Be a Trained Montessori Teacher with Professional Training

The contemporary time in this world is completely surrounded by technology. Health, education, personal welfare everything is just a click away. Bringing up a child in this technologically advanced age can be quite challenging, they already know the World Wide Web. Thus, to nurture a child’s emotional and behavioural capabilities in a better way a form of early education is needed that helps a kid grow with intelligence and empathy rather than a mechanical being. 

The Montessori form of education plays a pivotal role in a child’s early education. It has evolved since ages at par with the fast paced world but it still holds the principles of its founder. Sometimes we confuse Montessori teaching with traditional ways of teaching; however, both are entirely different. While traditional learning  focuses mainly on academics and follow a set curriculum and discipline Montessori  education focuses on the child’s acquisition of academic, social, practical and life skills. In traditional education system a child is a passive participant in learning, taught by a teacher, sitting at desks, copying from the board and they are limited to what they are given. Through Montessori education a child learns by linking their physical and cognitive senses, they learn at their own pace. The child can move around and work where he/she is comfortable, they are inspired to build internal self-discipline and emphasis is laid on the overall intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development.
Montessori education offers our children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out into the world as a responsible citizen with understanding and compassion. This education system is beneficial to the children in many ways. Each child is valued as a unique individual and to accommodate individual interests the Montessori system has a wide variety. The teacher has to know how to guide each child with an individualized learning plan that compliments the child’s curiosity and skills. The classrooms become a close knit caring and sharing community. The teachers have to instil love and kindness in them, help them solve their problems and resolve conflicts peacefully.  Montessori students enjoy freedom within limits; Montessorians understand that internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime. Teachers provide environments where students have the freedom and the tools to pursue answers to their own questions.
The teacher plays the most important role in moulding a child. As Montessori education provides unique learning opportunities a teacher must be well accustomed to the principles and methods of the system. The Montessori teacher should not only concentrate on teaching but also on the child’s learning. The teacher should create an environment for the child where learning looks attractive. The teacher should present their best self and cater to each individual need. Thus, training of the teachers is an important aspect. They should know perseverance and be prepared to handle unexpected responsibilities. A teacher should know the difference between rote learning and exploring one’s own ideas and capabilities. A teacher should bring about the best in the child and prepare him/her to think critically, work collaboratively towards building a better world.

Provide a Nurturing Environment as a Montessori Teacher

Montessori teachers view children and classroom education differently than the common teacher-student relationship. Their focus shifted from academic education to encouraging each child’s individuality by providing nurturing environment to teach social interactions and emotional skills. In order to achieve this goal Montessori methods are often applied in class and thus bringing about overall development at early age of a child.

The Montessori Method was developed by Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, the educator and physician had altogether different outlook towards child growth and development.  The method focuses on each child’s internal guidance for self-directed development. Herein the teacher is like a monitor or guide keeping a watch at the classroom for smooth flow of learning and avoiding obstacles, without directly instructing or involving in the free ambience of the classroom. The lessons given by the teacher only revolves round helping the child with use or play with various instructional toys in the classroom.
Instead of instructing with lectures, handouts, worksheets and lesson plans, a Montessori teacher will offer guidance while the children themselves responsible for their own learning in individual or group. The classroom will contain several stations, each having different toy sets allowing the child to explore and learn. One station can have bucket of Lego blocks and several pictures of simple objects like an apple or a house which the children will build if they want. Other stations might have books, xylophone, pencils and crayons which will involve them in engaging activities. The idea behind this is that children will learn through playing.
Another interesting Montessori classroom is age grouping. Montessori classrooms often have mixed-age class, for example children ages ranging from three to six. This is important because children at different stages learn in their different pace. And younger children learn by watching older children play. This is also known as scaffolding, a method of social learning.
A Montessori classroom is completely different form typical classroom in a number of ways. This difference has to be considered by the teacher while providing a nurturing environment to develop children independently in a well-rounded manner. BY allowing them to play on their own and instead of letting them listen to lectures, classroom allows children develop the motivation to learn and explore.
If you are planning to be a Montessori teacher then training is absolutely is necessary to keep yourself updates with the Montessori approaches to needed to be applied in a classroom. There are different levels of Montessori Teachers Training- Certificate, Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma which will help you develop and prepare yourself in a Montessori environment.  Instead of information passing from teacher to student, herein the teacher is now skilled to put the children in an environment and help them to learn by making intelligent choices and carry out research in a prepared environment. The teacher constantly protects the student’s concentration from interruption. This fosters a love of learning in the students. There is in fact a triangle between- student, parent or teacher and the environment. It’s the role of the adult to prepare and continue preparing the environment to link the child to it through introductions of various learning inputs like- books and materials, projects and lessons. All this nurtures the child’s exploration and creative zeal. Hence, children often learn to surpass the level of education of their peers and knowledge of the adults around them and they learn to find answers by themselves.
The Montessori school environment is arranged according to subject area like cooking, cleaning, gardening, art and craft and caring for animals, library corner etc wherein the children move around the classroom instead of sitting at the desks. There is no limit posed on the child to their pace of learning. They can take longer time in learning things new to them. The mixed age groups of children learn from each other, facilitated by careful observation, individual lessons and keeping record by the teacher. All this help the teacher in developing a bonding with the students. This nurturing environment provides the base for complete growth and development of the children.

