Preparing Your New Assistant Part 1

 

Part 1

Years ago I wrote about this topic and much still rings true, but now there are more resources available!  Let's dig into getting your new classroom assistant off to the right start so they are feeling confident and prepared.

Many new adults to Montessori come in as classroom assistants and are completely overwhelmed.  Even if they have had experience in childcare, it can feel like Montessori is another world and another language completely! And they are not totally wrong!

Setting training goals is important:

1. Familiarize the adult with how the environment feels

2. Familiarize the adult with what Montessori is and why we do what we do

3. Familiarize the adult with the "need to knows" in your local Childcare Licensing regulations

4. Outline what their role is and what their role is not. Be specific!

For this Post, I am going to focus on #1 & #2.

Step 1: Familiarizing the adult with the environment

The best way to familiarize your new partner with the environment is through observation.  It is nice to have a short observation before their interview to get their initial impressions of a Montessori classroom and answer any questions they may have.  After being hired, it is really helpful to provide time for your new assistant to observe a couple of morning work cycles.  

Provide a notebook for them to jot down questions or impressions and a comfortable place to sit where they can get a good view of the room.  The first morning work cycle, simply allow them to experience the ebbs and flows. There is a lot of movement in our rooms and it takes a little bit to acclimate to observing it.  On the second morning, give them a few things to look for to direct their observing. For example:

• How do you see children being redirected by the adults?
• Watch for if a child is interrupted during their selected activities.
• How are the adults responding to children that are being rough with materials or other children?
•  How are children reminded of the rules of the classroom?
• Watch for independent activity selection. What was taken and how many times did the child repeat the activity?
• What are the conversations like between the adults and the children?

Discussing their impressions and observations at the end of the day or the next morning is going to provide you an excellent opportunity to begin supporting their understanding of how the classroom operates while they get a change to ask questions while the information is still fresh.

Step 2: The Montessori Education Plan

Typically the state will require continuing education hours for adults working in childcare settings.  You can take care of those hours and get your new classroom partner the Montessori foundations they need at the same time.  My suggestion is to identify the theory topics that will be the most helpful to offer context to what we offer and why.  In my opinion, these are the topics I would start with:

1. The Absorbent Mind
2. The Sensitive Periods
3. Independence
4. The Prepared Environment
5. Concentration

Now, how are you going to deliver that information?  You could lend them a copy of Dr. Montessori's Absorbent Mind but if we are totally honest-it is a hard read and a little "meaty". The odds that your new hire is going to take that book home and read assigned passages may not be as likely as we think.  Now I get to share a solution!  In addition to Montessori Deconstructed, I work with a non-profit called Rising Tide Montessori. We have made hundreds of short, free videos for the public on Montessori in an effort to make great quality information available for everyone.  We do not make a profit when people view them. They are all bite-sized videos that can be watched when your assistant has a spare moment. I would suggest the you watch them too so you both can chat about them together.

1. The Absorbent Mind
1. Click here for a playlist of short Absorbent Mind videos
1. Introduction
2. Characteristics
3. The First Sub-Plane of the First Plane
4. The Second Sub-Plane of the First Plane
5. Aides to Life (or creations of the Absorbent Mind)
6. How the adult can support the Absorbent Mind
7. How the Adult can be an Obstacle
2. Click here for a playlist of Sensitive Periods Videos
1. Introduction
2. Language
3. Order
4. Movement
5. Refinement of the Sensory Perceptions
6. Observable Characteristics of the Sensitive Periods
7. The Importance of Repetition
3. Independence
1. Introduction
2. Independence 1-3
3. Independence 3-6
4. Supporting Independence in the Prepared Environment
4. The Prepared Environment
1. Introduction
2. The Children's House
5. The Importance of Concentration & Non-Interference

Up next, will be Part II where we dive into what the role of the assistant is so you can clearly define their responsibilities!

So many new goodies in the Shop!

Work Curves Journal: The first of its kind! A paperback journal of Montessori Work Curves. Each Work Curve page is followed by a reflection page for your notes.