Spiritual embryo essay

But, the spiritual embryo is more than development of movement or ability, it is the development of a psychological self. The experiences, sensations, and impressions taken in from the outer environment, along with a child's own biological temperament and chemistry, help the child bring together a psychological sense of self.

For this reason Dr. Maria Montessori called that the human being is still a " spiritual embryo " when it is born. "Man seems to have two embryonic periods, one is prenatal like that of the animals; the other is postnatal and only man has this." -The Absorbent Mind, p55, Chapter 7.

Just as the material body first takes shape as a selfforming embryo, requiring during its formation the protection and nurturance of the womb that envelopes it, the human soul first appears in the newborn child in an embryonic form that requires nourishment from a psychic womb—the protective environment of loving, caring parents and...

So, the man has 2 embryonic periods: one antenatal, like other animals, which included a physical work; one postnatal that only human species has it. The human’s baby has a prolonged infancy. That’s the difference between human and other species. Montessori insists on that difference between all other animals and humans.