A Montessori Guide compassionately supports and aids the children in their spiritual, physical, moral, social and mental development. As an integral part of the prepared environment, the guide is foremost an observer trained to recognize the appropriate time to present materials and lessons to children to fulfill their developmental needs. The guide also serves as a model of the attitude and behaviors cultivated in the classroom community. These include: respect, kindness, patience, warmth and joy of learning. Their extensive training prepares them to negotiate the delicate balance of honoring the child’s interests and independence while guiding the child to understand the limits of their independence that come from their responsibility to themselves, as well as the people and environment that surrounds them.