The development of the child during the first three years after birth is unequaled in intensity and importance by any period that precedes or follows in the whole life of the child.

Education must start from birth.

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.

If children are allowed free development and given occupation to correspond with their unfolding minds their natural goodness will shine forth.

A child's character develops in accordance with the obstacles he has encountered... or the freedom favoring his development that he has enjoyed.

Let us treat them [children], therefore, with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop in them.

... the first thing his education demands is the provision of an environment in which he can develop the powers given him by nature. This does not mean just to amuse him and let him do what he likes. But it does mean that we have to adjust our minds to doing a work of collaboration with nature, to being obedient to one of her laws, the law which decrees that development comes from environmental experience.