Tim Seldin & Paul Epstein Ph.D. An Education for Life

CLOSING THOUGHTS
218
Iknow that Montessori education
prepares children for
the real world, probably the
way that most parents know, and
that’s when they look at their
grown children and observe the
way in which those youngsters
have become adults and faced the
world. Montessori gives children
an ability to face both themselves
and the world in a particular way.
Both of my children who had
Montessori education as very
young children have a quality of
daring and competence in their
own ability that has enabled them
to approach new problems and
challenges with appropriate confidence,
great enthusiasm, and
focus.
I believe that this is one of the
dispositional outcomes of Montessori,
which has never really been
measured, but which is palpable
in most parents’ experience.
I think that most parents who
have had Montessori experiences
with their children at an early age
would agree that there is a quality
to these youngsters who are now
adults that is particular to their
Montessori experience, though it
would be difficult to describe or
define.
— Nancy McCormick-
Rambusch, Ph.D.
Noted American Educator,
Founder & First President of
The American
Montessori Society
Irecently met a father of three grown children while waiting for my car to be
repaired. When he learned I was affiliated with a Montessori school he said, “Oh,
Montessori is great!” I inquired as to his experience, and it turns out his older
son attended Montessori. He said to me, “He is now twenty-five, and we can still see
the difference that his years in Montessori made.” It is this kind of intangible sense
that your child is more solid, centered, independent, or has a unique way of thinking
about things that is so hard to quantify, yet makes all the difference in the world.
— Susan French-Lawyer,
Admissions Director
Montessori School of Syracuse
Does Montessori prepare children for the real world? This is a question I hear
all the time. And my reaction to this question is to ask another question:
Whose world are you talking about? Are you concerned that we are not
preparing children for corporate America or for a world that does not offer freedom of
choice, a world that is not interested in receiving a new productive, contributing member,
one who cares about their fellow human beings, possesses a joy of learning, and
is a clear thinking, creative, problem-solving, self-confident, compassionate human
being.
What world is out there that would not want or desire an individual prepared for
being fully present in the way that was just described? I have often wondered what real
world would want anyone prepared in a lesser form.
— Melody Mosby, Program Director
Athens Montessori School,
Athens, Georgia