467 Quotes by Maria Montessori

We teachers can only help the work going on, as servants wait upon a master.

Praise, help, or even a look, may be enough to interrupt him, or destroy the activity. It seems a strange thing to say, but this can happen even if the child merely becomes aware of being watched. After all, we too sometimes feel unable to go on working if someone comes to see what we are doing. The great principle which brings success to the teacher is this: as soon as concentration has begun, act as if the child does not exist. Naturally, one can see what he is doing with a quick glance, but without his being aware of it.

To stimulate life, leaving it then free to develop, to unfold, herein lies the first task of the teacher.

We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.

The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one can teach them anything!

Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child.

The human hand allows the mind to reveal itself.

When mental development is under discussion, there are many who say, 'How does movement come into it? We are talking about the mind.' And when we think of intellectual activity, we always imagine people sitting still, motionless. But mental development must be connected with movement and be dependent on it. It is vital that educational theory and practice should be informed by that idea.

We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry.