Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

More than kids’ work
Are you the type of person who can connect with children instantly? Then you might want to consider the options available as a pre-school teacher. Ishani Ranasinghe takes a closer look
Yes, it is true that work can be stressful. But sometimes it’s more so that because most of us are not really doing what we enjoy. Many of us love to be with children and have a special talent at handling them; then teaching at a pre-school or even starting one of your own might be something you can look into.

Unfortunately most of us are not aware of the proper means to such an end. By talking to a few people who have actually gone through the process, I got some insight into this field.

There are many options available if you are interested in opening up or teaching at a pre-school. With so many courses and diplomas available, we focused on one diploma (The AMI Montessori Diploma) to give you a basic idea of the area.

One thing that should be kept in mind is that ‘Montessori’ is a method of education, not a place! A pre-school that follows the educational methods and philosophy of Maria Montessori is usually called a Montessori House of Children.

Who was Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori was born in 1870, and was the first female doctor of medicine in Italy. Through her initial work as a psychologist and subsequently through work and observation of socially deprived children, she developed her unique educational method of educating the very young – known today as the Montessori method.

The programme
The AMI Montessori Diploma is a two-year programme. The minimum qualification you need to follow this programme is your O/Ls. You also have to sit for an entrance examination. The entrance examination tests your.

proficiency in the language you wish to study in and your general knowledge. You also have to face an interview, which assesses what type of a person you are.

After going through the study programme you become a trained adult to teach pre-schoolers. Many people are under the impression that it is as simple as ABC to teach young learners, but this is not the case. It is much more than that… we have many prejudices with regards to little children that we need to get rid of if we are to become their teachers. The Diploma’s approach to education is based on developmental principles and emphasises the responsibility of adults to help the child actualise his inner potential. The course of study helps you to change your perspectives regarding children. During the study period the teacher-in-the-making goes through a preparation, which enables her to explore the subconscious motives of her behaviour towards the child and her relationship with them.

Where to go
While there are many institutions offering different Montessori courses there is only one institution in Sri Lanka that offers the AMI Montessori Diploma. The Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centre at St. Bridget’s Convent is the only institution in Sri Lanka that is affiliated to Association Montessori Internationale.

An insight into your education experience
Your curriculum is basically divided into two categories; theory and practical. During the course of the two years the first year will consist of full time lectures. During the second year, you will be working as a trainee at a pre-school in the morning while attending lectures in the afternoon.

Options
As a holder of the AMI Montessori Diploma you have the option of either starting your own pre-school or going to teach at an already established school (both here and abroad)… it all depends on what you want.

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