Classroom Management

Principles to Practice Library (3-6)

Got the classroom management blues?

You're not alone.

The Principles to Practice (p2p) video library covers common classroom management issues faced by Montessori teachers.

Why isn't my class normalizing?

Why are the 3 year olds being so silly?

Why don't the 5 year olds choose more challenging work?

How do I get the children to listen to me?

How do I get them to choose independent work?

How do I help children who need constant attention?

Why am I so stressed at the end of the day?

If any of these questions resonate with you, you’re in the right place. Many Montessori guides experience this. You received a wealth of information during your Montessori training, but if something still feels like it's missing, don't despair. That’s perfectly normal. Your training was just the beginning— the first period in your understanding.

Similar to the three-period lesson, your training represented the first period, where you were introduced to new information. Now, as you lead your classroom, you've entered the second period—the practice period. This stage is crucial, and it takes time. You'll encounter nuances, unexpected behavior, and new challenges. You need experience to move to the third period, where mastery is achieved, and where you can confidently apply Montessori principles to any situation.

That’s where Principles to Practice comes in. While we can't be a mentor by your side every day, the mini trainings in this library will help you troubleshoot challenges and accelerate your learning curve.

How to Jumpstart Normalization

Whether you're a new Montessori teacher or have years of experience, the start of the school year can often make you question whether "normalization" is truly achievable. You've got your training, set up your environment, and given lessons, yet chaos still reigns. Children aren't choosing work, responding to redirection, or treating each other respectfully. What can you do?

P2P shows you how to foster self-regulation and establish social norms in your classroom. You'll learn practical techniques like storytelling, role-playing, and community discussions to guide your students toward becoming the joyful, self-empowered learners the Montessori method promises.

How to Redirect Children

When you discovered Montessori, you felt its special essence—something beyond the ingenious materials and beautiful classrooms. It was about humanity, the way adults view children, and the true purpose of education: empowering students to be their best selves.

But how do you keep this goal in focus when a child is misbehaving? How do you determine what "misbehavior" is, when to intervene, and how to avoid old methods of control?

Learn how to guide children's behavior with compassion and purpose. You'll gain insights into knowing when to follow the child's lead or address their needs, understanding the key reasons for redirecting behavior, and learning practical strategies to foster respect, teach responsibility, and encourage re-engagement in the classroom.

How to Address Challenging Behavior

Managing challenging behavior when children are particularly difficult or defiant in the classroom can feel overwhelming, and even demoralizing. In these moments, it’s easy to question your approach and feel unsure of how to move forward.

P2P will help you regain confidence and find effective, compassionate strategies for navigating these tough situations. You'll learn how to identify the root causes of challenging behaviors, determine when and how to intervene, and implement techniques that foster respect, responsibility, and positive engagement. Turn those difficult moments into opportunities for growth, empowering both you and your students to thrive.

How to Engage Learners

Engaging learners can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of teaching. When young children lose interest they typically "act out" which can leave you feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do next.

We explore a variety of strategies to captivate your students' attention and encourage active participation. From fostering motivation and agency to cultivating choice and deepening concentration, you’ll learn how to present lessons that resonate with your students and keep them engaged. Whether you're dealing with special circumstances that block engagement or looking to revitalize interest in practical life activities, you'll gain practical tools to help every child stay excited about learning.

How to Handle Transitions and Group Time

Transitions and group time can be a source of stress, but with the right approach, they can become smooth and predictable.

We'll talk about practical strategies to transform group time into a more engaging and productive experience. From building community and setting a positive tone to using techniques like songs and hand motions, you’ll learn how to make circle time more meaningful for every child.

For streamlining transitions, discover how to simplify steps, use visual cues, and plan ahead to accommodate different needs and ensure a calm, orderly flow throughout the day.

... and More

Teaching in a Montessori classroom involves so much more than just lessons and materials. From managing extended day and nap time to navigating unique challenges like too many guides or young students, we cover a wide range of additional topics that matter to you.

You'll explore how to work effectively with your assistant, encourage kindness among students, and creatively handle everyday issues like silliness, tattle-telling, and dramatic drop-offs.

Whether you're troubleshooting specific scenarios or looking to add spontaneity and creativity to your day, these sessions offer practical insights to help you tackle the diverse aspects of your teaching journey.

Montessori Philosophy Refresher

The P2P Library also includes a 3-hour philosophy course. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher needing a refresher or an assistant without formal Montessori training ready to go beyond the basics, this course offers valuable insights. Explore the life and work of Dr. Maria Montessori, gain a clearer understanding of Montessori pedagogy, and explore essential concepts like the nature of the child, the prepared environment, and the role of the prepared adult. You'll also learn about human tendencies and the principles of optimal learning, providing a solid foundation for truly understanding and embracing the Montessori approach.

