Reject “Cog in the Machine”

Meet Oreo, today’s protagonist. At just under three years old, Oreo embarked on his journey at MSS Minhang Campus in September 2017, becoming one of our founding alumni. For nearly four years, Oreo cherished delightful moments within the MSS community.

When asked why they chose MSS and Montessori, Oreo’s mom, with a fondness rooted in her own Montessori upbringing, explains,

“Montessori, to me, means that when I reach a certain development stage, develop an interest, and feel ready, then I can begin learning. That’s what I truly appreciate. I don’t want my child to be a mere ‘standardized cog’ in the system, restricted by rules and limitations. If Oreo’s actions are driven solely by the pursuit of conformity, his unique strengths will be overlooked, and his confidence may wane. My hope is for Oreo to blossom as a self-assured and radiant individual.”

Enter the World of the “Professor Wang’s Lecture.”

Oreo’s parents, both involved in the performing arts industry, led busy lives—early departures and late returns left little time for quality bonding or extracurricular activities.

Determined to change the dynamic, Oreo’s mother made a life-altering decision. She bid farewell to her career, channeling immense dedication into researching and mastering the art of home education. She even obtained certifications as a family education lecturer and mentor. Drawing on her artistic background and keenness for new media, she launched her own parenting platform, captivating audiences through her educational philosophies and lifestyle choices.

Within her social media circle, a star was born— little Oreo:

His very own series, “Professor Wang’s Lecture” attracted numerous audiences, regularly sharing fascinating knowledge he gleaned from books. Amidst the pandemic, he introduced “Stay-at-Home Diaries,” providing insightful observations and reflections on various topics: the origins of Dongpo pork, the story behind the name “scorpion hot pot,” and even a guide on cultivating a lush forest of hollow-stemmed vegetables at home. These video series garnered Oreo recognition within his circle of friends, who eagerly awaited his updates and playfully urged his mother for more content.

But is Oreo naturally inclined to express himself? Contrary to assumptions, Oreo is inherently shy. Placing him in front of the camera for scripted performances would be met with resistance. However, when given the opportunity to express himself authentically and without embellishment, he thrives. During a class discussion on environmental protection, Oreo boldly interjected, “Ma’am, I know about something called red tide!” From there, he eloquently explained the causes and effects of red tide. The impressed teacher commented, “Oreo is a remarkable communicator!”

Rooted in the Montessori philosophy, which cherishes the child’s pace and natural development, Oreo’s mother refrains from pressuring him to express himself. “I want his expression to stem from genuine motivation, not forced compliance. Each individual possesses a realm of comfort, and within it, everyone is a born orator!”

Unleashing a Kaleidoscope of Interests and Linguistic Skills

Oreo’s family wholeheartedly supports his exploration of diverse interests. In the fields of art, STEAM, sports, and beyond, Oreo fearlessly delves:

In an art competition, he clinched first place with his portrayal of the “Flying Apsaras of Dunhuang.”

His passion for horseback riding persists, as he has mastered the art of galloping.
Transitioning from electronic drums to their acoustic counterparts, Oreo is on the verge of attaining the third-level certification.

He has even ventured into programming, designing his own fantastic escape room games…

Moreover, Oreo derives great joy from hands-on crafts, such as welding. In one class, he independently crafted a wooden scooter—a fully functional one at that!

Mom Believes His Development is Not a Linear Process.

According to Montessori principles, providing a prepared environment,recognizing each child’s unique characteristics, and nurturing their interests are essential.

However, every child develops at their own pace and under different  circumstances. In our class, there was a child who had already mastered division by the time of graduation, while Oreo excelled in language abilities. During his early years at MSS, Oreo started learning Chinese characters, participating in Chinese language activities, and quickly absorbing knowledge. However, his logical thinking skills were relatively slower at that time. But now, his programming skills have flourished since it requires strong logical thinking. This indicates that at this stage, he has reached a point where he can showcase his abilities. It’s important to remember that children have their own innate interests. By providing guidance and even if their potential doesn’t fully manifest now, they will inevitably excel in the future. Presently, there’s no so-called significant disparities; time is on our side.

Regarding academic subjects, Oreo is particularly confident in Chinese and English. “We have never had to provide additional tutoring in these areas. After four years at MSS, Oreo’s proficiency level is equivalent to that of a third or fourth grader.”

