Psychic Embryo (Montessori)

by 01 Aug 2023Glossary

Psychic Embryo (Montessori)

In Montessori education, the term Psychic Embryo refers to the concept that the first three years of a child’s life is a period of mental development that parallels the physical development that occurs during the nine months of gestation.[1] During this early stage of life, the brain relies on experiences in the environment to complement the genetic blueprint. The term “psychic embryo” highlights the importance of the postnatal period in shaping the human psyche.

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Montessori Quotes

  • “The child has a mind able to absorb knowledge. He has the power to teach himself.”[2]
  • “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six.”[3]