Would you like to become a Montessori teacher? Then gather here as I present you with a list of free online Montessori training courses you can enroll in from the comfort of your home. Parents can also enroll in the training if they wish to homeschool their child.
There are over 10 different methods of education or teaching approaches such as peer teaching, cooperative learning, experiential learning, lecture, active learning, and Montessori. The method of education in the Montessori approach is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play.
Using specialized learning materials and a unique classroom environment, children are encouraged by their “guide” to discover their natural creativity and intelligence to gather information and make discoveries. Montessori teachers are more of a guide and not exactly teachers because this learning approach does not require teaching, rather it requires guiding students through the process.
This educational approach has been around for more than 100 years and it places emphasis on hands-on learning and developing real-world skills, giving children the independence of working and exploring on their own with a trained guide who is the Montessori teacher. The duties of a Montessori teacher are to constantly watch students’ progress and offer guidance when necessary, to allow students to work independently, and to challenge students with the next stage in their learning sequence.
You can master all of these duties, and even more when you enroll in the free online Montessori training courses I have curated here. This is a job role perfect for those who love kids and love to see them explore and learn on their own. It is a satisfying job because you get to see firsthand the creativity and intelligence of kids, the work-life balance is great, it is not demanding, and the pay is good.
In this blog, I have curated a list of free online Montessori training for teachers to enroll in from the comfort of their homes to prepare for a career as a Montessori educator. The courses are not for teachers alone, parents can also take the courses to learn the Montessori approach especially parents who are looking to homeschool their child or children. If you are already a Montessori teacher, you could also take the course to learn new strategies.
In addition to the free online Montessori training, you can take some free online courses in early childhood education to take your knowledge of teaching and working with kids to the next level. As a Montessori educator, it is also your job to introduce pupils to age-appropriate activities, therefore, you could introduce them to some free online ABC games and free online drawing classes which you have to go through first to ensure they are age-appropriate.
What is the Salary of a Montessori Teacher?
The average salary of a Montessori teacher in the US is $57,103 per year. In the UK, the average salary of a Montessori teacher is £25,000 per year. An entry-level Montessori teacher earns an average salary of €22,713 per year.
How do I Become a Montessori Teacher?
Before you think of becoming a Montessori teacher, you must have completed high school or secondary education and earned your diploma then proceed with the following steps:
- Obtain a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care or undertake an undergraduate or master’s degree in education, psychology, primary education, sociology, or English.
- Enroll in an accredited training center to receive training as a Montessori educator.
- Choose your specialty or area of training that applies to the age you want to work with. The main types of Montessori specialty are:
- Montessori 0–3
- Diploma Montessori 3–6
- Diploma Montessori 0–6
- Diploma Montessori 6–12
- Diploma Montessori 12–18
- Diploma Montessori 6–12 Foundation Certificate
- Montessori Core Principles Certificate
- Montessori Sports Fundamentals Certificate
- Complete teacher training
- Apply for teaching jobs
The steps to becoming a Montessori teacher are clear enough and do not need explaining. When you apply for teaching jobs you already know that there will be an interview which you will need to prepare for in advance. Note that background checks such as criminal record will be taken into account.
Most schools with an open position for a Montessori job role often advertise for experienced teachers which could be challenging for you because you have no experience. Therefore, you may want to consider gaining experience by volunteering in a Montessori school or working as a Montessori teaching assistant which can help you gain potential job offers.
Having said that, let’s dive into the main topic…
Free Online Montessori Training
Curated here are the best free online Montessori training for individuals aspiring to become Montessori educators, current Montessori teachers who want to learn new skills, and parents who want to try out the Montessori approach with their children. Enrolling in these training will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a professional guide that will encourage kids to believe in themselves and be able to draw out their hidden abilities.
The free online Montessori training are:
- Montessori Teaching – Fundamentals Concepts & Principles
- Montessori Awareness Course for Teachers and Parents
- Introducing Caring for Children and Young People
- NCFE Level 2 Mental Health in the Early Years
- Early Childhood Montessori
- Project-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Montessori Teaching – Exercise of Practical Life (EPL)
- Montessori Teaching – Music, Arts, and Gadgets
- Montessori Method of Education
- Montessori Reading, Writing & Principles
- A Sensorial Approach to Montessori Teaching
- Montessori Science – Children’s Journey to Lifetime Discovery
1. Montessori Teaching – Fundamentals Concepts & Principles
This course is best for those who are not yet Montessori teachers but are looking to pursue a career as one. They will learn about the history of Montessori education and the fundamental concepts behind this teaching approach.
The course consists of only two modules with a final assessment for a certificate, at the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of early childhood education, childhood development, the contributions of the founder of Montessori education, and their impact on early childhood education, the need and impact for arts and craft for children, and the importance of phonetic teaching to children.
