Theory Lectures

The theory lectures will offer the students the opportunity to examine the development of the whole child, and the successive phases of child development. Special consideration is given to the formative psychic powers of the child that leads to all-round development. The carefully prepared environment and materials and the role and attitude of the adult will also be studied.

Demonstration Lectures

The practical demonstration lectures deal with the function and presentation of the materials offered to children from 3 to 6 years of age in a Montessori environment. The aims of the materials, the technique of presenting them to the child and the age at which they must be offered will be discussed in these sessions.

Supervised Practice

During scheduled hours students will have an opportunity to practice with the material in a Montessori environment. Students will be supervised and guided in the use of the material and encouraged to develop and practice the techniques by which they will present the various materials to children. Students will also be asked to take responsibility for the environment just as they would when they are with children.

School Observation and Teaching Practice

Students will be assigned to go to various Montessori environments in the city for observation and teaching practice. During this time they will be shown how to keep a record of observations and as well as have an opportunity to work directly with children under the supervision of an AMI trained adult. Students will need to budget for their commute to the various city schools.

Assignments and Reference Folders

Students will need to submit written work at regular intervals during the course, which will include theory essays, material making assignments and observation reports. Students will also prepare four Reference Folders in the different areas - Practical Life, Sensorial, Language and Mathematics. Students will need to do four to six hours of organised work at home every day in order to complete all assignments.

In order to be eligible, the applicant should have:

• Completed 20 years of age by July 15 (year of application)
• A sound knowledge of English
• A Bachelors degree

We welcome candidates from all walks of life and different professions. Occasionally we do consider applicants who do not have a Bachelors degree based on their life experience.

Applications must be submitted with all enclosures. The Admissions Review Committee will process all complete applications. The decision of the committee will be final and binding.

Application

To apply you are required to submit the following:

• Application Form duly filled in and signed by the applicant with one photo affixed
• One photo identical to the one affixed on the application form
• Attested OR Certified Copies of all educational documents to bear out your educational qualifications
• Registration Fee
• HANDWRITTEN reflective, autobiographical essay (about 500 words) entitled An Overview of My Life

Interview

An interview will be arranged after the application is received. Students may be asked to take an English check if necessary. We look for candidates who are committed to working with children and who will commit themselves to the attendance requirement of the course.

Admission Confirmation

Selected candidates will receive a letter of acceptance with a last date for the payment of fees. Once the fees are paid the candidate will receive a letter of confirmation along with the schedule for the first day.

The course is postponed to March 2012. We will update this website with the new schedule shortly.

The students' eligibility for appearing for the Examination will depend on the following:

• 90% attendance for each aspect of the course
• Punctual completion and submission of all assignments called for in the course of the year
• Completion of required hours of School Teaching Practice
• Completion of required hours of School Observations
• Completion of required hours of Supervised Practice

There will be two written examinations each three hours. Paper A will be on psychology and theory. Paper B will be on the practical aspect with the underpinning principles. There will also be an oral examination in which students will be asked to present the use of the material and explain the underlying theory.

An external examiner will be appointed by AMI to conduct the examinations. The diploma is awarded by the Association Montessori Internationale after a successful written and oral examination and completion of all requirements for certification. The decision of the board of examiners will be final and binding. No appeals will be entertained after results are released.

Registered students who for valid reasons fail to appear for the examinations on the scheduled dates at the appointed time may be given the opportunity to appear at the examinations held the following year thereafter. They will have to apply for this opportunity in writing with a full and acceptable explanation. In case of medical grounds, a registered practitioner must attest the medical certificate. They will be charged the Examination Fee for the re-examination. Students appearing for re-examination in any of the four parts can do so ONLY the following year. They will be required to attend additional classes for which they will be charged a fee. They will also be charged the Examination Fee for the re-examination. Students who fail in the examination or re-examination will have to undergo another full course of training for which they will be charged the full Course fees including Examination Fee.

The AMI diploma is awarded by the Association Montessori Internationale. It qualifies the holder to work with children in a Montessori environment between 3 and 6 years of age. Diploma holders have great opportunities to find employment in India and abroad. The diploma is recognised throughout the world. Many diploma holders have started their own schools.

Fees may be paid as a one-time payment by cheque or demand draft in favour of Navadisha Montessori Foundation payable in Chennai. We regret that the fees cannot be accepted in instalments.

If a registered student withdraws on or before September 30th prior to the commencement of the course only 50% of the Fees will be refunded. After this date fees will not be refunded for any reason.

If we are unable to run the course in Kerala and the course is cancelled the fees paid by the student will be returned in full.

All registered students are required to be members of AMI for the duration of the course. The AMI fees are payable by means of a cheque payable in Chennai or demand draft in favour of Indian Montessori Foundation or by cash.

It is advisable for students to acquire the Montessori books listed in the required reading list. The students will have to acquire stationery for the course, for course submissions and the creation of Reference Folders. The budget will vary as there are choices to be made. Students are advised to budget for books and materials for the duration course as follows.

We would like to emphasise that this a budget. The training course neither recommends or endorses particular stationery products.

To prepare for the Diploma course and for working in a Montessori environment it will be good practice to read around the subject. The following list of books is provided to help you begin this process. Some of these titles will be made available in the student library.

Required Reading

• Montessori, Maria Education and Peace Kalakshetra  Publications, India 1972
• Montessori, Maria Education for New World Kalakshetra- Publications, India 1974
• Montessori, Maria From Childhood to Adolescence Kalakshetra Publications, India 1973
• Montessori, Maria The Absorbent Mind Kalakshetra Publications, India 1991
• Montessori, Maria The Child in the Family Kalakshetra Publications, India 1991
• Montessori, Maria The Discovery of the Child - Kalakshetra Publications, India 1966
• Montessori, Maria The Formation of Man Kalakshetra Publications, India 1975
• Montessori, Maria The Secret of Childhood Sangam Books Ltd., London 1983

Recommended Reading

• Montessori, Maria Child Education Kalakshetra Publications, India 1936
• Montessori, Maria Creative Development in the Child, Vols. 1 & 2 Kalakshetra Publications, India 1999
• Montessori, Maria To Educate the Human Potential Kalakshetra Publications, India 1948
• Montessori, Maria What should you know about your child Kalakshetra Publications, India 1984