The Chinese Society of Education signed cooperation contracts with the American Montessori Society during the weekend in Beijing, in hopes of promoting the development of Montessori education in China.

The education method, named after Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori, features independence, freedom within limits and respect for a child’s natural development. AMS is an organization that has been advocating this educational method in schools of the United States since 1960s.

Zhong Binglin, president of the CSE, said Montessori education has been used in Chinese schools for a period of time and is familiar with Chinese teachers and parents. However, a lack of uniform standards has hindered the international educational idea from further development in China.

By cooperating with the AMS, Zhong said, the CSE will try to set up a standardized system to establish Montessori schools and train Montessori teachers.

Meanwhile, the CSE will also make efforts to combine the international teaching idea with specific education conditions in China, by learning from AMS’ experiences in localizing Montessori education, Zhong added.

Richard Ungerer, executive director of AMS, said he believes the cooperation will promote the development of Montessori education in China, and strengthen the ties between the two education organizations as well.