Limited spaces– don’t delay, send in your applications now!

So, if you are considering staying “in-house” at the beautiful Kawai Purapura Retreat Centre to attend the AMI 3-6 Course starting this summer, we need to hear from you ASAP!

The busy team at the Retreat Centre tells us rooms are filling fast.

Remember, MMEF students will be eligible for the discounted rate of $22/p.p. per night in a twin share room. For more details visit http://www.kawaipurapura.co.nz/retreat-accommodation-2, email Roz at accommodation@kawaipurapura.co.nz, or call 09 415 9468 and pencil in your booking this week.

Don’t delay. Spaces will fill fast for this summer!

Facebook – So Many Likes in Such a Short Time

Well, you’re obviously enjoying the soupçons of information on our Facebook page at the moment. We’re getting many reads and many, many likes, thank you!

If you haven’t already checked out our new Facebook page, why not head there now and press ‘Like.’ Every ‘Like’ helps.

www.facebook.com/mariamontessorieducationfoundation

 

Screen Time – Is it Addictive?

Talking of screen time… most of us have experienced how an intentional short spell of TV watching at the end of the day to unwind or relax keeps you up later than you’d ever intended. Or the scenario of “I’ll just check my emails…” and before you know it several hours have passed?

Screen time - albeit via any manner of electronic device can be additive. Here’s a compelling article (and cartoon!) about the effects of such on the young - still developing – brain: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201402/gray-matters-too-much-screen-time-damages-the-brain

Ka kite ano,

MMEF

PS: When should you apply for the 2015- 2017 AMI 3-6 Course? Now! Applications are open until the end of October 2014, but spaces are filling fast.

Visit mmef.org.nz to download the Course brochure or email mmef@ihug.co.nz for more information.

Fuelling the Flame Within: Montessori Education and the Development of the Self

Steven Hughes is a paediatric neuropsychologist who was so impressed at what he saw in his daughter’s Montessori school – so intrigued at how beautifully the Montessori system reinforces a child’s growth and natural brain development – that he joined the company: lending his considerable ability to the Association Montessori International Global Research Committee and travelling the world to talk about their work.
Last night he spoke to an Auckland audience of 300 about the way Montessori education “fuels the flame” of each child's unique identity, and how mainstream education helps snuff it out:

Beginning as a tiny spark, the light that shines within a child will, over time, grow to become a steady, strong flame if he or she experiences an environment that recognizes, respects, and fuels it. What are the requisite features of such an environment? What makes Montessori education so effective in "fuelling the flame" of each child's unique identity? 
    Part of Dr. Montessori's genius was her understanding that human development requires different experiences at different stages of development. In this lecture, Dr. Steve Hughes will explore how the environments provided at each plane of Montessori education support the formation of essential aspects of cognitive capabilities known as "executive functions." These capabilities are necessary for the creation of curious, creative, moral, inspired, and inspiring adults—people in whom the light of identity burns bright and warm.

This is a shorter version of the magical talk we heard last night. I highly recommend it.

• Download a PDF of the lecture slides from tinyurl.com/HughesAMS2013Keynote.
• More lectures and info at Steve’s websites www.GoodAtDoingThings.Com and www.BuildingBetterBrains.Com.

And if you’re inspired to think about becoming a Montessori teacher—or if you know someone who would be -- you’re in luck: there’s an AMI diploma course kicking off in Auckland this summer …

Happy Birthday Maria Montessori!

Last week, many of us around the world remembered and celebrated Maria Montessori’s birthday on August 31st, 1870.

How fortunate are we that her legacy is still thriving today!

Why a 3-summer-format course?

Many students have welcomed the news that MMEF are offering a 3-summer- format course, starting this summer - January 2015.

This chosen format is in response to a need to have AMI training accessible to those working or possibly already studying. The summer format dates coincide with the start of the university year.

Here’s a well crafted video about AMI teacher training too – enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLrW2H5VtVA#t=168

Recent Montessori Research from Australia

If you’re anything like me, I’m often asked for the research to show how Montessori children fare alongside their non-Montessori peers? Well, here’s a recent research paper courtesy of the Montessori Australia Foundation (MAF) showing just that!

The primary focus of this research was to identify how well the children enrolled in Montessori schools scored on the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) in comparison to the national average. Click on the link below to download the pdf.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjo2o16vdypygu9/MAF2012AEDIResearchPaper.pdf?dl=0

Maria Montessori Education Foundation on Facebook

Yes, it’s true! Visit our Facebook page, like us and ask all your friends to do the same!

 

https://www.facebook.com/mariamontessorieducationfoundation

Ka kite ano,

MMEF

When should you apply for the 2015- 2017 AMI 3-6 Course? Now! Applications open until the end of October 2014.

Visit mmef.org.nz to download the Course brochure or email mmef@ihug.co.nz for more information.