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By means of his constant efforts, experiences, sorrows and conquests of difficult trials and struggles, a child slowly perfects his activities. An adult can assist in shaping the environment, but it is the child that perfects his own being. He is like a man who is always running so that he can attain his goal. The perfections of an adult are thus dependent upon his efforts as a child.

We adults are dependent upon the child. With respect to his sphere of activity, we are his sons and dependents, just as he is our son and dependent in our particular sphere of work. The adult is master in one area, but the child is master in the other and the two depend upon each other. Both child and adult are kings, but they are rulers of different realms.

Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood