Thursday, November 13, 2008

Quotes I don't want to lose

Supposing I said there was a planet without schools or teachers, where study was unknown, and yet the inhabitants—doing nothing but living and walking about—came to know all things, to carry in their minds the whole of learning; would you not think I was romancing? Well, just this, which seems so fanciful as to be nothing but the invention of a fertile imagination, is a reality. It is the child's way of learning. This is the path he follows. He learns everything without knowing he is learning it, and in doing so he passes little by little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the paths of joy and love. —Dr. Maria Montessori, MD

Like others I had believed that it was necessary to encourage a child by means of some exterior reward that would flatter his baser sentiments, such as gluttony, vanity, or self-love, in order to foster in him a spirit of work and peace. And I was astonished when I learned that a child who is permitted to educate himself really gives up these lower instincts. I then urged the teachers to cease handing out the ordinary prizes and punishments, which were no longer suited to our children, and to confine themselves to directing them gently in their work.
Dr. Montessori

2 comments:

Paula Vince said...

Wonderful quotes. What saddens me is that the work of pioneers like Dr Montessori don't get more widely recognised by those in charge of the public school system, after all these years.
Blessings,
Paula

jugglingpaynes said...

Those are nice. :o)

BTW, thanks for the comments on Chase's blog. He really appreciates getting them!

Sierra is in a paper plate craft whirlwind. I've never seen her so focused (and she focuses pretty well).
Peace and Laughter!