How to Increase the ‘Eat Q’ of the Kids

Eating together in the class room with other friends is how kids learn to make healthy food choices, to communicate with others and to master table manners. But here you as a teacher need to play the most vital role of teaching them healthy food habits and instilling the sense of healthy eating and its importance among them. Also the kids are staying for a long time in school hence you need to take care of their proper nutrition as well. If you insist that young kids sit with the friends at a certain time even if they are not ready for it at that time or are refusing to eat, they will start to become skilled at the rules of dining together. Here is how you can make hay while the sun shines.

First you need to set up a healthy regular snack and meal schedule in school. Most kids do well with one meal and one snack while in school. When the kid’s body is used to a proper time schedule for meal and snack, hunger and appetite are more regular. This helps the young person feel more in adjust with his or her body.
You also need to have the child eat a healthy meal time. Suggest their parents to pack fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cereals, bread, meat, dry fruits etc. for their meal. Make sure that they do not eat junk foods, fast foods, chocolates, sweet or fried foods regularly. It may suits their taste buds but will result into weigh gain, cavities, stomach problem and other diseases.

Read More: Preparing For The Next Activity

But you should keep in mind that the food should be also tasty which they will be eager to eat. Find at least one food that the child likes, offering healthy and tasty snacks that the child will enjoy. Keep the meal time interesting, pleasant and positive. For example you can take a balanced approach by cheering healthier treats and smaller piece of those treats. Like get the kids in the habit of sharing one small bowl of French fries once in a while.
Another is to confirm a meal and snacks time and limit meals to a reasonable length of time. Eating lunch should not take longer than 30 minutes. If essential, you can even create an organized meal and snacks sitting arrangement.
After you promote a healthy meal time and food schedule, encourage the kids to drink a lot of water and limit sweet drinks. As a teacher it is also your duty to teach them the importance of drinking water and that they never go thirsty. Also offer lots of vegetables and fruits every day. For example, add some fruit to the kid’s snack, and include some carrot sticks in the kid's lunch.

Read More: Start It Right from the Beginning

Another effective way instilling interest and love for fruits and veggies among the kids is to have them grow some vegetables or fruits in school garden. Let the kids have their own plants to take care of. Or you can keep some cooking classes where the kids can make their own salads or fruit shake. This will add a new dimension to their eating schedule.
Finally keep in mind that you are the one whom they look up to so be a good role model. If kids see you are trying to eat right and getting physically active it will send a message that good health and right eating is absolutely essential.

Montessori Course for Teaching Aspirants

"We may even suffocate life itself. That humanity which is revealed in its entire intellectual splendour during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.”  Maria Montessori
 

Maria Montessori established teaching methods in the late nineteenth century that involves imparting exercise to the child when his mind is more adaptive to pick up and comply with things quite easily within the environment. Those principles not only inspire self-learning but also allow child to gain skills and good behavioural patterns through communication and activities. People who love teaching, especially kids including passionate parents interested to teach may enroll for a Montessori Course. They need tools to understand like Magic box, colour tablets, geometric solids, sound boxes, etc., as language understanding. The course includes of different features of child development and psychology, the need for music and art, nutrition, hygiene, moral teaching, child’s rights, methods for education that includes teaching and reading, both for the regular children as well as for children with special needs and their introduction in the schools are some of the pre requisites of this course. She is that ‘guide’ who would classify the uniqueness in each child and encourage liberated thinking and help them develop as an individual and reach their own potential, applying numerous methods with each one of them.
 

