The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life’s work, and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death. AMI is the recognised international authority on Montessori education and directs studies in affiliated teacher-training institutions around the world. During its long history AMI has fostered the growth and development of Montessori education practices and standards through active work with member schools, teachers and educators. Regular study conferences of AMI have served as important milestones in the exchange of insights which have grown out of the application of Montessori to widely differing lands and cultures.

AMI’s activities include:

• providing guidance for AMI training courses;
• co-ordinating a Training of Trainers programme;
• guiding approved manufacturers in the production of Montessori materials;
• overseeing the publication of Dr. Montessori’s books;
• organising congresses and study conferences;
• affiliating Montessori Societies; and
• publishing the magazine ‘Communications’ and a web site on the World Wide Web.

Objectives of the Association Montessori Internationale

The objectives of the Association are to uphold, propagate and further the pedagogical principles and practice formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori for the full development of the human being. The Association aims to establish these objectives by all lawful means and in particular by:

• Upholding the rights of the child in society, and making known the child’s importance for the progress of civilisation;
• Making known the natural laws of growth in order to help the child to develop naturally in the family, school and society;
• Awakening public opinion with regard to the moral dignity of the child as ‘the Father of Man’, and to make clear the true nature of adult responsibility toward the child as the worker whose spontaneous activity produces the full-grown man;
• Spreading and upholding the pedagogical principles and practice formulated by Dr Maria Montessori, which ensure the independence of the child’s personality through successive stages of growth until he reaches full normal development by means of his own activity;
• Providing opportunities wherever possible for children to develop normally, thereby helping all adults to enter into a new life of harmony and co-operation with children; and by thus unifying the two fundamental phases of human life, to lead the way to a higher and more peaceable civilisation;  
• Functioning as a social movement that will strive to obtain recognition for the rights of the child throughout the world, irrespective of race, religion, political and social beliefs; co-operating with other bodies and organisations which further the development of education, human rights and peace.

AMI Training Centres

There are approximately 64 AMI training centres operating throughout the world. They offer courses for one or more age levels, i.e. 0-3, 3-6 and 6-12.

All training centres are staffed by highly qualified AMI teacher trainers, and a pedagogical team of experienced advisors ensures that the objectives of Dr. Maria Montessori’s pedagogical principles are maintained. Students are examined by external examiners to further ensure the high standard and integrity of the courses.

Links

Visit AMI’s website: www.ami-global.org

Visit Montessori Australia Foundation MAF website: www.montessori.org.au

Visit NAMTA’s website: www.montessori-namta.org

To find out more about AMI teacher training in the USA: ami.edu/usa