"Montessori Diploma Awarded in Mt Eden"

When ten students graduate in Mt Eden tomorrow with an international early childhood qualification, it will mark a milestone in New Zealand education: the first time graduates in New Zealand will be awarded a qualification first set up and developed by celebrated Italian educationalist Maria Montessori.

The ten students from New Zealand, Australia, Germany and USA who began their AMI 3-6 training course in June 2009 will be joined by friends and family tomorrow at 10am to celebrate graduating with a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organisation set up by Dr Montessori to take her highly-sought after educational system worldwide.

New Zealand's Maria Montessori Education Foundation (MMEF) was established as a charitable trust in 2006 to bring AMI teacher training to New Zealand. Before this time, Montessori schools either had to recruit their AMI-trained teacher from overseas or send their staff overseas to complete this highly regarded, internationally recognised qualification--one often referred to as "Montessori Montessori Diploma."

Montessori education is so all-encompassing that it is easily embraced, no matter what culture. It is a unique method based on the recognition of, and preparation for the natural development of each child. The method was begun in Italy in 1907 by Maria Montessori, and has since spread around the world and been successful with children of many varied cultural backgrounds and abilities.

Today, Montessori schools are found in every major city of the world.

Nearly 4000 New Zealand families choose Montessori education for their children. There are currently 82 Montessori early childhood centres, 27 Montessori primary classes and one high school programme in New Zealand.

The Maria Montessori Education Foundation (MMEF) are delighted to share their delight as the students from the first AMI Early Childhood Course graduate on Wednesday January 19th at 10-12 noon at the Quaker Meeting House in Mt Eden Rd.

ENDS

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