AMI Refresher Course
Creative Expression through Visual Art in the Children’s House
- A fully online course14 hours of training
- Madlena UlrichAMI 3-6 trainer
- May 8–10, 2026
- Price: €197
Why This Course Matters for Montessori Guides
Art is not decoration.
It is a developmental necessity.
Well-prepared art activities support fine motor development, aesthetic awareness, independence, concentration, and self-expression. This course helps educators move beyond crafts toward purposeful, developmentally aligned Montessori art work.
When art is prepared with the same care as other Montessori materials, it becomes a powerful support for development rather than an add-on.
What We Focus On
- The seven elements of art: line, color, shape, form, space, value, and texture
- Creativity through freedom within structure
- Independent choice and repetition
- Variation and progression
- Art as a language of the child
What You Will Take Back to Your Classroom
Prepare art activities that are clearly structured yet open-ended, so children can work independently without adult direction
Recognise when an art activity needs variation or progression, rather than replacement or over-control
Offer drawing, color, and form work in a way that supports repetition and deep engagement, not quick results
Observe children’s art work with more clarity, understanding what it shows about their development and concentration
Feel more confident saying less during art work, while offering activities that speak clearly to the child
Identify when an art activity is truly complete in the environment, and when it needs adjustment rather than replacement.
How the Course Works in Practice
This course is built around active, hands-on exploration rather than demonstration or lecture.
Participants will work directly with simple art materials during the live sessions, exploring how the elements of art can be introduced, varied, and progressed in the Children’s House. Short theoretical inputs are always connected to practical work, observation, and reflection.
The focus is not on producing finished artworks, but on understanding how art activities are prepared, offered, and repeated to support the child’s independence, concentration, and self-expression.
Materials Required for Practical Work
Participants are expected to have the following materials ready for practical work:
- Sketchpad (up to 20 pages)
- Watercolors, brush, and water container
- Set of 12 colored pencils
- Set of 12 crayons
- Lead pencil, eraser, ruler
- Scissors and glue
- Compass for drawing circles
Course schedule
The course is structured across three days, balancing theory, practical exploration, and reflection.
DAY 1
Friday, May 8
ONLINE ON ZOOM
4:00–7:00 p.m.
Central European Time (CEST)
DAY 2
Saturday, May 9
ONLINE ON ZOOM
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Central European Time (CEST)
DAY 3
Sunday, May 10
ONLINE ON ZOOM
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Central European Time (CEST)
Who It Is for:
- AMI 3–6 Diploma holders seeking a refresher course
- Montessori guides and assistants working with children aged 3–6 or 6-12
- Educators wishing to deepen their understanding of art in Montessori environments
Madlena Ulrich
Madlena Ulrich is the Program Director for the AMI 3-6 Teacher Training at the University of South-Eastern Norway. She has a degree as Preschool Teacher in Norway and took her AMI 3-6 training in Dublin, Ireland in 1994 - 1995.
She worked as the lead teacher in the Children’s House of Tønsberg Montessori, a 0-15 environment situated in Eastern Norway, for more than 15 years and was actively involved in the development of the school. She has been a member of the Norwegian Montessori Association and much of her work is focused on the continued development of Montessori schools in Norway.
She did her AMI Training of Trainers with Molly O’Shaughnessy in Minnesota, USA and Ulla Wikefeldt, Sweden. Since 2010 she has been training students in Norway, where she works in close collaboration with Carla Foster (AMI 6-12 trainer), in addition to training in China, Thailand, Russia and Romania. Madlena frequently lectures in various countries.
FAQ
What is the AMI Refresher Course Creative Expression through Visual Art in the Children’s House?
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DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
Feel free to contact us!