ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI
INTERNATIONALE (AMI)

Today we need an education that is about human development, about all the great things that humans do, because knowledge is not enough. Let’s allow children to interact freely, independently with the world around, so that they become attached to it, so they become curious about it, so they know that they can take agency and have an effect on it.

— Lynn Lawrence, Executive Director of AMI

The Association Montessori Internationale’s (AMI) mission is to support the natural development of the human being from birth to maturity, enabling children to become the transforming elements of society, leading to a harmonious and peaceful world.

AMI is recognized internationally as an authoritative voice regarding the unique nature of childhood, natural human development and the rights of the child.

AMI is identified and sought after nationally and internationally as the custodian and cultivator of Montessori philosophy and pedagogy.

AMI is invited to assist international and national humanitarian and government authorities in addressing social and educational problem situations where positive change can be effected through the education of children.

AMI activities include coordinating a training of trainers program, guiding approved manufacturers of Montessori Materials, overseeing the publication of Dr Montessori’s books, organizing congresses and study conferences, affiliating Montessori Societies and publishing the magazine Communication.

The AMI was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori and her son, Mario Montessori, in order to maintain the integrity of her life’s work and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death. The AMI is working in many capacities to ensure that the integrity of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy of education and approach to child development is upheld in teacher training centres and schools around the world. It is currently working on a global Montessori Quality Assurance program to promote and support high quality, authentic Montessori schools.

AMI’s pedagogical integrity maintains the level of excellence that Maria Montessori envisaged in the application Montessori pedagogy in practice. The Scientific Pedagogy Group (SPG) continues the study, research and reflection of Montessori’s work and reviews current insights in child development and education, ensuring that AMI training courses meet the highest possible standards of implementation. The SPG also gathers information regarding children and Montessori practice from all corners of the world to enable consistency and universality of implementation.