Memories of the AMI Assistant Certificate Course – July 2012

Dear Supporters of the Maria Montessori Education Foundation

We were blessed  indeed, with 9 days of fine, crisp weather during the recent AMI Assistant Certificate Course in Auckland last month.

MMEF aimed to facilitate a learning environment which was conducive to understanding some of the key tenets of the Montessori philosophy plus having time to reflect constructively on the practical aspects of an assistant’s role in the Montessori environment.

Here is a combination of two of the students’ perspectives for those of you considering studying with MMEF in the future.

  “ The AMI Assistants course was an intense nine days during the school holidays but I came away with ideas and resources that I could use as soon as I returned to school.

The course was packed full of information, I felt that I came away with a much better understanding of the Montessori philosophy, in particular how everything links together, for example; the physical and the psychological – I feel like a have a much better understanding of what holistic actually means. I found the practical side very beneficial and now feel confident in pulling groups of different ages together.

The trainers, Vikki Taylor and Carol Potts, gave us individual support and made the information that they were imparting relevant and interesting.

One of the highlights of the course was the camaraderie of the group and being able to share ideas.

I recommend the course to anyone wanting to find out more about the Montessori philosophy or those who need a refresher and rejuvenation! “

Thank you ladies for your insights and comments!

Dr. Adele Diamond to speak at the 2013 International Montessori Congress! 

To those of you who are tempted to head to Portland next July for the International Montessori Congress ‘Montessori Guided by Nature’ – stay abreast with developments as they unfold. Here is the latest newsletter from the organizing committee……

Adele Diamond, Ph.D., is the Canada Research Chair Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.

Her recent work, including a paper in the journal Science, researching executive functions of the prefrontal cortex in children--functions supported by Montessori educational principles--is affecting early education practices around the world.

She created and organizes the immensely popular international "Brain Development and Learning Conference: Making Sense of the Science" in Vancouver, which presents exciting scientific findings in neuroscience and child development in ways that parents, teachers, doctors, social workers, and others -- can understand, see the immediate relevance of, and use.

Adele Diamond also reminds us that there is a reason dance, play, storytelling, art, and music have been part of human life for tens of thousands of years and are found ubiquitously in every culture, that perhaps we have discarded the wisdoms of past generations too lightly.

The 2013 International Montessori Congress in Portland, Oregon USA will bring together some of the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers. They will discuss and present on a myriad of topics both directly and indirectly related to the Congress theme "Montessori: Guided by Nature."

Subscribe to the Congress newsletter by clicking here or go to www.MontessoriCongress.org

Please email mmef@ihug.co.nz with your comments, thoughts and suggestions.

Ma te wa,

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne
MMEF TRUSTEES

AMI Assistant Certificate Course – July 2012 – Early Bird Registration ends May 25th!

   

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters

We loved seeing so many of you at the MANZ Conference last month, thank you for stopping by the MMEF stand to say hello!

 Here’s a wee reminder of a few forthcoming dates for your dairies……

The Montessori Australia Foundation (MAF) 1-day Conference & Whole School Refresher in Sydney on June 8th, 9th & 10th promises a line-up of excellent speakers to appeal to Assistants, Administrators, 0-3, 3-6 & 6-12 Diploma holders alike. Click the link below for the programme and for details of how to book. We look forward to seeing you there! http://www.montessori.org.au/events/events2012.htm

 

And closer to home - the AMI Assistant Certificate Course commencing July 5th – 14th, 2012 (with 8th July off in between!) We’re very excited about this.  There has been much interest following the MANZ Conference, and we are delighted to offer this course again this year. You will see from the programme of work that it will be a fairly intensive 9 days, requiring a firm commitment to attendance—hence good sleep and a positive attitude to work will be  necessary pre-requisites!

Those attending the course previously --both parents and those working with children--found the AMI Assistant Certificate Course to be a great source of inspiration. We trust it will be for you too. We look forward to seeing you in July!

What: AMI Assistant Certificate Course

Presented by: Vikki Taylor, AMI 3-6 Auxiliary Trainer, from the Maria Montessori Institute, London

When: Thursday July 5^th – Saturday July 7^th & Monday July 9^th – Saturday July 14^th 2012 (9 days)

Where: Quaker Meeting House, 113 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, Auckland

Time: 8.30- 5.30p.m

Diploma Awarded: A.M.I. Assistant Certificate

Early Bird Registration Ends: Friday May 25^th  Don’t miss out!

Email mmef@ihug.co.nz for a course registration form.

And finally, I would recommend you all to watch the beautifully crafted video entitled, ‘Building The Pink Tower’ http://buildingthepinktower.org/montessori

 

 “ Building the Pink Tower is a feature-length documentary film that opens our eyes to what Montessori education means today. With the help of educators, neuroscientists, families, and children, it answers our most challenging questions about what children need.

Most of all, Building the Pink Tower will allow us to see how the building blocks of rigorous teacher training, carefully prepared environments, deep respect of children, and warm and inclusive communities, fit together to support children in our changing world.

From this solid base, we can work to build education that inspires children and prepares them for life.”

Please email mmef@ihug.co.nz with your comments, thoughts and suggestions.

Ka Kite,

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne
MMEF TRUSTEES

New Year and New Adventures!

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters

We have good news and bad news this New Year. First, the bad news: MMEF were unable to secure funding at the end of last year therefore, the course that was planned for 2012 is unable to proceed as planned. 

The good news is we’re not going away. We will see many of you at the MANZ Conference in April. Come and see us at the MMEF stand to find out what’s in store from MMEF this year – plans are already afoot.

We can tell you that we’re planning to offer an AMI Assistant Certificate Course later in the year – we’ll have details for you at the Conference! Do continue to keep us informed of your interest in AMI Training and when there’s a real demand in New Zealand – which there really hasn’t been to date – we can make it happen!

Aid to Life Website – a message from Montessori Australia Foundation

We are delighted to announce that the Aid to Life website for parent education is now live.
The Aid to Life Initiative is founded on the idea that children develop optimally when they are brought up in an environment that supports their natural development, with an adult who understands how to connect them to positive activity and then allows them enough time to grow and develop according to their own pace and rhythm.
It aims to give parents clear, simple, straightforward advice in a format that is easy to understand and apply.
At the moment this website addresses the child between birth and three but its aim eventually is to address the needs of the child and the role of the parent with children all the way through to adolescence.
In addition to the website, a series of leaflets, booklets and DVDs have been created based on the Aid to Life initiative. These offer a useful resource for parents and anyone wishing to run parent support groups. These can be ordered from the Montessori Australia Foundation by email info@montessori.org.au.
WE recommend circulating the website address to all parents of 0-3 aged children. And here it is: www. aidt olife.org/

0-6 Training in Japan – a message from Susan Stephenson

See if you can access this page, and if you can feel free to share it with any interested parties. http://www.facebook.com/pages/AMI-Montessori-0-6-Course-Japan/331575853532427

It is the announcement of the AMI Montessori course that will begin in the Osaka/Kobe area of Japan in September. It will be given over an 18-month period, 4 sessions (13 weeks, 15 weeks, 11 weeks, and 9 weeks). Lectures will be in English with Japanese translation so people from all over the world are invited to apply!

Please email mmef@ihug.co.nz with your comments, thoughts and suggestions.

Happy Term 1,

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne
MMEF TRUSTEES