The child forms his personalities through interaction with the environment and as he develops, he learns and perfects himself, finding his path in life. An energy of life exists in every child that guides him to his goal. This life energy is called “Horme”.
“Horme belongs to life in general, to what might be called the divine urge, the source of all evolution. This vital force for his growth stimulates the child to perform many actions and if he is permitted to grow normally, without being hindered, it shows itself in what we call the “joy of life.” The child is always enthusiastic, always happy.” Montessori The Absorbent Mind p 83
A child, the “psychic embryo”, just like the physical embryo, needs a living environment in which it needs to develop. Maria Montessori believes in a necessary relationship between children and their environments. It is necessary for an obstacle free environment to fully develop their unique human potentials. Therefore, This is achieved by establishing a prepared environment in which a child can flourish.
The main goals of the Prepared Environment are to help the child reach “Normalization” and functional independence, while living interdependently within a community. A “normalized” child expresses his true nature in complete harmony with his environment; loving order and constructive activity; precociously intelligent, self-disciplined, and joyfully sympathetic to others.
“Dr. Montessori’s main discovery was the reality of the child’s true nature; normalized child being in complete harmony with his entire environment. She discovered that this new normalized child would consistently emerged as a result of applying her method with children… normalization– the central psychological event that defines the essential meaning, value, and purpose of the Montessori method.” The Essential Montessori p 62
The Montessori classroom environment operates on the principles of freedom within limits. The children are free to move around...