Read More: The Altered Role of a Modern Montessori Teacher
 

A Montessori teacher functions not as a teacher but as a role model and a guide to each child’s growth and improvement and follows the methods of Maria Montessori. The Montessori Method gives ample amount of freedom and flexibility to the child to make proper use of their own thought and aptitude to learn new things. Nonetheless there is a job satisfaction that is most important of everything. On the other hand, taking Montessori teaching job even with a low salary will be a practical decision on the part of the candidates as it enables them to gain knowledge while getting practical exposure to the learning environment. To gain sureness, a fresher must first try to appear for interview in Montessori schools for kindergarten level, though teachers with at least two years of experience can seek higher paid Montessori jobs quite easily. The training institute conducting the certificate courses or trying through online job portals are best way to find teaching jobs. Also, many schools only employ certified teachers who meet their basic requirement requirement as well. 

Read More: A Montessori Teacher Acts as a Guide
 

Usually, aspirants owning multiple skills such as diploma in art and craft, music, dancing and also knowledgeable ones are favored. Good salary is presented to teachers on the basis of interview in which their intelligence level and inclination towards teaching are judged that must meet the standards of job profile. Hence a certificate in any of the Montessori courses will come handy and give an upper hand in this highly competitive market. There is a shortage of well-trained Montessori teachers around the world and hence finding a position with a Montessori trained certificate will be comparatively easier. After becoming a certified Montessori teacher, the teachers may apply in Montessori schools where they have the benefit of receiving a much higher pay than their non-trained colleagues.

The Altered Role of a Modern Montessori Teacher

Education affects a century and the future of the nation depends upon the hands of the teachers who shape the little minds from an early age so that they can make the earth a better place to live. The aspect of education has transformed vividly over the past few years. The nations are now extremely serious about the betterment of the learning and now a day the education has been focusing on child centric learning where the kids are eager participant of the learning process. Montessori Educators are working hard to prepare kids with the skills needed for achievement in the 21st century world. In addition teachers must foster learning backgrounds that buoy up critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, communication and responsibility among the kids. Montessori teachers prepare kids for the boundless future ahead.Effective Montessori teachers are all the time more using a student focused approach encouraging interaction among the students themselves. The Montessori teacher allows kids to talk over class things with buddies or in groups, thus take full advantage of the level of participation. Montessori Teachers turn teaching space into lively scenes of association, a variety of activity areas which are valuable for cooperative learning. Montessori Teachers can further facilitate goal setting through the use of organizers, anchor charts and of personal charts for early learners towards reading and writing.

Today’s children are born in the age of the Internet. To connect with these kids, Montessori teachers must learn to become conversant with the technology that comes so as you would expect to the young. Montessori teachers need to teach by the means tapping into interests and providing inspiring learning opportunities. In contrast to the traditional teaching of subjects in isolation, teaching multiple subjects simultaneously can help students go much deeper in learning concepts and skills. It can be easy to blend math, science, or social studies content with reading or writing. However, it is more challenging to combine all the subjects at once.Teachers need to keep up with the latest fashion, as well as meaningful reflection about how to use them to enrich learning. Naturally, this method asks more from the teacher.

Read More: A Montessori Teacher Acts as a Guide
 

Offering choices is an excellent motivator for kids.This involves children carrying out a project that ends up with a concrete result of some kind. The kids ask the teacher to guide children in developing solutions to real-world problems. The children generate their own questions according to their interests, which they then explore. These methods work so well because they engage children in exploring and uncovering the information in a more meaningful way in which all the subjects come into play together. Montessori teachers can customize instruction to match students’ who have not fully grasped the previous content yet. Montessori teachers can observe how the kids are learning as they teach, using observations, class discussions, learning logs, peer assessments, self-assessments, among other methods. Allowing children to select activities based on areas of interest is another great way to get their attention. Montessori teachers training helps the aspiring teachers grasp the up to date methods of teaching by providing activities and materials to the kids to grip theory attention and interest which have important role in the classroom. The modern education system demands to a transformative role of the teachers where they are the guide to connect the love for education among the kids.

