“To let the child do as he likes when he has not yet developed any powers of control is to betray the idea of freedom.” Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Children are born with great potential. Your child’s task is to develop their individual self and become a fully independent adult. However, they cannot complete the task of self-construction without purposeful movement, exploration, and active experiences in their environment. In order for them to be as successful as possible, children must be given the freedom to develop physically, intellectually, and spiritually. With freedom, we must also have rules or limits to help nurture a sense of order and encourage self-discipline. Maria Montessori recognized that when we allow freedom of choice with clear and reasonable boundaries, children will often act in a positive way.

What do freedom and limits look like in a Montessori environment, you may ask? The children in a Montessori environment have the freedom to work, freedom to move, and freedom to talk. In a Montessori environment, children have the freedom to choose the material they would like to work with as long as the item has been presented to them and is available on the shelf. When working with a material, the children are free to work as long as they wish without interruption from the adult. Children develop inner-discipline when they are engaged with constructive, purposeful activity.

The children have the freedom to move around the classroom, utilizing both fine and gross motor movements, as long as they respect the people and space around them. Children also have the freedom to rest or to observe another child as long as they are not disruptive. In a Montessori classroom, children have the freedom to speak or to choose not to speak. They can converse, exchange ideas, and share opinions with adults and children. The limit relates to the volume in which the child speaks. Inside, it is expected that one uses a quiet voice, while loud voices are reserved for the outside environment. It is the role of the adults in the environment to support the children in learning the limits of what is acceptable in each space.

Freedom helps children grow to be curious, confident learners, to experience things for themselves, to make discoveries, and to feel that they have control over themselves. The limits keep them safe while teaching them to respect others and their environment. They give children a sense of security and help them become responsible human beings. Limits also outline for the adult when to step in before a boundary has been crossed. Within these limits, we follow the child and trust they will develop on their own unique timeline.

At school and at home, there are rules for children to live by that help them learn respect and responsibility for themselves, others, and the environment around them. Within these limits, children have the freedom of choice, of movement, and of will. In order to support your child’s freedom within limits, clear expectations and ground rules must be set. The freedoms allowed and the limits set will change as your child develops their character, independence, and responsibility.

Gabby Almanza, TTMS Toddler Guide