The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life's work, and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death. The AMI is the only montessori organization that is sanctioned by the Montesorri family. The credentials of an AMI trained teacher is recognized around the world. AMI's activities include:

Providing guidance for AMI training courses

Guiding the manufacturers recognised by AMI in the production of approved Montessori materials

Overseeing the publication of Dr. Montessori's books

Organising congresses and study conferences

Affiliating Montessori Societies; and Publishing the magazine 'Communications',
the AMI Bulletin and a website.

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 DR. Maria Montessori

Born in Chiaravalle in the Province of Ancona in 1870, Maria Montessori was the first woman to practise medicine in Italy, having graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rome in 1896. As a physician, Dr. Montessori was in touch with young children and became profoundly interested in their development. Through careful and exhaustive scrutiny, she realised that children construct their own personalities as they interact with their environment. She also observed the manner in which they learned as they spontaneously chose and worked with the auto didactic materials she provided.

Her approach to education stemmed from a solid grounding in biology, psychiatry and anthropology . She studied children of all races and cultures in many countries around the world, soon seeing the universality of the laws of human development played out before her. She continued her observations throughout her life, widening and deepening her understanding until her death in 1952.