2. Montessori Awareness Course for Teachers and Parents
As I mentioned earlier, Montessori training is not for teachers alone, parents can also take it to try the Montessori approach at home with their kids, and this course just proves it. If you have not heard about Montessori before or you have but don’t know what it means and you would love to have a better understanding of this educational approach and how it works, then you should enroll in this course.
It is one of the best free online Montessori training on Udemy that will teach you the importance and effects of early childhood education, the goal of the Montessori method, the prepared environment, and the five curriculum areas of Montessori. Nearly 3,000 students have taken the course on Udemy.
3. Introducing Caring for Children and Young People
This is an ideal course for parents, aspiring Montessori teachers, and current Montessori teachers because you will be working with children and young people therefore you should have some knowledge of how to care for them. The course explores topics such as nutrition and safeguarding, play, and child development.
At the end of this course, learners will develop practical skills and knowledge that will be essential in any childcare setting. The course is free and offers a level 2 certification when you complete it.
4. NCFE Level 2 Mental Health in the Early Years
As a Montessori teacher, you will be working with kids who are mostly referred to as Early Years, therefore, you have to pay attention to their mental health. This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to identify the internal struggles kids face during their development. Disruptions to development can affect a child’s ability to learn and relate to others.
This course will teach you how to deal with these disruptions and support young children. As a Montessori educator, this is one skill set you need to have in the bag as it is vital in your profession. The course is also ideal for nursery workers, learning mentors, and teaching assistants.
5. Early Childhood Montessori
The course, Early Childhood Montessori, is a free online Montessori training course on Alison that teaches the history and theoretical overview of childhood education, exploring and analyzing curriculum frameworks and the work of famous people in the field. All of these you will learn under three modules and complete between 4-5 hours.
At the end of the course, you will not just receive certification but also gain an in-depth understanding of the various theories and approaches of early childhood education, how to choose the right curriculum for early childhood education, and the 5 basic principles of the Montessori method for early childhood education.
6. Project-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
This is another online course available for free on Alison to train Montessori teachers. The course equips teachers with skills, using real-life examples and case studies, to help implement project-based learning to equip students with creative problem-solving skills. All of these take only 3 hours to learn but you can learn at your own pace.
Enrolling in this course will help you to identify the elements in different project-based learning (PBL) frameworks, recognize different PBL phases and their major advantages, and analyze the importance of PBL strategies for preschool children.
7. Montessori Teaching – Exercise of Practical Life (EPL)
This course is published for free on Alison by Montessori Pro and in this course, teachers will learn how to use materials in a Montessori classroom to prepare and equip children for practical life. You will also learn how to analyze the various uses of different Montessori practical life materials and identify different activities associated with practical life Montessori materials.
8. Montessori Teaching – Music, Arts, and Gadgets
In this course, Montessori teachers will learn the role of art, music, and gadgets in promoting physical, mental, and cognitive abilities in their Montessori pupils. You will also learn safe and meaningful ways of introducing children to digital devices, gadgets, and the internet. When you complete the course, you will receive a free certification from Alison which you can attach to your resume or CV.
9. Montessori Method of Education
This free online Montessori training course takes 3-4 hours to complete and it explores the fundamental methods required for Montessori education for young children. The course is ideal for beginners as it further explores emotions in children, Montessori mobiles and activities, and how to set up a Montessori home for children. There is a free certification at the end of the course.
10. Montessori Reading, Writing & Principles
If you are a Montessori teacher looking to help your students build a solid foundation in writing and reading, you should take this course. This is why it is important to take online courses so that you can learn something new and apply it in the classroom to enhance the capabilities of your students and this free online Montessori training course is one of them.
11. A Sensorial Approach to Montessori Teaching
Here is another ideal course for current Montessori teachers who are willing to help their students enhance their basic sensory modalities. In this course, teachers will explore the Montessori principles that are relevant to the sensorial approach and discover what activities will benefit children.
At the end of the course, teachers will know of the 5 sensory periods in a child’s development and the benefits of using sensorial materials in the Montessori teaching method.
12. Montessori Science – Children’s Journey to Lifetime Discovery
This is one of the best free online Montessori training courses for teachers and parents. The course trains learners on how to use the Montessori teaching approach to explain various scientific concepts such as zoology, botany, and physics to kids in other to help them discover science in a fun way and fuel their future interest in science.
Conclusion
This wraps up the list of free online Montessori training courses. Most of these courses come with a free certification from accredited educational establishments which means you can attach them to your CV and use them in your job search and they will be recognized by employers. You can decide to take all of the courses I have listed here or go for the ones that are detrimental to your career.
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