I was reviewing one of Dr. Montessori's books and the following quote struck a chord.  How important to remember that in the Montessori classroom the teachers are the protectors of the time and space that each child needs in order to fully delve into his or her learning.

“The teacher experienced in this method knows how to wait; she realizes that the child needs to exercise his mind constantly and slowly; and if the inner maturation takes place naturally, ‘intuitive explosions’ are bound to follow as a matter of course.  The more we allow the children to follow their interests which have claimed their fixed attention, the greater will be the value of the results.” –Dr. Maria Montessori, The Montessori Elementary Material