A three to six-year old child possesses what Dr. Maria Montessori called the absorbent mind or the ability to absorb all aspects of his/her culture and environment without effort or fatigue. As an aid to this period of the child’s self-construction, work (Montessori lessons) offers the appropriate cognitive stimulation. Emotional development occurs naturally as the child interacts with his peers and teachers and progresses through the different levels of materials in the Montessori classroom.