Montessori and Learning Differences – A Neurodevelopmental Approach

Overview
What Students Say
What will I learn about?
Course Fee

Apply now

Overview

This course, grounded in a neurodevelopmental approach, will help you understand how to observe differences in individual children and respond in a way that supports each unique child to thrive, irrespective of their learning difference. It recognises that developmental disorders are spectrum disorders and there can be a world of difference between one child and the next and therefore avoids giving a one-size-fits-all approach. The course also address how we can celebrate difference and touches on when inclusion is suitable for the child and when other solutions may be more beneficial.

Whilst the course will impart a lot of information, it is also discussion based. You will carry out an observation and intervention for a child with learning differences in your own class (or home) across the academic year. These case studies will form the basis for discussion and sharing with the whole group. It is intended that this will enable you to draw on the experience of all the students and together to develop a way of working with children that can be applied in a myriad of situations.

Details

course Part time

Location Blended

Next course July 2025 - July 2026

Course format 9-10 days at our London training centre taking place in July 2025 and 2026, plus a case study of a child in your own time and 5 online sharing sessions over the course of the year. See Course Dates and Times for further details.

Entry requirements Montessori Diploma covering the 3-6 years stage

Who is this course for? This course is for those with any Montessori Diploma at 3-6 years stage who have an interest in children with learning differences You may be working in a Montessori environment or you may be a parent or another professional

"Children are not the same, and a curriculum that doesn't allow for individual development doesn't serve them."

Maria Montessori recognised that adults should respond to children's individual developmental needs. The Montessori focus on observation and tailored support for each child makes it uniquely effective for children with a range of special educational needs.

What Students Say

“The course included everything from how broad the spectrum of learning differences can be to the neuroscience that underpins these differences.”

“I can’t wait to implement the strategies we have learnt about and discussed in my classroom next year!”

“Listening to the trainer talk so passionately reignited our commitments to being a Montessori directress. She did a wonderful job of pulling together the concepts proposed by Montessori that neuroscience is now confirming.”

What will I learn about?

Development as an outcome of an altered developmental trajectory
Neuroscientific approaches to understanding developmental disorders
Educational neuroscience and neuro-constructivism
Dispelling neuromyths about how we learn
Enabling difference whilst supporting development
The importance of motor skills and movement in development
Observation as a tool for supporting development
Record keeping as a support to observation
The course will focus on considering each child as an individual but learning differences that will be addressed on the course include:Neurodevelopmental disorders
Autism Spectrum disorder
ADHD
Developmental language delay
Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Developmental coordination disorder (Dyspraxia)

Training Information Session

Discover Learning Differences in Montessori 3-6

Understand how children with a range of learning differences can be supported in the Montessori 3-6 environment

Neuroscience and what we know about learning differences

How the latest neuroscientific understanding can inform our approach to support children with learning differences

Apply your learning with children in your care

You will carry out a case study of a child in your care applying your observations and responses to support their learning differences

Be part of a supportive student group working together

You will gain and give support to your fellow students under the guidance of the trainer, working together to address real challenges for children

Course Dates and Times

The course runs over a year and is in a blended format with in-person sessions at our London training centre as well as students undertaking a case study of a child and joining 5 online sharing sessions over the course of a year. You will also have access to an online sharing platform which will be monitored by the course leader.

Module 1: 8th-16th July 2025 in-person at our London training centre 9:30am-4.30pm (with an option to listen to case studies from previous course on 17/18 July 2025)

Module 2: September 2025 to June 2026 – a case study to be taken in participants own time, as well as attending five sharing and discussion sessions on-line – dates will be coordinated with students once the course starts. During this time, you will also have access to an online sharing platform which will be monitored by the course leader.

Module 3: July 2026 – 2 or 3 days 9:30am-4.30pm at our London training centre (depending on number of participants) where students will share case studies and learn from other’s experiences.

Join an online Q&A Ask a course advisor

Course Fee

Course fee for 2025-26 academic year: £1200

Early Bird Fee: £975 until Friday 28th March

There is an option to pay in instalments, please contact us for more information.

Join an online Q&A Ask a course advisor

Apply for this course

Part time

Apply for Montessori and Learning Differences - A Neurodevelopmental Approach

£845

Next course dates

8th July 2025 - July 2026
Course format

In-person modules in London, a case study in your own time and online sharing sessions.

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply Now Training Information Session

Can you tell me more about the format of the course/ dates for in-person sessions?

Module 1: 8-16 July 2025 in-person at our London training centre (with an option to listen to case studies from previous course on 17/18 July 2025)
Module 2: September 2025 to June 2026 – a case study to be taken in participants own time, as well as attending five sharing and discussion sessions on-line – dates will be coordinated with students once the course starts. During this time, you will also have access to an online sharing platform which will be monitored by the course leader.
Module 3: July 2026 – 2 or 3 days at our London training centre (depending on number of participants) where students will share case studies and learn from other’s experiences.

Do you accept students from outside the UK?

This course includes a number of in-person sessions throughout the year at our training centre in London and is unlikely to be suitable for students from outside of the UK.

Where is the training located?

In-person sessions in London with additional study and a case study in your own time.

What are the hours of the course?

The case study is undertaken in your home and for many will be part of their normal working day. The in-person sessions in London will take place in the evening and are arranged with the students on the course.

What is the application process?

Applicants are asked to complete our online application form.

As part of this you must write a short personal statement (500 words) covering the following:

The reasons you wish to do the course
The school or environment in which you will do your case study
A brief profile of the child you will use for your case study (if one has been identified)

Details of how to submit the personal statement are included in the application process.

Please note that the intention of this course is to facilitate participants in a practical way as well as to gather and share knowledge and understanding about supporting children with learning differences. For this reason, priority will be given to those students who intend to do a case study. If there are places available, some places may be offered to those who only wish to audit.

Will you find a child case study for the student to work with?

It will be your responsibility to find a case study and this will usually be a child at your school or that you are already supporting. We can offer advise on selecting and working with a case study.