Observation is the gift that gave us the Montessori Method! When you really start observing your child, you get to know him/her. Parents and educators need to observe their children to see more of their abilities, interests, personal characteristics, etc.
Knowing your child will help you to plan developmentally informed & individualised activities.
Through Maria Montessori’s scientific observation of children, she was able to see that children learn from doing. She learned that the prepared environment is essential for success. Without observation, we would not have the Montessori Method.
1- Observation allows us to learn the needs of the child and therefore what materials to place within the environment. These materials should aid his or her development.
2- Observing a child allows us as educators and parents to develop a non-judgmental attitude, and therefore a respectful attitude, toward the child.
3- Observation allows us to spot a child’s interests and identify sensitive periods.
4- Observation leads to creativity and curiosity. During purposeful observation, we as the adult, are witnessing the child and not interfering.
5- Observation aids the adult in identifying factors in the environment that are hindering the child’s independent exploration.
6- Observation fosters connection and helps us see the world through the child’s eyes.
Interested in learning more about Montessori Observation and Assessment? We have the perfect Short CPD course for you!
Course Title: Montessori Observation and Assessment
Observation comes in many forms and it is a vital tool for practitioners to be able to understand a child’s development according to the Development Matters Framework.
Who is this course for?
Early years and Montessori practitioners, especially those in Leadership roles.
Who will deliver this course?
Marion Meechan
Following a successful career in the retail trade I changed direction and became involved in Montessori nursery education and care. I have run and own a small nursery school in Surrey since 1996. I trained at the London Montessori Centre in 1997 and various Universities to obtain my Early Years Teacher Status. I later went on to become a freelance trainer at Montessori Centre International in 2011.
“My passions are Child development and Numeracy and Arithmetic both subjects I taught to the majority of the Diploma students’ level 3 and 4 alongside Contemporary Early Childhood Practice, Child-care and Health, Montessori Philosophy, AEL and Sensorial. I also carried out other roles including IQA, professional placement assessor and I assessed students at their practical presentations and discussions (examinations).”
and…
Jenna Hamilton-Heward the Director of MAA. She holds a Masters in Early Years and is an x-Ofsted inspector. She is a qualified trainer, assessor, and IQA. She also runs four Outstanding in Ofsted Nurseries in NW London.
What will I learn?
You will also learn what Ofsted will look for in terms of Observation and Assessment as well as the questions that might get asked.
Following this course, the learner will leave feeling confident about what paperwork is needed and what is not needed following the new EYFS requirements launched in September 2021.
Course length: 1 day (10am – 2pm).
Date: 18th February 2022
Price: £99 per student.
Location: Online course via Zoom.
