In a dedicated effort to enrich early childhood education through the Montessori approach, Unity College, Lucknow hosted a five-day Montessori Educational Training conducted by Aseema Charitable Trust, Mumbai, from April 7 to April 11, 2025. The session was led by accomplished trainers Ms Jeanne Marie Mathias and Ms Pragati Pravin Joshi, who brought with them a wealth of experience and insight into Montessori philosophy and practice.
The training saw active participation from educators across various institutions. Ms Saleha Khatoon from Unity College attended the training, along with ten teachers from Unity Mission College’s Montessori Second Shift. Participants also joined from Unity Play House, Allahabad; Mumtaz Modern Senior Secondary School, Sambhal; Zeeshan Fatima Public School, Sambhal; and Mohammad Sibtain Memorial Junior High School, Barabanki.
The Montessori training spanned five days, beginning with classroom observations of students in classes U.N-A and U.N-B. On Day Two, after more observations, practical demonstrations of Dressing Frames (Bow, Buckle, Lace) and hands-on activities like dough making and chapati rolling were conducted, followed by assimilation and dispersal practice. Day Three involved additional classroom observations and sessions on Teen Beads, Ten Board, and Constructive Triangles (Boxes 4 and 5), along with dedicated practice time. Day Four focused on Drawing Metal Insets and continued practice with Ten Beads and the Board, as well as assimilation and dispersal exercises. The final day concluded with a revision of the 'I Spy' stages, a recap of all activities, and final practice sessions.
The main objectives of the sessions were to enhance the teaching-learning process through diverse teaching aids and mechanisms. Sensorial practicals bridged Montessori and real-life activities (EPL), while activities like sound variations and team building made learning more engaging, effective, and innovative. The training fostered positive thinking, confidence, cheerfulness, and resilience in facing real-life challenges. It also helped educators cultivate patience and discover ways to unlock students’ hidden potential. Informative and practical, the session left a deeply refreshing and spiritually enriching impact on all participants.