The credit for Oreo’s achievements can be attributed entirely to the Montessori environment at MSS. The Montessori teachers engaged with him daily in English, and as he progressed to higher grades, reading and writing became integral parts of the curriculum. Consequently, Oreo receives a substantial amount of English input each day, significantly influencing his language development.

Oreo’s mother shared an intriguing story:

“Once, while on a cruise ship, I fell ill. Oreo was only three years old, having spent a year at MSS. I went to the observation room, leaving him outside. The cruise ship accommodated numerous international passengers, and a Filipino nurse took care of Oreo.

After an hour and a half, when I left the observation room, I was delighted to find Oreo getting along well with the nurse. He comprehended everything she said – I believe he can also understand what the Montessori teachers communicate in class. He used his body language to express his needs, and as a result, he successfully obtained candies and various toys from the nurse without any communication barriers.

This example clearly demonstrates that the amount of language input provided at MSS is more than sufficient. Initially, we might ask questions in English, and he would respond in Chinese. However, by the time he turned six, he voluntarily initiated conversations entirely in English.

Hence, when I encounter parents wondering why their children don’t communicate in English, I always emphasize that a child’s absorption and expression require a gradual process. Once children are capable of genuine output, they will derive joy and a sense of accomplishment from their learning experiences.”

Meanwhile, Oreo’s mother highlighted the diverse environment at MSS, with teachers and students from various countries. This broadens children’s horizons, allowing them to embrace “foreign faces” without intimidation or communication barriers. Such children tend to exhibit composure and ease when faced with challenging situations.

“Since Oreo was young, I have enjoyed taking him on various adventures, exploring different countries. Our perpetual journey exposes us to unexpected circumstances, such as heavy snow or hail on mountaintops or finding ourselves without food or restrooms during road trips. While other children might become frustrated or impatient, Oreo remains composed. Thus, we affectionately refer to him as ‘Little Mr. Calm.’ This ability to handle pressure calmly stems from his exposure to diverse people and experiences, broadening his perspective.”

Establishing Self-care Skills and Management Thinking

At MSS, Oreo has acquired an impressive set of self-care skills and a keen sense of environmental responsibility. From dressing himself and tying shoelaces to neatly folding his own blanket and organizing his belongings, Oreo has excelled in taking care of himself and his surroundings.

“For a while at MSS, when he came home from school, he would proudly tell me, ‘Mom, I wiped the tables today,’ or ‘Today, I was in charge of something else…’ He has developed a genuine interest in ‘work.’ It has shaped his diligent character.”
As Oreo’s Mom said, during the pandemic, Oreo’s favorite activity was assigning household chores to family members.

“He would create a color-coded chart, using red for Dad, yellow for Mom, and green for himself. He would carefully allocate all the household tasks, clearly designating each person’s responsibilities. Oreo would diligently complete his own tasks first and then come to check if we had finished ours.”

“Oreo demonstrates a remarkable ability to plan, delegate, execute, and manage. He handles his own responsibilities with great competence. Such a mindset is truly commendable, and it is all thanks to the Montessori environment at MSS.”

The Most Precious Gift From Montessori: the Chance to Discover Themselves.

Speaking of the most valued Montessori principles, Oreo’s mother believes that Montessori education respects the unique qualities of each child, emphasizing their individual growth, rather than focusing solely on restrictions and limitations.
Another significant aspect is that within the Montessori environment, comparisons among children are never made.

“Montessori teachers never engage in comparing children with one another. Instead, they encourage self-comparison. They ask questions such as, ‘Have you made progress compared to yesterday?’ or ‘Is your work better today than it was yesterday?’ The focus is always on personal growth. It’s irrelevant how others are performing because each child is responsible for their own journey.”

Furthermore, the Montessori philosophy at MSS provides children with ample space for personal development, allowing them to discover and understand themselves, including their own desires and aspirations. Many children struggle with knowing what they truly want, but Montessori children have a clear sense of direction: “I know what I want!”

“Currently, our true deficiency lies not in material possessions but in dreams. By helping children discover their desires, I believe I am offering him the most precious gift as a parent, guiding him on a path to find joy and a sense of achievement.”