• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Start Here
  • Montessori Subjects
    • Art & Music
    • Culture
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • Practical Life
    • Science
    • Sensorial
  • Curriculum
    • Montessori Books
  • Planning
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Montessori Child
    • Montessori Guide
    • Montessori Organization
  • Blog
Master the Montessori Life

Master the Montessori Life

Create smooth, successful Montessori days

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Work with Me
  • Assessment
  • Live Trainings
  • Shop
  • Podcast

What ‘Freedom Within Limits’ looks like in the Montessori Environment

Live Training, Montessori at Home, Montessori Child, Montessori Guide, Montessori Organization, Planning

Spread the love

Freedom Within Limits’ in the Montessori Environment Come and find out how freedom within limits works for discipline in children.

The Montessori curriculum and activities regarding young children and independence are described in detail in this section.

If you are a Montessori teacher or parent and have been looking into the Montessori curriculum or would like to learn more about Montessori activities, then you have come to the right place.

Understanding the philosophical underpinnings of the Montessori method is critical to your success in the method, regardless of you working at a Montessori school or doing it at home.

Because Montessori practices differ significantly from those of traditional schools, the subject of discipline is a hot topic in Montessori circles.

Freedom Within Limits' in the Montessori Environment Come and find out how freedom within limits works for discipline in children.

Let’s discuss three things about this very important topic in Montessori education.

It will open your eyes to a new way to determine freedoms, limits, boundaries and more.

Episode 3: How ‘Freedom Within Limits’ works in the Montessori Environment
Episode 3: How ‘Freedom Within Limits’ works in the Montessori Environment
00:00/44:52
RSS Feed
Share
Link
Embed

#1 Be more aware of the words “encroachment” and “permissiveness.”

These are diametrically opposed to one another, and both are harmful to children in The Montessori classroom.

Please pay close attention to the direction in which the pendulum swings between the two.

It is inevitable that both extremes will have a negative impact on children.

Why?

Because encroaching is being a helicopter parent or teacher, not allowing the child to make their own decisions or to progress into greater independence, is to be prohibited in your mind.

Permissiveness, on the other hand, will allow the child to run free without supervision, without assisting them in learning the proper steps to take in order to achieve independence and confidence.

“He never has time or opportunity to test himself, to estimate his own force and his own limitations because he is always interrupted and subjected to our tyranny, and languishes in injustice because he is always being bitterly reproached for not having what adults are perpetually destroying.“

Maria Montessori, The Montessori Method
Freedom Within Limits' in the Montessori Environment Come and find out how freedom within limits works for discipline in children.

#2 Help the child be a master of himself.

Child independence… What a scary and amazing thought… Isn’t it?

In the event that they are under the control of another, they are not in control of themselves.

Children learn best through discovery and if we give them the power of control, they can work independently.

As previously stated, if we don’t allow the child to have some control over the situation, they will not be able to learn from their mistakes.

Which of the following options would you prefer to take?

A. Allow the child to experiment with new things in a safe environment under your supervision, even if they fail.

B. Constantly tell the child what to do, micromanage them, and deny them the opportunity to explore new possibilities.

Choosing Option A. will assist the child in developing courage and self-confidence, as well as a sense of wonder and an openness to trying new things, which will enable the child to be more successful in future endeavors.

If you choose Option B, you will be doing a great disservice to your child because you will not be preparing them for life in the real world, for making decisions for themselves, and for learning from their mistakes.

Make an informed decision.

“We call an individual disciplined when he is master of himself, and can, therefore regulate his own conduct when it shall be necessary to follow some rule of life.”

Maria Montessori, The Montessori Method
Freedom Within Limits' in the Montessori Environment Come and find out how freedom within limits works for discipline in children.

#3 Make a list of freedoms you can let go of.

Please give yourself some grace on a daily basis.

I know it is hard, but start with one or two things and work your way up.

Children want to be free, so you need to focus on a safe environment training of sorts.

You want to have less stress in your life and in how you carry out your Montessori environment.

How can these two reconcile?

It is difficult, yes, but it is worth letting go of some things.

You might think, and rightfully so, that letting the child be free to make some decisions will be stressful.

It will be, but only for a time, especially as they become more normalized and learn more on how to use Montessori materials.

But if you do it right, you will help the child become independent and learn how to make the right decisions.

