Advocates an environmentally congruent conception of child development and includes Montessori theory as part of a biocentric view where child development connects to the laws of nature. Explains orientations to the world informing development of a biocentric vision of childhood: mastery, immersion, and engagement. Discusses how mastery and immersion unite in middle childhood to create engagement, providing an opportunity to deal with issues around the origin of the universe. (Author/KB)