There are a number of common misconceptions about Montessori education. One is that Montessori education is too structured and controlled. Another is that children are allowed to do whatever they want. Instead, Montessori education embodies an important concept … freedom within limits.
What is “Freedom Within Limits”?
“Let us leave the life free to develop within the limits of the good, and let us observe this inner life developing. This is the whole of our mission.” Maria Montessori, Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook
“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
Any true Montessori environment encourages children to move about freely and choose their own work within reasonable limits of appropriate behavior.
Those limits are the basic ground rules of the classroom. For example, children are free to move about the classroom and choose their activities as long as they’ve been shown a presentation of the work and they use the materials respectfully. Children are free to work together or individually, but they must be invited to work with another child and they must not interfere with another child’s work.
“The liberty of the child ought to have as its limits the collective interest of the community in which he moves; its form is expressed in what we call manners and good behaviour. it is our duty then to protect the child from doing anything which may offend or hurt others, and to check the behaviour which is unbecoming or impolite. But as regards all else, every action that has a useful purpose, whatever it may be and in whatever forms it shows itself, ought not only to be permitted, but it ought to be kept under observation, that is the essential point.” Maria Montessori, Discovery of the Child
“[Children] have shown us that freedom and discipline are two faces of the same medal, because scientific freedom leads to discipline. Coins usually have two faces, one being more beautiful, finely chiseled, bearing a head or allegorical figure, while the other is less ornate, with nothing but a number or some writing. The plain side can be compared to freedom, and the finely chiseled side to discipline.” Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
Through freedom within limits, the child can develop independence and self-confidence as well as respect for both him- or herself and others.
