Become a Learning Companion

This syllabus is the map for 9 months of becoming the teacher your heart already knows you can be: grounded, confident, and deeply alive with children.

It is designed to accompany you step by step: from your own school memories and beliefs, through a deep understanding of natural child development, into the concrete reality of daily rhythm, environments, materials, relationships, and community.

We will weave together:

• clear, practical tools you can use right away

• a coherent framework for your classroom, learning environment, or learning space

• a wide range of teaching techniques and materials from alternative education approaches

• and space for your own personal journey as an educator

Each 90 minute live zoom session is a blend of teaching and coaching.

MONTH 1 The New Learning Culture Approach + Alternative Education

• The New Learning Culture school model, an overview

• Photo journey of the flow-based Montessori and Rebeca Wild-inspired schools in Europe and worldwide

Alternative Education: Approaches, Teaching Techniques & Materials:

• Maria Montessori

• Rebeca Wild

• Reggio Emilia

• Friedrich Froebel

• Célestin Freinet

• Waldorf approach

• Non-directive play therapy

• Forest kindergarten

• Council holding
  

  
  

MONTH 2 The Basics of Designing Hands-On Learning Environments

• The basics of preparing diverse indoor and outdoor learning environments

• Designing spaces for workflow, distinguishing and pairing activities that feed one another

• Introducing children to active learning environments

• Meeting genuine needs through the environment

• Unstructured and structured hands-on learning materials

• Crafting, purchasing, and inventing materials

• Introducing hands-on learning materials to children

Start of parallel course: Designing Diverse Learning Environments

The detailed work of designing environments and selecting materials will continue alongside the entire training through a companion PDF course.

This will include:

• Montessori math space 

• Hands-Language lab

• Science and exploration areas

• Kitchen and practical-life spaces

• Pretend-play areas 

• Makerspace

• Interactive library

• Woodshop

• Indoor and outdoor movement environments

• Welcome and entrance spaces

• Nature and outdoor learning areas

MONTH 3 Natural Child Development

• The journey of embodiment from infancy to adulthood

• Flow state in child development

• The child's inner guidance and their self-chosen challenges
  
  

MONTH 4 The Educator Within

• How your own learning history shapes your practice

• From unconscious reaction to conscious companionship

• Writing your personal mission statement for yourself or your learning place
  

  
  

MONTH 5 Meeting Diverse Genuine Needs

Physical, Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual

• Becoming a Genuine Needs Detective

• Creating physical and emotional safety

• Learning through personal trial and error, timelessness, relaxation, and trust

• Helping children recognize and fulfill their own genuine needs

• Authentic needs and replacement needs

  
  

MONTH 6 Child-Guided Learning and Play

• The development of multiple intelligences, including practical, highly sensitive, empathic, visionary intelligence, and the intelligence of absurdity

• The self-healing and self-educating powers of spontaneous play

• Empathy through role play

• Accompanying imaginative play: inspiration from non-directive play therapy

• Holding space and boundaries for pretend violence and weapon play
  
  

MONTH 7 Setting Healthy Boundaries

• Boundaries in active learning environments

• Children's egocentric perspective

• Helping children set their own boundaries

• Mediating conflicts

• Peace education
  

  
  

MONTH 8 Being a Learning Companion

• Observing with loving attention

• Non-invasive teaching

• Maria Montessori's three-period lesson and other teaching scripts

• Being a companion to children as well as co-teachers and parents
  

  
  

MONTH 9 The NLC-based School in Practice

• Daily rhythm and structure, weekly council meetings

• Exploration teams and apprenticeships

• Progress assessment and the checklist curriculum

• Parent involvement

• Your learning place as a community hub:
  open houses, art galleries, weekly market booths, monthly café days, exchange boards, seasonal celebrations, and more

• First steps to founding NLC-based learning communities
  

FINAL: Personal 1:1 Session with Carmen

At the end of the program, each participant submits a short Personal Learning Companion Statement with their most important takeaways and mission as an educator.

Carmen reads it before your session, and together you integrate what you've learned and answer remaining questions to complete your certification.

By the end of this training, you'll walk away with:

A complete, hands-on learning environment built around the children you serve. And a Certificate of Completion as a Learning Companion in the New Learning Culture Model.