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.

If we really want children to grow into independent and resourceful adults, we should stop pouring their milk as soon as they have learned to pour it themselves and stop fastening their buttons as soon as they can fasten them without help.

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

Order is one of the needs of life which, when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness

The child who concentrates is immensely happy

Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.

All our handling of the child will bear fruit, not only at the moment, but in the adult they are destined to become.