What we need is a world full of miracles, like the miracle of seeing the young child seeking work and independence, and manifesting a wealth of enthusiasm and love.

Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.

Growth and psychic development are therefore guided by: the absorbent mind, the nebulae and the sensitive periods, with their respective mechanisms. It is these that are hereditary and characteristic of the human species. But the promise they hold can only be fulfilled through the experience of free activity conducted in the environment.

The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult.

The greatest source of discouragement is the conviction that one is unable to do something

To let the child do as he likes when he has not yet developed any powers of control is to betray the idea of freedom.

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