Two weeks Montessori Training at Parami Learning Centre, Mae Sot

During the month of March, 2013, KLDF welcomed two new volunteers to support their Montessori Projects in schools: Ria Hidveghy, from London, England, who will be based mostly in Mae Sot and Jenna Anderson from the US, who will is currently working at Bayan, our network school in Pai and will be helping us with the next Montessori project in Chiang Rai later in April.   

Also, Khom Loy is pleased to have on board three Thai Montessori Teacher Trainers : Kwanrutai, Nalinthip and Auiporn.  All will participate in the forthcoming training to be held in Chaing Rai later this month.

The academic year at the Burmese Parami Learning Centre, Mae Sot, ended  with a two week training course, between March 11 – 22^nd , led by Diyanti (Silo) Tumada and supported by Ria Hidveghy.   

Six teachers from Parami Learning Centre and two teachers from Hsa Mu Htaw attended the first week’s theoretical training, which focused on an overall theme of ‘Communication’, covering different features on a daily basis. 

One of these aspects included Discipline in the Montessori Classroom - how it can be achieved, without an authoritative figure or using techniques for controlling behaviour.  One of the main reasons of success in the Montessori classroom is freedom within the limits of very clear ground rules, which, when simplified, results in “be respectful of everyone and of everything”.

Participants also learnt strategies in providing young children techniques to independently resolve their own conflicts.  One of the examples was demonstrated by the use of the ‘Montessori Peace Rose.’

Another feature covered was the Environment – and the ways in which the qualities of the Montessori approach could be applied for any classroom.  Some suggestions put forward for the KG A/B classes were the introduction of plants, to observe nature inside and outside.  Requests could be made for the children/their parents/ teachers and staff to donate a growing plant, however small, to allow the children to care for them.  Additionally, by providing each class with their own set of cleaning materials (bin, brush and pan) the children would be encouraged to be responsible for their learning environment.

Furthermore, the KG teachers agreed that they would try and include a Circle Time in their daily schedule, in order to educate the children, in simple ground rules, teaching lessons that demonstrate socially acceptable behaviour and these special skills are taught through the Montessori Grace and Courtesy lessons.  Also, the teaching of the names of the weekdays and months of the year, using the classroom calendars made during the practical activities week would be another positive aspect to incorporate into their favourable learning environment. 

Group preparing teaching materials.

The final topic of the week’s theory was Parental Involvement and ways in which parents can be included in their child’s school life.  Some of the ideas proposed included:  Parent observations – encourage visits to the classroom - concrete evidence of work completed that the child can take home (not to be seen as junk        material) -  Parent workshop day/session - Child assessment/observations and also a Newsletter, which was drafted out in the session by the teachers following an example provided for them.

Teachers creating the Burmese Language materials

During the second week of training, the Burmese teachers were joined by five teachers from the Baan Tha Aad and two from Baan Mae Tao Pae Schools. All were occupied with creating and demonstrating the Montessori materials for the Burmese language to be used for the next Montessori project in the above schools starting in May 2013.

Burmese Sandpaper Letters prepared by the teachers during the practical week.

Yin Min Soe presenting a Three-Period Lesson using the Montessori Burmese Language material

The training session concluded with everyone sharing and exchanging songs and rhymes, both in Burmese and Thai languages, with one or two provided in English!  

Burmese teaching staff demonstrating one of their Circle Time Songs.