EMASI Becomes a Member of the American Montessori Society
This January, the EMASI community shared the exciting news that the school has officially become a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS), a long-established professional organization that advocates for quality Montessori education.
The American Montessori Society acknowledges that the teaching and learning in EMASI’ s Early Years are inspired by Montessori principles, which are integrated into the program through hands-on learning experiences.
The American Montessori Society (AMS) is a professional organization dedicated to the study, development, and support of Montessori education. AMS provides professional reference frameworks and guidance related to teacher training, classroom environments, and Montessori pedagogical practices.
How Montessori inspires EMASI’s Early Years Program
At EMASI, Montessori principles are referenced within the Early Years program and implemented through selected learning activities as part of the overall curriculum.
Child-Led Learning
Children are encouraged to choose learning activities that align with their individual abilities and pace. Teachers act as observers and guides, supporting exploration and discovery rather than providing direct answers, helping children gradually develop self-regulation and problem-solving skills.
Learning through Hands-On Experiences with Concrete Materials
With professional guidance and reference from AMS, Montessori learning materials are used purposefully to support children’s learning and skill development:
- English: Resources such as Sandpaper Letters and the Movable Alphabet help children understand the relationship between sounds and letters, supporting early literacy development and phonics learning.
- Mathematics: Concrete resources such as beads and number rods help students physically understand quantity and operations.
- Sensorial: Activities and materials like Color Tablets and Sound Cylinders help children refine their senses. This builds the physical clarity they need before moving on to more complex math and linguistic concepts.
- Practical Life: Social skills, including Montessori “Grace and Courtesy,” are embedded into practical life activities, supporting independence, fine motor development, and everyday social interactions.
The Significance of AMS Membership
Becoming a member of the American Montessori Society brings meaningful benefits to the entire EMASI learning community, from students and families to educators and the school as a whole:
- For students, learning takes place within an environment informed by researched and developmentally appropriate Montessori principles, supporting early concentration, independence, and problem-solving skills.
- For parents, AMS membership serves as a professional reference, offering clarity about how the Early Years program is designed and implemented.
- For educators, access to AMS resources, research, and professional development opportunities supports continuous refinement of teaching practices and sustained classroom quality.
- From a long-term perspective, AMS membership provides a strong foundation for the school’s ongoing development in alignment with internationally recognized educational standards.
As an AMS member, EMASI uses AMS professional resources as a reference when reviewing how Montessori-informed practices are applied within the Early Years program. In the long term, the school aspires to pursue full AMS accreditation as a next step in evaluating its program, teaching team, and learning environment against AMS professional frameworks. This direction reflects EMASI’s commitment to long-term partnership with families in building a stable and supportive learning community for young children.
