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What does it mean to be accredited as a Recognized School by AMI Canada?
We are proud to be the only school in Western Canada accredited by Association Montessori International (AMI) Canada for children aged 2.5-12 years old. Our school was founded with the sole purpose of adhering to Dr. Montessori’s principles, they are ingrained into every aspect of the school - from our policies to the presentations - to be recognized externally as such is a proud achievement.
We are proud to be the only school in Western Canada, accredited as a Recognized School by the Association Montessori International (AMI) Canada, for children aged 2.5 - 12years of age!
This accreditation reflects the school’s commitment to authentic Montessori practice in meeting the developmental needs of children aged 2.5 - 12 years of age. Mia Montessori was founded for one reason, and one reason alone - to be a school that adheres, entirely, to Dr. Montessori’s principles. Every aspect from our policies to the presentations are in line with the Montessori philosophy - this was something radical at the time as there were very few schools in Greater Vancouver, with the same purpose.
The accreditation process involves a consultation from an AMI Trainer, at each level, to observe all aspects of the program - the structure of the school, the timeline of an average school day, the mix of children in the classroom, the materials, the training of the assistants, teachers and administrators, the size of the classroom, and the list goes on. All these factors work together to create a harmonious, authentic, Montessori classroom, and school.
During a recent consultation of the elementary environment by an AMI Trainer, he observed, what is a normal day for us, “independent group work, small group lessons, great work, Going Out and collaborative contributions to the classroom environment. He was awed by the beauty of the environment dynamics - to see in real life, what’s he’s seen previously in pictures, Dr. Montessori’s authentic elementary environment. It gave him goosebumps.
We are proud to be externally recognized by AMI Canada as being the only school in Western Canada to provide an authentic Montessori program for students aged 2.5-12 years of age!
about the montessori quality assurance (MQA) program
The name Montessori is not protected by any trademark or copyright. The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was founded by Maria Montessori and her son Mario Montessori in 1929, in order to protect the integrity of Dr. Montessori’s life's work. The AMI continues to work in various capacities around the world on behalf of children and Montessori education.
Parents in North America seeking trusted high quality Montessori programs requested a system to help them identify the schools following AMI’s standards or quality and authenticity. The Association Montessori Internationale has expanded quality assurance beyond the United States and Canada and is now collaborating with countries around the world as part of a global AMI quality assurance program.
what is an AMI Recognized school?
There are two levels of accreditation under the MQA Program, Member School and Recognized School.
Member schools have been visited by a consultant, and commit to working towards meeting the Essential Characteristics of AMI Environments. They are committed to working together, and be supported by AMI Canada in implementing the policies, structure, materials and other elements to be in line with Dr. Montessori’s principles.
Recognized schools are accredited as such as they already meet the Essential Characteristics of AMI Environments in support of the full development of the human being. These characteristics are the backbone of authentic quality Montessori environments. They reflect the principles set out by Dr. Maria Montessori in order to best serve the developmental and learning needs of children at various stages of development.
Recognized schools engage in consultation by Trained AMI Consultants every three years and commit to ongoing staff development through attendance at AMI workshops, conferences and refresher courses.
Introduction to Language
Dr. Montessori recognised that a young child has a natural sensitivity for language development that starts when they learn to speak. Children at 3, 4 and 5 have a unique fascination for words - written and spoken. This fascination is what allows them to begin reading and writing before the age that its traditionally taught.
Dr. Montessori recognised that a young child has a natural sensitivity for language development that starts in the womb. Children from 2 to 6 years have a unique fascination for words - written and spoken - they can build a vocabulary from about 200 to 10,000 words over this period. This fascination is what allows them to begin writing and reading before the age that its traditionally taught.
The Montessori teacher is able to follow each child’s period of interest and introduce the materials associated with language at the optimal time. Acknowledging that a child has already gained language (i.e. the mother tongue) before starting in the classroom, the teacher starts with sound games leading on to Sandpaper Letters which allow the child to come to writing with ease. Building words using the Movable Alphabet nearly always precedes reading in a Montessori environment.
For writing, children need two skills - the memory of the shape of letters and their corresponding sounds, as well as the muscular ability to use a writing instrument with control.
Acquiring both skills at the same time can be very discouraging and frustrating. The materials designed by Dr. Montessori offer children the opportunity to learn the shapes and sounds of the letters in a way that is independent from perfecting the motor skill. For example, the child can gain confidence in their ability to write by using the Movable Alphabet which allows the child to compose without the underdeveloped hand getting in the way. Children in Montessori classrooms learn to write, not by writing, but by performing a variety of purposefully structured activities that prepare them directly and indirectly for success in handwriting.
Some children read at four, some at five and some at six. The actual age isn’t as important as their level of readiness. If they begin too early, they’ll be discouraged. If they’re forced to wait and the time passes their initial period of interest then they’ll miss the golden opportunity when they’re propelled by their own natural enthusiasm. The freedom of Montessori allows children’s own interests to determine their progress.