Invest in Your Career - Become A Pre-Primary Teacher

Becoming a pre –primary teacher as it’s a noble cause of making the backbone of the nation strong while spreading knowledge to the young learners. You might be a corporate professional not happy with your present job profile. This is the right time to invest your career in pre and primary teaching.

In order to teach young kids you need to have special skills regarding handling their issues and queries and resolving those. Learn to become their guide or gaining their trust, outside the comfort zone of their house, besides their parents. There are numerous techniques by which you can handle a classroom of kids with diverse attention span or learning capacity. Pre primary teacher training is absolutely necessary for the teacher to learn modern methods and techniques to teach children.

The training imparted by us is most flexible with both online and distance mode of learning. You will get constant tutor support throughout the course. The social media connect groups help to share experience among the trainees and the trainers. There is a placement support with course completion.

Read more: DIY Ideas for Decorating Primary Classroom

 

Our trained teachers shine high in the global market. They can provide the interactive and innovative learning environment and are keen observer to child’s growth and development. They not just understand the need of today’s children but knew scientific techniques to design classrooms. And thus they can face new challenges that emerge in a classroom at any part of the globe.

Today’s kids are very sensitive towards learning goals and processes. They learn fast with help of technologies introduced in the classroom. The Montessori teachers make this process smooth and the learning joyful by providing an environment that is conducive to their learning. They don’t penetrate but stand aside and monitor their performances and letting their space to develop on their own. At times they intervene whenever there is a need to answer a query or resolve a tiff.

These are unique teaching techniques that you gain during the teacher training program with us. Then you all get to practice these in our different partner schools. The teaching practices are conducted to test your efficiency which is monitored and observed by trainer and experts.

All this leads to holistic development of children aged between 2-12 years.  The Nursery, Montessori and Kindergarten ages till class five the learners have tremendous growth in terms of their mind and body. Thereafter the process gradually slows down. Thus in this crucial age the teacher plays a vital role and the contribution of the teacher is the most. Thus it can be understood that to become successful is not everything but to go ahead an extra mile to make and build the nation’s backbone is of vital necessity. 

Read more: Pre and Primary Teaching and Responsibility of Teachers

 

But this does not mean that you will be underpaid. Teaching profession is rewarding in all aspects. You will earn respect and at the same time get a salary package that will fit your pocket adequately. With the growing demand for pre primary school teachers in South Asia, there is high scope for employment. Here’s your chance to start up in this booming sector and at the same time lay the foundation of the nation as a responsible citizen.

Montessori Method Encourages Teachers to be “Guide on the Side”

A Montessori teacher is a facilitator. The basic montessorian principal is that teachers should be a guide-on-the –side rather than a sage-on-the-stage. It is such that even a top-down learning environment is non-productive for the student. Education is effective rather successful when the student is an independent learner. In this regards, Montessori teachers must complete teacher training programs to be more credentialed teachers. 

In this Montessori environment, there should be deep respect for the young learners. In such a classroom setting the students can freely flourish in a setting that is supportive and respectful of their individuality, abilities and potential.  Here the students are intrinsically motivated by letting them to work on their interest and goals and not for their external rewards. 

Read More: Montessori Method is a Child Centred Method of Education

 

The children’s learn at their own pace provided a classroom that is designed in a structure that facilitates students. In this environment, develops the skills to independent problem solving by allowing them to explore, discover, research and learn by themselves. During this phase, the teacher closely monitors the progress of each student, helping her make good choices that support learning and exploration of all subjects within an academic curriculum.

It’s an approximate 3 year cycle when the students remain with the same teachers and thus benefitting the teachers to have intimate knowledge of each individual student’s learning style and potential. It is an add-on to the consistency in a student’s academic life. The curriculum is also such that it is kept in a spiralling manner throughout the three year cycle which develops the greater understanding of the academic subjects.

