The child's conquest of independence begins with his first introduction to life. While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path. A vital force is active within him, and this guides his efforts towards their goal. It is a force called the 'horme', by Sir Percy Nunn.

Little children, from the moment in which they are weaned, are making their way toward independence.

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.

We must support as much as possible the child's desires for activity; not wait on him, but educate him to be independent.

At about a year and a half, the child discovers another fact, and that is that each thing has its own name.

We are the sowers - our children are those who reap. We labor so that future generations will be better and nobler than we are.

When a child is given a little leeway, he will at once shout, "I want to do it!" But in our schools, which have an environment adapted to children's needs, they say, "Help me to do it alone." And these words reveal their inner needs.