As Director of Central Montessori School, I strongly recommend the Assistant Video Training created by Mrs. Munn. I have personally viewed this training, implemented it with our staff, and witnessed its direct impact in our classrooms. The quality, structure, and effectiveness of this program have exceeded my expectations in every way.
1. Professional Quality
The videos are cleanly produced, easy to follow, and supported with on-screen key points that greatly benefit visual learners. The content is clear, organized, and well-paced, making it accessible for all levels of staff.
2. Mrs. Munn's Warm and Gentle Tone
Mrs. Munn’s warm and gentle tone made it easy to follow along, and her presentation modeled for me what it means to be a Montessori Toddler teacher. Watching and listening to her gave me not only knowledge but also a living example of the kind of Toddler teacher I aspire to be.
3. Short and Motivating Segments
Another strength is that almost every video is only 5–15 minutes long. This short format keeps viewers motivated and prevents fatigue. Because the videos are organized into focused segments, staff can engage in meaningful training without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Guided Questions That Deepen Learning
My own experience with the guided questions showed me how effective they are. After finishing the first video, I thought, “Yes, I understand this.” But when I began answering the guided questions, I quickly realized my understanding was only superficial. To answer properly, I had to go back and carefully re-watch the video, taking time to reflect more deeply. This process greatly strengthened my comprehension. Another excellent feature is that the sequence of the guided questions matches the order of the video, making it easy to follow along and find answers. This design doubles the learning effect, moving beyond passive watching to active engagement.
5. Easy Access by Topic
One of the greatest strengths of this training is that both the videos and the questionnaires are organized by specific topic areas. This means assistants do not need to go through the material in a fixed sequence but can start immediately with the area they feel most urgent about. The clear division makes it very easy to locate exactly the right video and the corresponding reflection questions.For example, I personally chose to begin with Video #1.4 because the topic immediately resonated with me: “What should I do when a toddler keeps saying ‘No, no’ no matter what I say?” One of my staff members had been struggling with exactly this situation during potty training. After watching the section on the “Crisis of Opposition,” she realized that the child’s behavior was not defiance but a natural expression of independence. This single insight transformed her frustration into patience and confidence.
6. Tangibly Practical and Immediately Relevant
This training is not limited to theory—it covers a well-balanced range of content from Montessori philosophy, such as What is a Sensitive Period, to the very practical details of classroom life, like how many materials should be placed on the shelves when preparing a Toddler environment. It is this combination of philosophical grounding and tangible, day-to-day guidance that makes the training especially practical and valuable.
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7. A Solution to a Real Challenge With Assistants
As a Montessori director, I know that while lead teachers pursue Montessori certification, assistants often enter the classroom without the same foundation. Yet, assistants are in daily contact with the children, and when they do not understand Montessori philosophy, miscommunication and disharmony can occur between leads and assistants. I have seen this challenge many times in practice.The Assistant Video Training has been a breakthrough solution for us. Assistants were able to complete the approximately 10 hours of training on their own schedules, answering the guided questions and submitting their reflections. As a result, they gained a clear understanding of Montessori philosophy, brain development in toddlers and infants, and the expectations for assistants in the classroom. The outcome was remarkable: tension between leads and assistants decreased dramatically, and teachers began working with one voice. Most importantly, the children benefited from a more consistent and harmonious environment.
8. Ongoing Professional Development
Even after completing the training, we continue to revisit it as part of our professional development. Each year, we select one topic area, re-watch the corresponding video together, and refresh our practice as a team. This ongoing use has kept the content alive and has continued to strengthen our staff alignment.
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9. Valuable Across All Levels
We began with our Toddler assistant teachers, but the response was so positive that we extended the training to our Primary class assistants as well. It proved equally valuable in helping them grasp the Montessori spirit at a deeper level. This confirmed for me that the training benefits assistants in all age groups, not just Toddler.
10. School-Wide Impact and Affordability
The training became so beneficial that even our Early Drop-Off teachers, After Care staff, and receptionist completed it. Having every adult in the building aligned with Montessori principles has transformed our entire school culture. Considering the outstanding quality, the cost of the training is remarkably reasonable. I recommend purchasing the bundle package, as nearly all of our assistants ended up taking the training anyway. It has been one of the most cost-effective investments we have made in staff development.ConclusionThis video training is an excellent resource not only for new assistants or staff without Montessori backgrounds, but also for certified teachers who wish to refresh their understanding. It provides a fast yet profound way to grasp Montessori philosophy, child development—especially for Toddlers—and the role of the assistant in the classroom.I wholeheartedly recommend this training to all Montessori schools. It will strengthen your staff, unify your classrooms, and ensure that every adult who interacts with children does so with a clear Montessori mindset.
“Give it a try! What are you waiting for?”
September 12, 2025Lois KimDirector, Central Montessori SchoolPermission StatementThis review was written after completing the Assistant Video Training by Mrs. Christine Munn and implementing it at Central Montessori School. I, Lois Kim, Director of Central Montessori School, grant Mrs. Munn full permission to use and edit this review for the purpose of sharing with other schools.