One of the most important potentialities in each child is that of morality. Every child has the potential to grow into a moral and responsible adult. Yet our society indicates that what we are currently doing for many youths, in all social groups, tragically is not enough. He is already making moral choices, constructing his moral character. For it is only through his own actions that the child can develop morality.
Morality exists as a matter of choice.
And one day each child will have to make a choice on his own, a choice of compassion or selfishness, one of generosity or greed, one of love or hatred, and the only thing that will guide him at that moment of independent choice is the sum of all the choices he has had the opportunity to make prior to that moment. Maria Montessori made a profound discovery about the child. She realized that this freedom to choose moral action must be present in the child's life at all times, in the home and in the classroom. She directed that the classroom offer and protect these opportunities for choice, and therefore development. Each aspect of the Montessori classroom serves the development of the moral child.