Similarly, the students are engaged in tasks that relate directly to everyday practical skills. Like, caring for oneself and the environment, organizing and using household materials, are employed in the classroom to help students build critical-thinking, decision-making skills and fine motor coordination skills. 

Another important aspect of Montessori education is thoughtful engagement with others in a respectful manner. These are the building blocks for the peace curriculum that is ever present in a Montessori school. Compassion is characteristics that are held high in the Montessori curriculum. 

Read More: Certified Montessori Teachers are Always in Demand

 

Learning is thus not simply to complete an assignment or achieve a test score successfully. Curiosity and life-long intellectual pursuit of knowledge is a means for life. Montessori students learn to take risks in their academic work and think creatively without a feat of failure, thanks to the teachers, their mentors. Montessori teacher trainingcourses are prepares the teacher in coordination of a classroom full of children with diverse attention span. Each child’s lifetime learning process begins at school holding hands with the teacher. Surprisingly, the Montessori teacher training has been beneficial for the teachers in a substantial manner. It has proven to work in favour of the school environment and child growth and development.

Montessori Method is a Child Centred Method of Education

Montessori is an innovative, child-centred approach to education. Herein given developmentally appropriate materials and the freedom to follow their interest, they joyfully teach themselves. This approach fosters child’s natural inclination to learn. The Montessori teacher guide rather than monitor or instruct, linking each student with activities that meet his needs, interest and developmental level. The classroom thus designed to allow movement and collaboration, as it also promotes concentration and sense of order.
Montessori education offers our children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out into the world as engaged, competent, responsible and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life-
a.    Each child is unique individual- Montessori education recognizes that children learn in different ways and accommodates all learning styles. Students are also free to learn at their own pace, each advancing through the curriculum as he is ready, guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.

b.    Beginning at early age, Montessori students develop order, coordination, concentration and independence- Classroom design materials and daily routines support the individual’s emerging self-regulation by ability to educate one’s self from toddlers through adolescents.

c.    Students are a part of close and caring community- The multi-age classroom typically spanning 3 years recreates a family structure. The older students enjoy stature as mentors and role models. And the younger ones feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead. Teachers model respect, loving kindness and a belief in peaceful conflict resolution.

d.    Montessori students enjoy freedom within limits- working within parameters set by their teachers; students are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be. Montessori approach understands internal satisfaction that drives child’s curiosity and interest and thus resulting in joyous learning that are sustainable for a longer period of time.

e.     Students becoming active knowledge seeker- Preschool Teachers provides freedom and an environment wherein the students get freedom and tools to pursue answers to their own questions.

f.    Self correction and self assessment as a part of Montessori approach- As they mature, students learn to look critically at their works and become adept at recognizing, correcting and learning from their errors.

Read More: A Montessori Teacher Acts as a Guide
Given complete freedom and support at the same time, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic and self directed learners. Montessori methods thus create the strong base of the learners to lead a successful life in the future to come.
Montessori teacher training is quintessential for any preschool teacher to adapt to modern day teaching techniques and methodologies. They need to organize classroom with adequate resource materials and provide students freedom with mix of guidance in a cordial manner and everything that will make up a great learning environment.

Few Guidelines to Motivate the Kids

Teaching is an outstanding option to revisit your childhood days. There are lots of reasons to become a teacher. The number one reason to become a teacher is that you will make a difference in kids’ lives.Wonderful are the teachers who teach magnificently and impart knowledge asking the little students what they lack and how improvement can be brought in their method and approach of teaching. Also if you like to convey knowledge to the kids, then it might be a superior plan to become a teacher. If you are already a teacher, but you cannot find a job at a higher position is possibly an opportunity. Many teachers in Montessori schools take it upon themselves to teach students to get engaged of doing a job well and helping their class mates and their teachers have a happy and successful time at school. The Montessori educators need to motivate the kids to ensure the smooth running of their class rooms. It also discusses the reasons behind giving students these class room responsibilities. The teacher needs to make his/ her learners engaged to help them get the best out of their time at school.

