2026 Conference of the AMI Montessori Affiliate in the United States, AMI/USA

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2026 Conference of the AMI Montessori Affiliate in the United States, AMI/USA

In 1907 the first Montessori primary class, casa dei bambini, opened in the slums of Rome, Italy. Over the next twenty years people from around the world visited and took what they could back to their own country; the attempts were not always successful so in 1929 Dr. Montessori and her son created AMI, Association Montessori International, to support authentic Montessori practice. Today there are AMI affiliates in 40 countries. For more information on the vision and mission, CLICK: AMI

Over 850 of us met in San Diego, California, February 13-15, 2026. Montessorians and non-Montessorians alike were welcomed to three days of learning, reflection, and connection. The theme was Montessori as an Aid to life: Embracing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Everyday Practice.
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Montessori Adolescents – Farm School in Sweden

SusanMayclinStephenson1 Comment

Montessori Adolescents –  Farm School in Sweden
In the 1970’s several of us met periodically to discuss Montessori’s plan for the adolescent and I created a newsletter The Erdkinder Project sharing progress with the group and stayed in touch with our mentor, Margaret Stephenson, who was adamant that most Montessori 6-12 classes were not preparing children for the independence and real work essential for an adolescent program. She did NOT mean academic preparation, but preparation in planning one’s own work,  being responsible for completing it, and finding it to be valuable to others, and as a result feeling the dignity and value during this first stage of adulthood.

15 farm

Montessori Centre for Work and Study
In October 2019 I was invited to speak at the teacher-training course being held in Sweden, on the southwest coast, at one of the oldest  authentic “Erdkinders” (Montessori land children school for adolescents). This is a working farm run for the most part by adolescents, students from many countries. Continue reading →

Montessori International Happy Holiday Wishes 2025

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Montessori International Happy Holiday Wishes 2025
I hear, from people around the world, that it is fun to “travel” with me through social media and this blog. So, to celebrate the 2025 holiday season I am sharing more and hoping you enjoy it.

In 2011 our family created a song/video celebrating Earth and some thoughts on the meaning of Christmas. We called it “A Christmas Prayer for the Earth.” Here is the link to an updated version of that video, CLICK: Video

The original YouTube version has received over 8,000 hits and has been translated into several languages, and every December travels the world. This pictures shows bread-baking in a Montessori IC (Infant Community) for ages 1-1.5 in Sweden, and one slide from the Czech translation of the video. Continue reading →