Lecture on Movement, London 1946

On the 1946 Training Course in London, Dr. Montessori spoke of the importance of freedom of movement for the very young child. She illustrated her lecture with a number of personal observations, demonstrating the child's inner drive towards the construction of the adult of the future.

"... Now that the child can walk independently, he begins not only to carry heavy things but also to engage in other activities which are difficult for him. He needs to engage in what we call 'the maximum effort'. He climbs on chairs, climbs the stairs, he does all those things which require a great effort. It is not merely that he exercises his conquest but that his conquest enables him to exert great effort. This is an example of horme which compels the child to exert the maximum effort: to go into the world and do these difficult movements. Children of this age evidently have an urge of nature, a determined urge, because all children all over the world show the same need to exert the maximum effort."