Freedom Within Limits

This article was sent to our parents from Miss Joanna, one of our Children’s House teachers.
Miss Joanna’s thoughts are combined with excerpts from What Does Freedom Within Limits Mean in Montessori Education – by Kids USA Montessori

 

A common concept within Montessori classrooms is “freedom within limits”.

What does freedom within limits mean? This concept embraces the notion that children are learning to be independent. How often do you hear a toddler say, “I do it myself?” I’ll be honest my 13-year-old often “growls” at me if I offer to help her with anything. Whether your child is a toddler or middle schooler they are learning to be independent. Montessori supports this through the “prepared
environment” where students can move freely and explore safely. In the classroom students are given opportunities to make decisions for themselves.

 Yourself: children learn to respect themselves by working safely and productively in the classroom. They gain freedom by being able to choose materials to work with that they have been shown how to use respectfully.
 Others: learning respect for others through social skills and behavior. How to talk to your peers and respect their workspace.
 Environment: respect the environment by treating the classroom and materials with care. Keeping spaces clean, taking care of classroom plants or animals, and using materials as intended.

Some common areas of boundaries and accountability:
 Materials within the classroom have an intended purpose.
 Your freedom of movement and choice is not at another’s expense.
 Natural consequences, real-life consequences make more sense.
 Freedom within the classrooms grows with a child’s ability to handle more responsibility.

“Why Boundaries Are Essential for True Freedom in a Montessori Environment”
“Freedom in a Montessori classroom in not about letting children do whatever they want. It’s about making sure they can safely and respectfully explore within limits that are clear, consistent, and kind. These boundaries give children the structure they need to feel secure. Think of them as the sides of a river. Without them, the water (or freedom) spills everywhere.”