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Assistants in Toddler, Primary, and Elementary classrooms are vital to an authentic Montessori experience. While their roles and responsibilities vary depending on the age of the children in their care, ensuring classrooms are orderly and beautiful (also known as maintaining the Prepared Environment) is a key function at all academic levels. Assistants also help to redirect children, preserving the concentration of all members of the classroom community and helping children develop independence of both thought and movement; you might see them reading with one child or brainstorming with a small group about what work they'd like to choose next. At every level (except Middle School which does not have Assistants), Assistants serve an invaluable role and are an essential component of the success of any Montessori community. 

What is the role of a Toddler Montessori Assistant?  
Assistants play a more active role in our Toddler environments as they support children's independence through self-care activities, including practical life skills like eating, sleeping, and toileting. Assistants also assist with language development, helping the youngest children acquire vocabulary through songs, books, conversation, and one-on-one interactions.   Assistants continuously narrate what they're doing as these young children are in their sensitive period for language and absorb all that is said and done around them. 

What is the role of a Primary Montessori Assistant?  
In Primary classrooms, Assistants also play an active role, observing and getting to know the children so they can offer them tasks that build their confidence and stretch their capabilities to care for themselves and others. As Primary children develop greater independence, they are given more freedom to do tasks on their own. Primary Assistants quietly circulate and are ready to offer help when needed. It is a delicate balance to know when to help and when to step back. Dr. Montessori instructs adults assisting children of this age to "help me to help myself." Because it is easy to do things for children that they can do for themselves, giving children the indirect message that they "can't" instead of they "can," allowing children to be safely independent requires careful observation. 

What is the role of an Elementary Montessori Assistant?  
At the Elementary level, Assistants are assistants to the teacher and the environment, not necessarily to the children. They supervise the classroom overall, preserving and protecting the concentration of children and lessons, while the lead teacher manages conflict resolution and curriculum questions. Although Elementary students assume a larger role in caring for their class environment, Assistants still ensure the classroom's beauty, order, and cleanliness. Additionally, they may supervise student cooking endeavors and Going-Outs, handle administrative tasks such as taking attendance and completing forms, make materials, and coordinate Field Trips or special events. 

As students move from Toddler through Elementary, the role of the Assistant varies greatly. Yet, at each level, Assistants are crucial in achieving what Dr. Montessori called "normalization," classrooms of children who concentrate and work freely, exercising self-discipline and peace. As you reflect on your Fall Observations and look ahead to those in spring, we hope you will take a moment to notice our wonderful Assistants!