Montessori developed the concept of the spiritual embryo when she clamoured for the reform of an educational system that will focus on the child. She believed the child has such an immense power which can be transformed to
positive energy and a good future. During her work with children, she observed that the human
species has a double embryonic life – the first is the physical embryo which occurs during the pre-natal stage. A child is regarded as a physical embryo because he grows physically in the womb and is adequately taken care of by nature. He develops certain physical structures in the womb like the head, eyes, nose etc.
The second, which she called the spiritual embryo or psychic embryo, occurs during the postnatal stage. The spiritual embryo refers to the developmental changes that occur after birth during the first three years of life when the child’s intelligence is being formed. During this period, the child acquires the culture and language of the society into which
he or she is born.
