An Essential Condition

"In fact, learning is subject to an essential condition: that the pupil agrees to receive the knowledge and is able to pay attention or, in other words, is interested. His psychic activity is the sine qua non for success. Everything that is boring, discouraging and interrupts becomes an obstacle that no logical teaching preparation can overcome. We therefore need to study the conditions necessary  for the unfolding of spontaneous individual activities..."

Maria Montessori, Psychogeometry p 4

Atmosphere

"The instructions of the teacher consist then merely in a hint, a touch  - enough to give a start to the child. The rest develops itself. the children learn from one another and throw themselves into the work with enthusiasm and delight. This atmosphere of quiet activity develops a fellow-feeling, an attitude of mutual aid, and, most wonderful of all, an intelligent interest on the part of the older children in the progress of their little companions."

Maria Montessori, Dr Montessori's Own Handbook p59

Task of the Teacher

So we found that education is not what the teacher gives: education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual. It is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiencing upon the environment. The task of the teacher then becomes not one of talking, but one of preparing a series of motives of cultural activity spread in a specially prepared environment.

Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, p 7