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