 

A kid’s life changes every single moment. Kids are naturally imaginative and creative. As a Montessori teacher, you have to bring out these qualities in the child. Art is one of the many ways children express themselves. Art and games are the best ways for children to communicate their feelings and emotions. In a Montessori environment, the teachers provide open ended activities which help children explore and use their creativity. This kind of games helps the kids think logically and learn faster. The lesson they get will be gently fixed in their brain. The games and the arts also help the kids to learn language faster. The puzzles games are a brilliant way to nurture the kid’s IQ. If you are a Montessori teacher you always need to keep in mind that the future of the kid is to be built by you. The creativity and the logical skills must be well brought out by you who will help the kid gain higher IQ.

Read More : Inspiring the Kids to Learn
The teachers need to motivate the kids to learn. Your primary focus will be to engage kids in a brilliant way which indulges the memory and interest of the kids. In addition teachers must foster learning environments that encourage critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, communication and responsibility. Early childhood teachers prepare kids for the boundless future ahead. Today’s kids are born in the age of the Internet. The importance of many innovative tools can enhance student learning. Allowing children to select activities based on areas of interest is another great way to differentiate. Offering choices is an excellent motivator for kids. In contrast to the traditional teaching of subjects in isolation, teaching multiple subjects simultaneously can help students go much deeper in learning concepts and skills. Allowing children to select activities based on areas of interest is another great way to differentiate. Teaching multiple subjects simultaneously can help students go much deeper in learning concepts and skills.A Montessori teacher is the primary care giver of the kid as well. Starting from nutrition to developing cognitive skills, the teacher is the builder of the basic blocks of a kid’s future. Hence a proper training is needed to form a child centric classroom where the kids are the explorers.

Usage of Flashcards in a Young Learner's Classroom

Introduction of vocabulary to young learners needs special attention. It is a good idea to use real items to engage and involve them.  But it is not always possible or even realistic for teachers to present real items in the classroom. Flashcards could be a great way out in such a situation of introduction of new vocabulary as that the learners can have better understanding of the word or concept.
While introducing flashcards or picture cards in the classroom, try to build up a story by creating mystery or suspense about the cards. This adds to their curiosity and they tend to show their interest in learning. Rather than just flipping the cards and making them repeat words after it, incorporate the cards in various activities. Thus it will be engrossing and eventually the students will remember the words.

Now repeat the vocabulary learnt in other activities or as a part of other lesson that could be story book reading, preparing a worksheet or song. Allow the students to display meaningful gestures while singing together and in the due process practice vocabulary lessons.
Read More: Design Games to Teach Grammar to Young Learners
Some of the ways to introduce and review kid’s learning using flashcards:-
1-One of the simple yet ideal measures to engage student’s interest is by introducing a new item with a Mystery Box. And they give them hint about what is inside and let the student guess.
2- Go through the picture cards and then pick the one which you think will attract attention of the students due to its familiarity. Now place two cards on the floor of the classroom. Then divide the students into two teams and then line up and hand them an eraser to each of the students standing in the front. Now the teacher will call out one of the cards & two students will have to place the eraser on the correct card. Then whoever achieves it first, will win a point for his team. Repeat this several times with more cards while you introduce such vocabulary that are known to the students in the classroom and that point gives them vocal hints. 
3- In a comfortable classroom ambience make the students sit in a circle along with the teacher. The teacher initiates the game by passing the card to a student saying- this is a horse. The student takes the card and passes on to the next student repeating the same. The card passes across the classroom of students in circle. The card returns to the teacher in the same manner, he keeps it aside and passes a new card to the student with another introduction. This can be played tactfully by passing more cards or stopping them halfway and then passing a newer one.  In this game the students tend to learn vocabularies.
4- Choose six picture cards and number them 1-6 with a whiteboard marker and place them on the whiteboard with magnets. Divide the class into two teams. Then ask one student to roll the big dice which the entire class would watch eagerly which number comes up. The first student to say the name of the vocabulary card with the same number of the dice will win points for his own team. If no one knows the answer, make the student learn it and then repeat the game till everyone correctly knows all the names. When such situation arises introduce set of new cards.
5- Take two sheets of paper same as the picture cards. Make several holes randomly on one of the sheets. In the second sheet cut larger holes in the same spots. Cover a flashcard with this second sheet and at the top place the first one with small holes. Now as one looks at the picture could see only a part of it. Now the game would be to guess the whole picture while you slowly remove the large holed sheet gradually bit by bit.
The above mentioned activities can be immensely fruitful in engaging students. You can prepare some more activities based on your experience during Montessori teacher training. The courses on young learners prepare you adequately to deal with such difficult and diversified classroom.

