Japan Association Montessori——An academic research organization registered with the Science Councilof Japan—
Japan Association Montessori Office
Tomisaka Christian Center Bldg. 22-17-41 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 112-0002
URL: http://www.montessori-org/
Email: montessori1968@nifty.com
Postal transfer account: 00110-7-71777

The Roots of Montessori Education
Maria Montessori, a graduate of the University of Rome Medical School, was
one of the first women in Italy to get a medical degree. In 1907, she opened asmall school called Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House) in an impoverisheddistrict of San Lorenzo, Italy. Based on her success with children withphysical and cognitive disorders, Dr. Montessori established a method ofeducation with special emphasis on early childhood, advocating teaching
through scientific observation.
Dr. Montessori discovered that children are naturally programmed to
grow and develop, and that the only role of adults in teaching should be towatch over their charges. Montessori education provides an environmentthat supports and promotes the inherent ability of children to learn throughactivity.
During its century of existence, there was a period in which
Montessori education was not widely practiced. In the 1960s, in the USA, themethod was given legitimacy through verifications in psychological andmedical fields, and now schools based on the methods used at Casa dei
Bambini can be found throughout the world.

History of Japan Association Montessori
Montessori education was first introduced in Japan in the now-defunctYorozuchoho newspaper on January 11, 1912, proof that it was alreadydrawing attention during the Meiji Era. Unfortunately, the Montessori
method fell out of favor as the social climate in Japan shifted towards
militarism. It was a time when child-centered education with an emphasison independence was not well received.
The Japan Association Montessori (JAM) was founded in 1968. It’s
basis was the 1965 founding of the Umeda Children’s Home (Kodomo-no-ie),by Petro Heidrich, a professor at Tokyo’s Sophia University, and theMontessori Study Group, made up of professors of the Education
Department of Sophia’s Faculty of Literature. Association MontessoriInternationale (headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands) approved
JAM as a friendship organization. In 1996, JAM was registered with theScience Council of Japan, and has been recognized as one of its academic
research organizations since the Council was reorganized in 2005.

An Outline of the Japan Association Montessori
Organization (current as of March 2015)
1. Office: Tomisaka Christian Center Bldg. 2, 2-17-41 Koishikawa,Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0002
2. Board of Trustees: 26 trustees, 2 auditors
3. Members: About 900 (including individuals and organizations in Japan,and overseas members)
4. Branches: 10 (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokyo, Hokuriku, Chubu, Kinki,Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu)
Activities
1. Annual nationwide Japan Association Montessori Conference
2. Publication of the academic journal, Montessori Kyoiku (MontessoriEducation)

3. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees and All-Japan Board ofTrustees made up of regional branch representatives
4. Regular general meeting (held during the annual conference)
5. Licensing of and support for Montessori educator training institutions
Member Benefits
1. Discounted fee to attend the annual conference
2. Complimentary copies of the JAM journal, Montessori Kyoiku (inJapanese)
3. Discounts on Montessori-related books
4. May present at the annual conference
5. May submit articles to Montessori Kyoiku
6. JAM will introduce families to kindergarten facilities run by JAM
members.