If you’re thinking of studying a course on the Montessori Method, just know, it’s fascinating, life changing and also can be really tough.
If you take the one I did, you are studying the Level 3/4 Montessori Early Years Educator course, then ouch, I feel you.
If you’re studying beyond that, then please bask in my admiration -I have been reliably informed that the Foundation Degree is even more work.
Some people breeze through it, others struggle with the work load, and some others make a complete hash of it until they eventually stagger over the finish line four years later.
Or maybe that was just me.
Honestly, I thought I would find it pretty easy, with a degree and a masters under my belt, and a former career working as a research analyst.
How hard could a year of theory really be? And another year in a nursery with tiny people, aww cute. Turns out, not easy at all.
I managed to turn a two year course into a four year behemoth of an undertaking.
I started, and stopped, and started again, took a pregnancy sabbatical, then a maternity extension, then an ill-health extension.
Every time I wanted to quit (immeasurable), I clambered back on board and carried on.
It really was my version of a white whale, my very own Moby Dick.
I can only attribute my eventual qualification to the endless patience of my long suffering mentor, the staff at my placement school, my tutor and the team at the college.
Not to mention my family who picked up all the threads of childcare, running the home and paying the bills while I poured over text books and valiantly wrestled with Moodle.
So however you do it, whichever course you’re taking, just know that if I can get through it so can you.
There are two main parts to the course, the theory and the practical.
The theory involves learning all about the Montessori method. There’s a list of principals and important things to know over here.
For my course, the practical component involves 400 hours working on placement in a Montessori nursery/school.
Alongside vast amounts of written observations, weekly plans, weekly reflections, individual progress plans, and more essays. There are some tips and guides over here.
Good luck, you can do it!
Surviving the Montessori Course – Practical Placement
Imperfectly-Montessori.com 