Course Description

The 3-6 Assistants  Course Adjunct is a new AMI 20-hour face-to-face course that supplements the AMI 3-6 Orientation Course. It provides practical experience regarding the Role of an Adult as an Assistant in a Montessori Prepared Environment. Receipt of the AMI 3-6 Orientation Course Certificate of Completion is required to participate in the AMI 3-6 Assistants Course Adjunct. Successful participation in all Assistants Course Adjunct Requirements leads to the award of the AMI Assistants Course Certificate of Completion.

Course Components

• Overview of the Montessori 3-6 Prepared Environment: Tangible and Intangible Elements
• The Role of the Lead Adult in the Montessori 3-6 Prepared Environment
• The Role of an Assistant in the Montessori 3-6 Prepared Environment
• Exploration of Activities Appropriate to the Assistants Role for ages 3-6, including but not limited to:
  – Observation to support the work of children and adults during ages 3-6
  – Spoken Language Activities; the Importance of Correct, Precise, Rich, and Scientifically Exact Vocabulary; Listening to Children; Eliciting Language; the Three Period Lesson
  – Adult Movement in the Prepared Environment as a Mod
  – Essential Grace and Courtesy in the Prepared Environment
  – Activities for Music and Art
• Supporting Functional Independence
• As appropriate for the 3-6 level: Sample activities and materials–design; techniques for presentation; material maintenance; material-making
• Maintaining the Indoor and Outdoor Environments for ages 3-6
• The Importance of Regular Meetings with the Lead Adult in the Environment
• The Importance of Confidentiality in the Assistant’s Role

Required readings

It is recommended that selected reading from the four books listed below be undertaken during the course to prepare the Assistants for further reading after the course.

• The Secret of Childhood
• The Child in the Family
• Education for a New World
• Citizen of the World (for an overview of Montessori developmental theory and education)Additional readings at the discretion of the Trainer. Selected passages may be translated for use on the Course, at the discretion of the Trainer.