HKMRDA

Hong Kong Montessori Research & Development Association (HKMRDA) is a registered charity in Hong Kong, founded by a group of international Montessori teachers in 2010.  HKMRDA is devoted to develop and promote authentic Montessori education, provide professional training for teachers, establish professional standards for Montessori education, support other Montessori schools, kindergartens and childcare centers, and cultivate a group of Montessori parents and children. The founders of HKMRDA started to promote Montessori Education in Hong Kong since 2006 and  set up the first and only internationally recognised Montessori Teacher Education Programme in Hong Kong In 2012, (American Montessori Society Affiliated and Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education Accredited).

History of Montessori Development in HK

31 August 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of Maria Montessori's birth. Dr. Montessori's timeless accomplishments and contributions to education will always inspire us in our work today. Her educational approach based on a scientific understanding of the development of children is applied in over 60,000 schools across the world today. In Hong Kong, there are now over 20 registered Montessori schools. To celebrate Montessori's legacy, we look back on the history and development of Montessori education in our city. As educators and Montessorians, we dedicate our full efforts and passion into continuing Montessori's meaningful work of following the children and creating a more peaceful, harmonious world. 

1980s

-     The first Montessori Kindergarten opened on Hong Kong Island (Record from Education Bureau).
-      Various Montessori schools established around HK. These are mainly catered for the early years of 2-6 years.

2002

-      HK’s first Montessori Elementary School opened.

2006

-     The first comprehensive Montessori Parent Education Programme lauched in HK (range from 8 to 90 hours).

2009

-     Our founders and  HK Montessori teachers invited to the first Montessori Asia Conference in Taipei to speak on the topic of Parent Education.

2010

-      Hong Kong Montessori Research and Development Association (HKMDRA) founded by a group of International Montessori teachers with the aim of developing and promoting Montessori education and professional training for teachers in HK, Macau and Mainland China.
-      Our Founding Chairman spoke at the second Montessori Asia Conference held in Seoul.

2011

-      Founders of HKMRDA spoke at the third Montessori Asia Conference held in Beijing.

2012

-      The first American Montessori Society (AMS) - affiliated Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Education Programme (TEP) organised in HK by an American teacher Education Centre
-      Founder of HKMRDA invited to speak at the fourth Montessori Asia Conference held in Singapore.

2013

-      Our Founding Chairman spoke at the fifth Montessori Asia Conference held in Moscow.

2014

-      HKMRDA organized the first Teacher Education Programme.
-      Our Founding Chairman spoke at the sixth Montessori Asia Conference held in Tokyo

2015

-      Article on new parent education model in HK and Greater China published in Montessori Life (AMS Journal), authored by Founders of HKMRDA by invitation from AMS.

2016

-      The first Hong Kong Montessori Conference held, attended by over 300 delegates from 30 different countries.

2017

-      The seventh Montessori Asia Conference held in HK, organized by HKMRDA together with The Education University of Hong Kong, AMS, Association of Children Education International – Hong Kong & Macau and Montessori Asia, and Infinity Montessori Academy, attended by over 600 delegates from over 20 countries. 

2018

-      The first international Montessori Infant and Toddler TEP organised in HK, which is AMS-affiliated.
-      Founders of HKMRDA invited to speak at the eighth Montessori Asia Conference held in Shanghai.

2019

-      The first international Montessori Early Childhood TEP organised by a HK Teacher Education Centre, which is AMS-affiliated. 

2022

-      Our Founding Chairman spoke at the AMS annual conference.

2023

-      Our Founding Chairman received AMS Recognition Award
-      Our Founding Chairman spoke at the nineth Montessori Asia Conference held in Taichung.

Aims of HKMRDA

• Respect the rights of children and raise adults’ awareness of mutual respect with children. Advocate child-oriented scientific education ideas and practices in order to contribute to the formation of peaceful families, school, society, and the world;
• Research, realize and further Montessori principles and practices, and localize this scientific pedagogy to benefit Chinese societies in Hong Kong and other cities in Greater China;
• Promote authentic Montessori practices in the wider community of Hong Kong;
• Inform and support Montessorian parents, teachers and schools, promote exchange among educators, children, infants/toddlers and parents;
• Set up and promote universally recognized professional standards of Montessori education;
• Facilitate communication and exchange with local and international professional education organizations, including American Montessori Society.

Founding Chairman: Ralph Yau

• Director, Teacher Trainer and Field Consultant of Infinity Montessori Academy of Hong Kong (an AMS Full Affiliate Teacher Education Programme)
• AMS Recognition Award
• AMS Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood Credential
• Co-Founding Member of Montessori Asia (2009)