This particular quote is beautifully written by Montessori as an analogy featuring the teacher as an educated, attentive servant who guides and advises his master (the child) without dominating, scolding, shaming, or controlling behavior. How many miscommunications occur when people assume they understand another’s intentions or thoughts? As guides of young children, we must be hypervigilante not to impose our mistaken assumptions on children who are still learning to communicate emotions and thoughts clearly. We can help the children correct and guide their behavior, and provide fundamental knowledge and understanding, through clarifying questions, simple statements, and additional reflective questions!