The Absorbent Mind

By Maria Montessori (1870 - 1952).

297 Pages | Fifth edition 2011 | Soft cover | Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar | ISBN: 9788170594307.

Every reader loves a mystery, and what more fascinating than one hidden in the 'heart' of the newborn child? This book touches on prenatal experience, but is mainly concerned with the growth and education of the child from birth, through the formative years, to adulthood.

The world-famous educationalist, Dr. Maria Montessori, illustrates the unique mental powers of the young child, which after no more than six years surpasses all other species. With penetrating insight, validated by close observation of child phenomena, she sheds light on the responsibility of adults to prepare the environment for the manifestation of the great potentialities and latent spiritual grandeur in the child.

From page 14:

" It is the child, who absorbs material from the world around him or her and moulds it into the man or woman of the future. To recognise this great work of the child does not mean to diminish the parent's authority. Once they can persuade themselves not to be themselves the builders, but merely to act as collaborators in the building process, they become much better able to carry out their real duties: and then: in the light of a wider vision, their help becomes truly valuable. The child can only build well if this help is given in a suitable way. Thus, the authority of parents does not come from a dignity standing on its own feet, but it comes from the help they are able to give their children. The truly great authority and dignity of parents rests solely upon this. "