"The environment should contain the means of auto education". Thus Dr. Montessori restates for  age children her basic principle - that the child educates itself - enunciated nine years earlier in The Montessori Method. Spontaneous Activity shows the author herself, like her pupils, growing in assurance and under standing as her efforts showed success and gained approval.

Translated from Italian by Florence Simmonds this book was first published in English in 1917. Reprinted by agreement with Mario Montessori as a document in the history of education this text is unaltered from the original edition. This edition, ISBN 0-8052-0097-5, copyright 1965 by Schocken Books Inc.