Transform your classroom practice

"I think I'm doing everything they taught me in training but something seems to be missing."

We believe the missing ingredient is experience, and that is what we hope to offer here.

In p2p you can tap into the experience of Montessori professionals who have walked this path and figured out a few things. Learn the strategies, firmly rooted in Montessori principles, that have been tried and tested in the classroom environment.

We will dig in to the nuances of your classroom management questions. You will learn how an experienced Montessorian might tackle a particular scenario.

As we revisit basic Montessori principles and illustrate how they can be applied in different real classroom scenarios, you will leapfrog to new levels of understanding and begin to fill in the gaps in your application of the principles.

When you went through Montessori training, you received the tools you needed to be successful as a Montessori guide.

In p2p you will learn how to master the use of those tools.

Sometimes behavior management is glossed over in the Montessori world. Your expectation is that with time the children will normalize and adapt to the Montessori routine, but sometimes you can feel that children are unmotivated, bored, or are wanting to play and socialize instead of working individually. These practical everyday questions are fully answered in these webinars. Absolutely recommended!

-Kelsey Barnes

Presenters

Tammy Oesting

Tammy has over 25 years of experience in Montessori. She spent 17 years in the classroom at the primary and elementary levels. She is the founder of Classroomechanics.com and now serves Montessorians globally, consulting with schools and educating new teachers.

Seemi Abdullah

Seemi has over 20 years of experience at the Montessori 3-6 level as a certified guide and a school administrator.

She is the founder of TrilliumMontessori.org and delivers curriculum resources and online professional development to Montessorians around the world.

Virginia Lozuke

Virginia has over 15 years of experience with Montessori at the 3-6 level. She is currently lead guide and head of school at the Montessori Farm School in Durham, North Carolina.

Virginia has also served as a faculty member for an AMS teacher training program.

These are wonderful webinars for all, whether you are starting as a new guide or you have been one for years, there is always something to take away from these, and Seemi, Tammy and Virginia are great at touching on all avenues that can be taken to assist a student with whatever they may need. I truly appreciate them taking the time to help educate and share their own experiences.

-Kristina Brett

Mary Stratton

Mary has over 40 years of experience in Montessori. She is the executive director of the The Cottage Montessori Teacher Education Program (MACTE, AMS). She has been a Teacher Trainer, School Owner/Director, consultant, public speaker, Montessori event producer, published author, environmental designer and Primary Teacher.

Claire Paglia

Claire has over 12 years of experience in the primary environment. In addition to her AMI diploma, she holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary ed and a master’s in education with a concentration in Montessori from Loyola University, Maryland.

Jana Morgan Herman

Jana has over 25 years of experience at the Montessori 3-6 level. She has been a teacher, school director, teacher trainer, speaker, and is director of training for Endeavor Schools. Jana has a Master’s in Montessori and is a co-founder of The Kentucky Montessori Alliance.

Is P2P Right for You?

Everyone is welcome to join!

However, you will get the most benefit out of the videos if you meet the following criteria:

You work in a Montessori classroom setting

You work with the 3-6 year age range

You are in your first few years of teaching

You are committed to Montessori practices

You have Montessori training or you work closely with someone who does

P2P is filled with practical information. The professional development guidance can help both the new teacher as well as the experienced ones. The presentations are kept under 30 minutes each, which makes them easy to view during a busy school year. The variety of presentations so far have been of outstanding quality! -Shahrooz Aziminia

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get access to all the videos when I sign up?

Yes.

How many videos are included?

The 3-6 P2P library currently contains over 24 hours of video content. Video segments are 15-30 minutes in length.

Will you add new videos to the library?

We do not have plans to add new videos to the library at this time, but this may change.

Do I have to watch the videos in order?

No. You may watch the videos in any order you choose. However, to request certificates, you will need to watch the videos grouped together for the month. Each certificate is for one hour.

How long will I have access to the videos?

Your registration is valid for one year. You may renew annually if you would like to extend your access.

Will I be able to submit questions?

No. We are not currently accepting new questions for the library.

Can I transfer my registration to another user?

No, registrations are not transferable.

Will the certificate count towards the AMS Continuing Education requirement?

While we do not guarantee that our certificates will be accepted by any particular agency, thousands of Montessori educators have received Trillium certificates over the past few years and we have not heard any feedback that the certificates were rejected. If you are counting on having the certificates approved, we recommend contacting your agency of choice before you sign up.

Will you show us how to present Montessori materials?

No. We will not cover material presentations or discuss curriculum. We expect that members will already be familiar with how Montessori materials are used and presented.

I am a homeschooler. Will this help me?

The strategies offered are applicable to a Montessori classroom setting with multiple children. However, many of the principles we discuss can be applied to a home setting as well. Homeschoolers will need to adapt the advice for their own specific situations.

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