Using examples from the animal world, Montessori speaks of the natural laws of life and the phases of childhood that are different than that of the adult. The child develops independently of the adult. Montessori says, "The child is the period when man is created," and "The child is a worker." Through work, the child can arrive at his own formation (finality). In addition to preparing the environment, the adult must understand that the child must be active beyond what the adult perceives as maximum effort. Growing beyond the expected only happens when the teacher respects the child's independent activity and allows the child to discover his own "mission." This lecture was delivered at the 13th International Training Course, London. The same lecture was given by Maria Montessori earlier that same year at a national Montessori teacher training course in Milan. [Copyright Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company (1927). The Maria Montessori Archives made this article available.]