It is easy to substitute our will for that of the child by means of suggestion or coercion; but when we have done this we have robbed him of his greatest right, the right to construct his own personality.
Maria MontessoriHow can we speak of Democracy or Freedom when from the very beginning of life we mould the child to undergo tyranny, to obey a dictator? How can we expect democracy when we have reared slaves? Real freedom begins at the beginning of life, not at the adult stage. These people who have been diminished in their powers, made short-sighted, devitalized by mental fatigue, whose bodies have become distorted, whose wills have been broken by elders who say: "your will must disappear and mine prevail!"-how can we expect them, when school-life is finished, to accept and use the rights of freedom?
Maria MontessoriIf children are allowed free development and given occupation to correspond with their unfolding minds their natural goodness will shine forth.
Maria MontessoriThe teacher, when she begins work in our schools, must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal himself through work.
Maria Montessori