For nearly 20 years, MSS has been committed to providing pure Montessori education to families from 0-6 years old, helping children grow up confidently and happily in a prepared environment through the guidance of Montessori teachers.

Since 2004, MSS alumni have spread all over the world; thousands of children have left MSS and gone on to a bigger stage to shine, meet challenges and realize themselves in different fields. MSS graduates bring with them a wide range of interests, their spirit of self-discovery, their ability to think independently, their responsibility to finish, and their willingness to experiment. We are pleased with their growth and proud that they carry the MSS spirit with them.

Perhaps you, as readers, are also curious about their stories. Today, we launch the “MSS Alumni” column to share the stories of MSS graduates. We will trace their journey from MSS “seeds” that have taken root, sprouted, and are still flourishing.

“The child acquires physical independence through self-reliance; volitional independence through the free use of its faculty of choice; and intellectual independence through independent work without interference.” –Maria Montessori

 

Song Jie, MSS Alumni

United World College Changshu, China

 

01 Making a long-lasting commitment based on personal interests

Song Jei is currently a senior at Changshu United World College. He was only 20 months old when he joined MSS 14 years ago, in 2009, and attended MSS for four or five years.

When asked why Song Jie’s mother chose MSS, she shared that MSS’s Montessori philosophy is very much in line with her family’s educational philosophy. She believes in giving children the freedom and respect to grow up naturally.

After entering an international school, children face the pressure of their studies becoming more demanding. Parents are often more anxious than their children, so some families schedule their children’s after-school life to the fullest and try to force them to learn.

However, in Song Jie’s childhood, his parents never forced extra lessons. They gave him opportunities to explore and experience different hobbies. English, math, drama, piano, Lego, basketball, swimming, skiing, diving … Song Jei had the chance to try it all. After these experiences, he knew what he wanted to do and is still committed to those choices and interests.

In school, Song Jei loves math. Out of school, Song Jei has been committed to his hobbies for ten years. He excels in logical thinking skills and grasps the core principles of mathematical theories.

Based on his family’s educational philosophy, Song Jei was not a “show off” growing up, so he didn’t participate in competitions. He knew exactly what he understood and what he didn’t understand, driven by a strong desire to learn and love to ask questions and investigate. His strong interest in math motivates him to maintain a natural spirit of exploration, and he consistently achieves perfect scores in math.

At MSS, the core of Montessori math is to help children gain continuous enlightenment in logical thinking. MSS uses Montessori materials to help children develop the building blocks of math, rather than memorizing operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Education itself is a ‘long run’ not a ‘sprint’. So, Montessori education is ‘waiting for the child to grow up’, Song Jei’s family also follows the same concept, letting the child discover their interests, their independent thinking, and problem-solving.”

02 Gaining strength from the team

Song Jie is currently studying at United World College of Changshu (UWC), a well-known international and diversified school with a boarding option. Facing a new environment and adapting to boarding life was a new challenge for Jie.

However, after this semester, Song Jie has adapted to the new pace of life. “I believe it’s very rewarding to embrace change and allow myself to experience real life in a solid way every day.”

Adaptability is one of the core skills developed at MSS. Song Jie’s mother believes that in the mixed-age environment at MSS, it is easier for children to adapt to their surroundings, understand the differences between people, and gradually understand the need for everyone to adapt and cooperate.

In his new environment, Song Jie is always trying new things. He is very fond of small animals. He joined an animal protection club and now plans on creating shelters to house small animals. In the future, he is considering planning a charity sale and other activities to help raise funds for the animal protection club. He also joined a “Mock Trial” club, which he believes will help him improve his thinking and public speaking skills.

These team activities give Song Jei a sense of belonging. He enjoys the warm, cordial feeling of being with his friends. “I met a lot of friends at MSS, and we even played together until the fifth grade. Although we stopped contacting each other later for various reasons, I always remember them, and this wonderful feeling has always stayed in my heart.”

According to Song Jei’s mother, life at MSS gives children time outdoors, in a mixed-age environment and supports the development of good friendships. Giving children plenty of time to meet and interact with children of different ages, Song Jei fostered a love of making friends and embraced the joy of teamwork and mutual understanding. Even if there are differences of opinion, they are good at resolving them and working together to get a good result.

Song Jie also loves to play soccer, which he has been doing for ten years. He recounted to us an event that made him feel accomplished.

Not long ago, the soccer club he was a member of played a friendly match against a neighboring university, which ended in a 4:4 draw. As high school students, there was a gap in age and physical strength between them and the college students. Song Jei and his teammates cooperated, trusted, and united in confronting a team with an advantage, and finally achieved a pleasing result that made him feel proud and honored.

03 Maintaining independence and sticking to your values

In the future, Song Jei looks forward to trying new things and meeting new people. He believes in the power of practice and that growing through practical experience gives him a sense of joy and accomplishment. Song Jei will keep trying new things and is not afraid of challenges. He knows that when he graduates and looks back on these three years, he will have gained valuable experiences. Song Jei will not regret his time and will be responsible for his own life.

In later life, Song Jei will encounter many new challenges, and different situations but each learning experience are valuable and will bring great appreciation.

Song Jei believes that part of this drive was given to him by his alma mater, MSS, which gave him strength and energized him. As he remembers, life at MSS was happy, with a friendly, inclusive atmosphere full of encouragement. At a young age, he learned independence and self-management. Song Jei understood the value of respect, equality, cooperation, and making many good friends. These memories will always remain in his heart.

Learning to be independent is one of the core aims of Montessori. Song Jie’s mother appreciates that MSS teachers treat children as unique individuals. In MSS, children choose their work, explore freely, and learn at their own pace.

Every semester, MSS hosts Family Days and Observation Days, and Song Jie’s mom always participated in these events. Song Jie’s mom observed lunchtime at MSS, and she found that even if the children are two or three years old, no matter how fast or slow they are, they will finish the meal by themselves and then clean up and put the chair away by themselves.

“I think MSS teaches children the ability to self-manage and build self-discipline. A child may not always be perfect, but he knows he can keep on learning. Montessori work promotes independence. The Montessori philosophy fits well with our family philosophy, as parents, we emphasized independence and self-discipline during Song Jie’s childhood. He now has more ideas and responsibility for his own life. Even if academic pressure comes up, he can adapt and face it well. He can accept that self-management and independence are necessary abilities. Although he may face challenges and have a hard time, he will not be afraid and retreat.”

In this regard, Song Jei believes this is one of his greatest strengths. He is persistent. If he is entrusted with an important task, he does not want to disappoint the expectations of his classmates or teachers and will do his best.

According to Song Jie’s mother, one of the most outstanding characteristics of children raised by Montessori education is that they have their own values from an early age and do not follow the crowd. They maintain their independent thinking and spirit of exploration and do not follow the “crowd”. “Montessori promotes taking care of oneself and one’s environment from an early age. If there is an argument with a friend, they should solve it and reach a consensus. Montessori’s teachers are observers, they provide guidance but do not overstep their bounds. By the time they get to elementary school, you’ll see that children are independent and self-motivated”.

Be moral, respect others, promote equality, do your own work, take your share of responsibility, be responsible for yourself, and don’t cause trouble for others. These are the values that Song Jei holds dear. At present, students need to choose their own courses in high school, and Song Jie will arrange his own course selection; after graduation, he will also have to decide on his university study. He believes that if he maintains his independence and continues to experience and experiment, he will gradually explore and find the most appropriate path for his growth.