A Montessori Teacher is a Keen Observer of Children's Activities

A Montessori teacher’s role is not just teaching but work as a keen observer of child’s activities leading to overall growth and development.  The Montessori teachers are the prime driving factor in the classroom. Initially they prepare and organize learning materials to involve the children in those activities and then observing those and guiding them in the learning process. 

 

Working as a facilitator and a guide, the Montessori teacher prepares a Montessori environment and an atmosphere that mostly designed to move students out of their comfort zone into one activity to another.  Now the teacher steps back a little allowing the students to learn from their own discoveries and draw their own conclusions. The teacher would initiate their thinking by asking them critical questions like how they would solve a problem, and thus enhance their thinking skills or process. It is likely that students learn from the surrounding environment and their peers than directly from the teacher. Thus while planning daily lesson; Montessori teacher must be alert to the changing moods, behaviour, interest and progress of each child.

Read More: Montessori Classrooms Should Be Buzzing With Activity
Montessori teachers are scientific observers of children.  They must avoid rewarding and punishing for good or poor work. They never criticize or intervene in a child’s work or discovery. It is in this trusting environment that a child’s personality grows. Children therefore must have the freedom to choose their own activities and learn to behave without any form of restrictions.
Thus the role of a Montessori teacher can be explained in the following points:-
1.    Montessori teachers are the connecting link between children and the learning environment.
2.    They systematically observe the children and interpret those recorded observations to understand their needs.
3.    They are constantly modifying or experimenting with the environment to meet their perceptions of children’s need and interest.
4.    While preparing the environment they should facilitate the independence of children wherein they freely select work that they find appealing and interesting and adding to it or removing materials that are not needed.
5.    They observe carefully each child’s individual progress.
6.    The Montessori teacher respects and protects the student’s independence. Must be aware when to step in and set limits or lending a helping hand, and when to step back and not to interfere all for the child’s best interest.
7.    They are supportive offering a form of warmth, security and stability to each child.
8.    They facilitate communication among themselves and help them learn to communicate their thoughts to adults.
9.    They present clear, relevant and interesting lessons to the children. They attempt to engage the child’s interest and then note their observations which are helpful in generating an atmosphere effective for learning.
10.    They are educators who keep calm and peace consistently while working to with children.
11.    They are diagnosticians who can interpret pattern of growth, development and behaviours for proper understanding of children and make necessary referrals and suggestions to their parents.

Read More: How to Teach Kids to Write
Certificate in young learners could be the best way out for Montessori teachers to adequately guide them into the process of learning. They tend to lose interest and often divert from learning. They are so engrossed in themselves that they hardly engage in activities and communicate with others. The Montessori teacher training courses are ultimate saviour for the teachers. They learn the above mentioned methods or techniques in inspiring students and educating them in the due process. As the keen observer of children activities they know how much they are gaining and progressing. And based on their observation they build an environment of trust and absolutely favourable atmosphere to engage and involve students.

Your Teaching should Increase Pupil Engagement

Engaging students is one of the major challenges teachers face on a daily basis. Motivation and engagement play a vital role in student’s interest and enjoyment in school. Because it has been observed those who are engaged in learning tend to perform higher academically and are better behaved than others. Student’s engagement and achievement are therefore correlated and all depend on the skill of the teacher in classroom management.
Student engagement can be described as a tendency to be behaviourally, emotionally and cognitively involved in academic activities. Teachers play a vital role in their engagement and motivation. Your confidence in teaching, enjoyment and effective orientations in the classroom leave a positive impact on the student’s engagement.