That is when you get to sit back and enjoy the beautiful Montessori journey right before your eyes.

In other words, work hard at first and enjoy later, but boy, it is worth it. 

“The first glimmerings of discipline appear as the result of work. At some given moment it happens that the child becomes deeply interested in a piece of work; we see it in the expression of his face, his intense concentration, the devotion to his exercise… We find therefore that discipline comes by an indirect route, by developing activity in spontaneous work.“

Maria Montessori, Discovery of the Child
Freedom Within Limits' in the Montessori Environment Come and find out how freedom within limits works for discipline in children.

In Conclusion

I sincerely hope you found this training to be beneficial!

Please let me know what you think in the comments section.

I’d love to hear how this has helped you, what you have planned to try, and, most importantly, what are the things that you have decided to let go of, as I suggested in point #3 of this article.

THIS IS A LIST OF THE RESOURCES THAT WERE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Books by Maria Montessori (for more information, please see the images below):

     

You might also like:

  • Starting, Planning & Teaching Montessori at Home BUNDLE of 3

    $17.00
    Add to cart
  • My Montessori Planner (50 pages)

    $12.99
    Add to cart
  • Introspective Journal for the Montessori Guide

    $9.99
    Add to cart
Authentic Montessori toys, carefully crafted to stimulate your baby's senses, can prove to be an invaluable asset in your little one's development.
10 Essential Montessori Toys for Your Baby’s First Year

3 Biggest Mistakes about Redoing your Home the Montessori Way
Come to learn about 3 positive outcomes for children in the Montessori environment that will either encourage you to try Montessori or to know that you are on the right track!
3 Positive Outcomes for Children in the Montessori Environment
In this training, let's get you excited (or even more excited) about doing Montessori by noticing and fixing 3 signs that you need more Montessori knowledge.
3 signs that you need more Montessori knowledge
  • As new parents, Montessori guides, and caregivers, understanding why Montessori matters from birth can pave the way for fostering a lifelong love of learning and holistic development in children.
    Why Montessori Matters from Birth: The Impact on Infant Development
    As new parents, Montessori guides, and caregivers, understanding why Montessori matters from birth can pave the way for fostering a lifelong love of learning and holistic development in children.
  • Transitioning your nursery to Montessori is easier than you think. Simply follow the 3 main tips that I will give you here and you will have a Montessori nursery for your little one in no time!
    Transitioning Your Nursery to Montessori: A Smooth and Effective Approach
    Transitioning your nursery to Montessori is easier than you think. Simply follow the 3 main tips that I will give you here and you will have a Montessori nursery for your little one in no time!
  • I got to see it in practice and was fascinated. That is when I started to research what Dr. Maria Montessori is best known for.
    What Dr. Maria Montessori is Best Known For
    I got to see it in practice and was fascinated. That is when I started to research what Dr. Maria Montessori is best known for.
  • Applying Montessori principles at home is wonderful. You and your baby will love it.
    Embracing Montessori Principles at Home during Baby’s First Year
    Applying Montessori principles at home is wonderful. You and your baby will love it.
  • Understanding the life cycle the Montessori way is an essential aspect of teaching children about nature and their environment.
    The Life Cycle the Montessori Way
    Understanding the life cycle the Montessori way is an essential aspect of teaching children about nature and their environment.
  • Fostering independence from birth is possible and before you think it means letting your baby "tough it out," read on to find out what that really means.
    The Montessori Baby: Fostering Independence from Birth
    Fostering independence from birth is possible and before you think it means letting your baby “tough it out,” read on to find out what that really means.

Spread the love

June 16, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Previous Post: « Reasons to Love Montessori
Next Post: I want to do Montessori, but I don’t know where to start! A 5-Part Series »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Join our Facebook Group!

Join our email list!

Recent posts

  • Why Montessori Matters from Birth: The Impact on Infant Development
  • Transitioning Your Nursery to Montessori: A Smooth and Effective Approach
  • What Dr. Maria Montessori is Best Known For

Recent Episodes

  • Episode 68: The Importance of Montessori Parenting
  • Episode 67: How to Teach Addition using the Montessori Method
  • Episode 64: Montessori books that you must have (Part 2)

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • About me
  • Work with Me
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 · Master the Montessori Life

x