I have trained with Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and hold three Assistant certificates for ages 0-3, 3-6 and 6-12. From AMI’s website, it is regarded as “the gold standard of Montessori teacher training, qualifying you to work in any Montessori school anywhere in the world”. I did my 3-6 and 6-12 Assistant trainings in person at Maria Montessori Institute, London, UK. I then did my 0-3 training online, offered also by the same Maria Montessori Institute, London, UK.
(For disambiguation: MMI, UK, is not to be confused with MMI Singapore. MMI UK stands for Maria Montessori Institute; MMI Singapore stands for Modern Montessori International. MMI is the only AMI training centre in UK; MMI Singapore does not offer AMI training but is a preschool chain.)
This is one of the top 3 questions I get asked most, so I thought I would give you a lowdown on training and a comparison of in-person and online training!
Before training
You have to submit an application, which includes a reference from a colleague, or anyone that you might volunteer or collaborate with. You don’t need a glowing resume. This is to ensure that you are safe to work around children and do not have any criminal background. I have written references for friends based on our volunteer work together, a paragraph or two that honestly vouches for the person’s integrity and character is sufficient.
I also had to do an audio interview with someone from AMI. She was friendly and polite. She asked me pretty standard questions about why I wanted to do AMI training, and asked if I had any questions that she could answer. (For the 3-6 interview, she offered me a place at the end of the interview, but for 6-12, I was placed on the waiting list due to oversubscription, so was only notified of my place later.)
During training
- In-person training
In-person training requires 60 contact hours at the Maria Montessori Institute, plus 9 additional hours of observation in a Montessori classroom. MMI would arrange classrooms for us to visit, if we were not already working in one.
The 60 hours consisted of:
- full-on lectures
- group discussions about selected parts of Montessori’s writings
- group exercises
The lectures formed the bulk of our training. They were enlightening, thorough and in-depth. A sampling of some lecture topics:
- Montessori history
- Montessori concepts like planes of development, needs and tendencies
- Role of adult
- Age-specific phases of development e.g. weaning and toileting for 0-3, weekly lesson conferences for 6-12
- Setting and maintaining the prepared environment
- Freedom and limits
This is not a full yearlong Diploma, so lessons or materials are not extensively taught. You will be disappointed if you join the training, expecting detailed coverage of all the Montessori materials.
However, for the 6-12 Assistant course, my cohort requested some lesson demonstrations if we finished covering that day’s topics early. We were treated to a grammar and an algebra demonstration. We also received an introduction to Montessori’s Great Stories, and were shown some impressionistic charts and materials used for the Great Stories.
For the 3-6 Assistant course, training was given on how to make language materials and give presentations on the three-period lesson and grace and courtesy (which we practised during the group exercises).
The tasks and exercises differ across training centres, so you may very well get assigned a different exercise!
2. Online training
The key difference between online and in-person training is the number of contact hours. For online training, we received 21 hours of live Zoom lectures, rather than 60 hours of in-person training. (The fees are the same, if I recall correctly.) There were also pre-recorded lectures that we could listen to in our own time.
The second difference is that with fewer contact hours, the time for group discussions and exercises were also limited. We had 3 x 10-20 min breakout sessions over Zoom.
I have found AMI training transformative, because of the quality and authenticity of the lectures, but also because we were surrounded by like-minded people learning and growing together. Those group discussions on Montessori’s books, and practising together how to give lessons on handwork or language, really fostered a sense of community. My classmates came from all over Europe and the world. Being physically together for the 3-6 and 6-12 trainings, we also got to know each other over lunches at the Pret a Manger next to MMI. I have since visited my classmates who have set up schools in other parts of the world, and kept in touch with others who have started Montessori-inspired businesses.
3. Course requirements
To pass each course and receive a certificate, you must complete:
- 3 x 500-word essays. You need not have perfect grammar, as many coursemates come from different language backgrounds. So long as your written English is understandable it will be read and graded
- 1-2 handmade materials to submit. You will be given guidance on the material. I had to make a basket of language objects OR sew a weaning placemat for 0-3. I had to make three-part cards AND write and illustrate a poetry anthology for 3-6
- 9 hours of observation. Handwritten observation notes are required, as typing on laptops could distract the child in the classroom or home. Also, a laptop is a big physical barrier blocking your line of sight from observing what is going on. For 3-6 and 6-12, I was assigned to classroom, and greatly enjoyed the experience. For 0-3, I had the choice of either watching 9 hours of video observation, or finding a child under 3yo to observe. You can observe your own child if they are in that age group, however, my children are “overage” so I sought a friend’s permission to observe her baby
Montessori being Montessori, I was not given any grades, but I was given remarks on my work. If your work exhibits misunderstandings or plagiarism, you will be asked to resubmit your work, but I’ve not had to do that myself. Phew!
After training
I have found the training transformative. The most important benefit hasn’t been coming away with more Montessori theory, but undergoing a personal transformation. Then we can see the child with renewed eyes. We may better appreciate and help him realise his potential by showing up as our best selves, without bias or preconceived notions, and preparing a responsive environment.
In-person training advantages: more contact hours, and a greater sense of community. Overall more transformative.
Other “perks”: being in the model classroom at Maria Montessori Institute, seeing some lesson demonstrations by the trainers, and observations at AMI or AMI-accredited schools.
Online training advantages: fewer contact hours. Perfect for anyone who cannot attend a physical training, as timezone and geographic location are no barriers to online learning. If you need flexibility, online training allows you to complete observations and pre-recorded lectures at your convenience.
Disadvantage: I don’t know if you would consider this a disadvantage, but the trainings are to train adults for being in a Montessori classroom. Therefore, if you are taking this as a parent, you will need to do alot of translation to your everyday parenting. AMI Assistant training (global list of centres here) will give you a solid grasp of Montessori principles and concepts but it is up to you to put them into practice in your home.
Conclusion
Everyday parenting is different from the Montessori classroom, because the parent-child dynamic is different from the student-guide dynamic. Parenting is messy, raw, imperfect; often you are parenting on the back of sleep deprivation and no personal space or time.
It’s why I developed my Montessori parenting courses. Based on authentic Montessori learned from my three AMI Assistant trainings; designed with the busy modern parent in mind.
Therefore, for my 0-6yo courses, you get bite-sized mini-lectures that can be accessed 24/7. They’re even subtitled so you can watch on mute when your kids are around. You get authentic activity/ lesson ideas daily, that can be set up cheaply and quickly. Three of my courses are on Instagram so learning is as easy as scrolling your social media.
For my Elementary (6-12yo) course, I blend my Montessori training with my experience working in mainstream education at the school and ministry levels. If your children attend school but you want to give them a Montessori home and Montessori approach to schoolwork, this is the course for you. I have yet to see another like it.
You will receive from any training as much as you put into it. Whatever training you choose, whether my courses or AMI’s or others, I wish you a transformative experience.