The Absorbent Mind is a term adopted by Dr. Maria Montessori to describe a distinct process of development observable in a young child, between birth and six years of age.  Montessori's theory of the Absorbent Mind describes the way in which a young child's brain unselectively takes in information from the environment. 
It characterises the period of development where there is limitless capacity for learning - when the complex neural pathways and connections required for later intellectual and psychological development are being formed.
Montessori used the terms absorbent and mind very specifically to describe this process.
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Absorbent - to portray the child's active, undiscriminating means of receiving of information - like a sponge absorbing all liquid that surrounds it.
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Mind - to distinguish this learning process from that of the brain's physical development.
The theory identifies the absorbent mind as having two defining characteristics:
       A non-discriminatory nature and
      A temporary presence in the process of human development

The most discernible characteristic of a child's Absorbent Mind is its unique capacity to take in new information totality and without discrimination. Like a sponge, the minds of young children can absorb all the information from their surrounds. Unlike a sponge, however, their minds never reach a point of saturation. All information experienced through one or more of the senses is collected without filtering.