Course Schedule
We’re bringing blended online learning to our Infant and Toddler (0-3 Diploma) courses! Classes will be in three modules with a graduation date of July 19, 2025:
Module 1: June 10th-July 12th, 2024 In-Person (5 Weeks)
Module 2: November 4th-December 13th, 2024 Online (5 Weeks)
Module 3: June 2nd-July 18th, 2025 In-person (7 Weeks)
If you’re interested in Infant/Toddler training, please request more info or email info@sims-ami.org to make sure we keep in touch about upcoming classes.
A Day in the Life of a SIMS Student
Our current Infant and Toddler (0-3 Diploma) course runs over the course of 14 months with live-streamed classes 4:00pm to 8:00pm MT, and independent online learning taking place between class hours. A typical class with SIMS includes lecture or presentation time with your trainer. Arizona students can arrange time to practice working with new material with fellow students in our practice classroom. Out of state students, we will work with a school local to you to arrange time to practice materials. You’ll be supported by our SIMS trainer and course assistants, as you work closely with fellow students to solidify your knowledge and understanding.
CURRICULUM
So How Does It Work?
Your training will prepare you to lead a Montessori Infant or Toddler classroom. The course includes 650 hours of rigorous teacher preparation. Upon completion of the course, you’ll have a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which is the only internationally-recognized Montessori diploma, and the gold standard in Montessori teacher education.
What You’ll Learn
Areas of study include:
- Montessori philosophy
- Principles of child development since pregnancy to age three
- Medical aspects of the first three years of life
- Child Neuropsychiatry
- How to bring Montessori into the home
- Development of language in the first three years of life
- Development of movement in the first three years of life
- Music
- Art
- Practical life exercises to support the child’s independence
- Observation Techniques
- How to prepare a Montessori environment for children under three
How You’ll Learn
Coursework includes:
- Lectures on Montessori philosophy and development of the child in the first three years of life.
- Demonstration of the use of scientifically designed Montessori materials for children under three.
- Practice with the materials
- 250 hours of direct and indirect observation of children newborn to three years old
- 1 week of student teaching under the supervision of an AMI certified teacher
- Material making
- Written essays related to important aspects of children under three
- Based on coursework, you will write teaching reference books, referred to as “albums”, which will serve you throughout your career. Compiling your albums deepens and solidifies your knowledge, preparing you for future work with children.
What You’ll Get
Upon completion, you’ll have:
- An AMI Montessori diploma, certifying you to educate children aged 0 to 3 using the Montessori pedagogy
- An internationally-recognized and highly in-demand credential
- The confidence and expertise you need to successfully direct your own classroom
Our SIMS A to I trainer is fluent in Spanish. Typically the course is delivered in English, but students can ask questions, complete course work (including albums), and complete written examinations in Spanish.
* A basic level of computer literacy is helpful in composing albums.
† Additionally, translation may be arranged if a large cohort of Chinese-speakers are registered for the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my AMI diploma be accepted in other countries?
Is a bachelor’s degree required to enroll in the training?
Can you guarantee a job placement upon completion of the course?
Are there scholarships available?
Is there such a thing as a Master’s degree in Montessori?
What is the average income of an AMI-trained Montessori teacher?
What is the typical career path of a Montessori teacher?