Module 5

When we shift our focus from delivering knowledge to supporting development, new possibilities emerge for both the child and the guide.

 

Ten sessions exploring language, literacy, mathematics, and assessment through a Montessori lens.
Discover how these developments unfold from within the child when the guide understands the true developmental purpose of the materials.

This module explores the shift from teaching to guiding and from instruction to self-discovery.

Language, literacy, and mathematics are not simply taught in Montessori; they are cultivated. They emerge naturally from the child's innate desire to explore, communicate, and make sense of the world.

This module explores how the prepared environment, the Montessori materials, and the insight of the guide work together to support these developments. As your understanding deepens, you will learn to recognise the signs of readiness, respond with greater precision, and support each child as they discover the rich possibilities of language and mathematical thinking.

Module 5 moves from the theoretical foundations of language through the rich oral environment that precedes written work, the ten physical steps to writing, the six steps to total reading, and into the mathematical mind.

Along the way, you will explore the indirect preparation that has been unfolding since the child’s first days in the environment and learn how language and mathematics emerge as natural expressions of development.

At the heart of this module is a different way of language and mathematics. Rather than viewing them as subjects to be taught, Karen explores how they emerge from developmental processes that have been unfolding since the child’s earliest experiences in the environment.

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WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY WITH

By the End of Module 5 You Will Be Able to:

01
Describe the two functions of language and the sensitive period, and explain how the four layers of language development are built and sequenced in the prepared environment.
02
Deliver classified card presentations with confidence, using the three-period lesson, points of consciousness, and cross-fertilisation of vocabulary to enrich language development.
03
Lead the sound game confidently through all six stages and use question games, response games, and function games to prepare children for written language.
04
Guide a child through the ten physical steps to writing; and recognise and support the explosion into writing as an organic journey that unfolds from within the child.
05
Guide a child through the six steps to total reading; create an alive and active reading environment that sustains motivation throughout the child’s journey.
06
Introduce the mystery of mathematics with wonder and confidence, recognising how indirect preparation has laid the foundations long before formal mathematics begins.
07
Use the DOG framework, the elementary annual letter, and the EYFS Foundation Stage Profile to document and communicate the child's development in a way that is character-first and genuinely useful.

TEN SESSIONS COVERING 

A Complete Arc, Session by Session.

01

Language as the manifestation of thought

The theory of language development, the sensitive period, four layers of development, and the role of classified cards.

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02

Classified cards in practice

The three-period lesson, the cross-fertilisation of vocabulary, and the points of consciousness that support language development.

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03

The wonder of words

The oral language environment, the six stages of the sound game, and the question game.

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04

Sound game practice

Lead the sound game confidently through all six stages, and use question games, response games, and function games to prepare children for written language.

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05

Writing as expression

The two dimensions of preparation and the first five steps that support the child’s journey towards writing.

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06

Writing continued

The metal inset, steps six through ten, and the child’s progression towards the explosion into writing.

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07

Reading as a developmental journey

The six steps towards total reading and the creation of an alive, engaging reading environment.

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08

Reading continued

Booklets, grammar symbols, sensorial grammar, and the child’s progression towards total reading.

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09

The mystery of maths

The mathematical mind, indirect preparation, and introducing number with a sense of wonder.

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10

Assessment

DOG, annual letters, EYFS, and a clearer understanding of what assessment is actually for.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

This Module Comes With the Following

 

Recorded Videos

10 pre-recorded sessions with a total of approximately 10 hours of Karen coaching a small group of guides.

Key Learning Points

Consolidate the key ideas for every session; useful in team conversations and mentor meetings.

Guide Resources

Copies of slides and depending upon the content, templates, case studies and examples.

Weekly Community Mentoring with Karen

Join our optional live Zoom sessions every Tuesday, 5:00–6:00pm, or Wednesday, 4:30–5:30pm UK time.

Bring your questions, observations and reflections from the programme, and explore how Montessori principles can be applied within your everyday practice. Listen to the experiences of guides around the world, share in open dialogue and deepen your understanding together.

 

This is your opportunity to feel part of a global community and to have Karen alongside you as an ongoing mentor—following and supporting your development, just as we follow the development of the child.

FROM THE COMMUNITY

What Guides Are Saying.

”

Excellent, attending this program during the whole school year gave me an opportunity to revisit practices and my state of mind, to refocus, to reflect, and gave me weekly challenges to try out in the classroom. It also allowed me to try out things and to feel the joy of seeing a difference. Seeing the children’s faces and reactions after I implemented these things is priceless.

”

I liked the security to do my job in the children´s house in a more practical way. I have learned tricks to use with my students regarding materials and personal approach. I like how we have gone more in detail with the point of consciousness and the presentations. Learning that each presentation can offer something different, I found it very important to encourage motivation, new challenges and repetition.

”

I had taken two training’s with you in the past that made quite a difference in my classroom and in my mindset: Seeing is Believing and The First Six Weeks. I’m familiar with your passion, expertise, solid application of systems and philosophy, your level of knowledge of theory. I knew that participating in anything that you offered would be wonderful for me. I will be looking for more opportunities to attend your programmes and training.

ABOUT KAREN

Karen Pearce

Co-Founder & Director of Pedagogy, The Montessori Place

Karen Pearce is a Co-Founder and Director of Pedagogy at The Montessori Place in Brighton, UK, where she mentors the Children's House guides.

Karen trained at the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London in 1989. She went on to lead one of their model children's houses for 18 years before becoming Head of School, lecturer, and Course Leader in the post diploma course in Observation. Throughout her years with the MMI she was extremely privileged to be mentored for 23 years by world renowned trainer Mrs Hilla Patell.

She has 38 years of Children's House experience and she lectures and runs workshops across Europe and Asia. Karen also offers a weekly online mentorship programme, Montessori Unwrapped, to support guides in putting theory into practice.

FAQs

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ÂŁ300

One time payment

  • Lifetime access to progamme content
  • 10 hours of pre-recorded video sessions
  • Downloadable resources
  • Join 16 group coaching calls over two months
  • Immediate access
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PART OF SOMETHING LARGER

Module 5 is one of six.

Taken together, Open Monteversity is 60 hours of coaching with Karen Pearce. A complete professional development journey for Montessori guides and assistants working in the 3–6 environment.

Each module is available individually at ÂŁ300. The full six-module programme is available as a single enrolment. Many guides begin with one module and later choose to continue their journey through the remaining modules. If you already know that deepening your practice is a long-term commitment, it is worth exploring the complete Open Monteversity programme.

 

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