access to the Internet for the whole time of the course and a quiet place to study. When we receive your application package, we will review it and let you know the result of the enrollment process. Every student who fulfills the enrollment criteria will be accepted to the course.

Online format:

● There will be live lectures given by trainers on “Zoom” platform.
● Course work and course communication will be done on platform “Schoology”.
● The course requires general ability to use computers and the internet and willingness to learn to
use Zoom and Schoology platforms.
● Students will receive technical support during the period of time when the course is given.