Sun
Jan
17
“ Everyone knows that, for a child to become a pianist, he has to do far more than merely imitate those who can play already. He has to practice interminably to give his fingers the skill that is needed. Yet, how often do we apply this naive belief in imitation to fields which are higher still. We read to the child, or tell him stories, about heroes and saints, thinking that this will influence him to become heroic, or saintly, too. But this is impossible without a far deeper preparation of the spirit. No one can ever become great just by imitation. The example may arouse a hope, awaken an interest. The desire to imitate may stimulate effort; but training on a vast scale is needed before the heights can be attained.
Maria Montessori in The Absorbent Mind