The following suggestions will guide you to improve and cultivate student motivation and thus engagement that comes with it:-
Maintaining your physical and mental stability: Undeniably teaching is a stressful job and it is absolutely necessary on the part of teachers to take care of their mental and physical wellbeing. They should engage themselves in relaxing activities because as much as you alleviate your stress it will reflect in the classroom and have positive impact on the mutual relationship between student and teacher. Teachers who feel good about themselves maintain patience and mingle and interact in a better way with the students. Stress busters for teachers could be: yoga, work-outs, jogging, healthy eating, biking, dancing and meditation.
Welcoming classroom environment for students of all cultures: To be engaged in a classroom, students must feel the environment where they are accepted and affirmed. The environment should be warm and inviting towards students giving a feeling of warmth and attachment.
Read More: Build a Safe Learning Environment as a Pre-primary Teacher

Ensuring student’s self belief:  Researches have shown that student’s engagement to achieve goals important to them is possible when they have self-belief. They must believe in themselves that they can learn, deal with failures and gain experiences from those. Students hence must be involved in problem –solving activities and in discussions to solve those. This helps them to work on their commitment and confidence towards learning.
Observation of Student’s preferences:  Teachers can connect with students having adequate knowledge and understanding what students like and dislike. It could be favourite books, movies or games they like most. This collected information can be used for motivating and engaging in the academic activities by building a rapport with them.
Work autonomously & collaborate with peer groups: Student’s should be allowed to work autonomously and with others, and thus develop a sense of competence and thus resulting in greater student engagement and motivation. 
Active learning group:  The key components to engagement are active learning groups, peer relationships and social skills.
Challenging and enriching educational experiences: Easy learning activities are not always effective in engaging students as those do not pose challenge to them. With difficult activities students start reflecting, questioning, evaluating, conjecturing and thus are engaged. Your responsibility is to create rich educational experiences that would pose challenge to the student’s ideas and make they walk a level ahead.
Recognizing the teacher’s role: Teacher must keep up their professional development through involvement in various educational activities such as reading journals, attending workshops and webinars etc. Thus you have to keep yourself updated with all the new techniques and strategies of teaching.
Read More: Smart Things Every Teacher Should Teach the Kids

The role of a teacher in motivating and engaging students is not an easy task as it might sound. While much of it is intrinsic to the student, teachers play a vital role in cultivating student’s engagement. And this has a greater implication on the student’s academic and behavioural success. Teacher training courses highlight on these qualities of a teacher to perform better and engage students in the learning process.

How to Teach Kids to Write

A kid begins her/ his journey of writing as he/ she learns to write with the colourful scribbles. Indeed, it is a treat for the eyes of the preschool teachers as well to look at the joy that comes over a child's face when he/ she is offered a pencil and a blank piece of paper. As soon as a kid can grasp a pencil and wave his hands over a blank piece of paper he has the ability to make marks. One of the most valuable things a teacher can provide the child is a supportive, stimulating and happy environment.

There is a right way to teach the child to write and make the jump to writing their names and the letters. A lot of writing depends on fine motor development of a kid. For most children, the first word they learn to write is her name. Writing is one of the developmental milestones which vary greatly from child to child.

A teacher always needs to encourage a kid’s writing by keeping paper, pencils, crayons, and chalk within an easy reach. The teacher should know many ways to pique interest like he/ she can pour sand onto a tray and show the kid how to trace letters with a finger. It is exciting to see when a child's scribbles begin to look more like real letters. A teacher need to first start with the kids drawing lines and then connecting the lines to form letters like E, X, Y, F. Letters like M, N may be found difficult for the kids to write at the very beginning. Some kids catch onto learning letters very quickly and others need more repetition and time learning letters. The teacher needs to give the kids more time to understand the letters formation. Sandpaper letters are an integral part of the Montessori approach to learning how to read and write. These letters provide a visual way to help children learn the alphabet shape. Creating an alphabet book is a fun way to capture all the first writing attempts of the child. A teacher may find that after a few months the child suddenly recognizes every letter. One way to keep the alphabet writing enjoyable is to include games and crafts. The kids need a variety of activities to stimulate their interest and to reach them the way that they learn best. When the kid is ready to begin writing her/ his name the teacher can write the letters in large letters on a big sheet of paper. Later on the teacher can add the traditional written form with the first letter capitalized and the rest lowercase when you teach her to write her name and can use multisensory practice tracing over the letters. Montessori teacher training provides with a big set of ideas for the kids which the aspirants learn and implement in the classrooms which he/ she can pick knowing what works best for your kids.