Blog

Encouraging Independence in Your Child

The journey that a child takes towards independence is a huge part of the Montessori education. The easiest way to help children master everyday tasks is to teach them as separate skills through the activities of Practical Life. A child who has done the Dressing Frames will be much deft with real-life dressing activities. The same is true for pouring, scooping, stirring, sweeping, and so on. Learning these tasks as “work” means that the child is ready to apply them to real life situations whenever necessary.
In our classroom – Independence is:

A need, a natural urge, a vital life force, comes from an internal drive
Removing barriers (obstacles) to natural development
Always age appropriate, starts from birth
Continuous activity, constant effort
Physical and spiritual
Skill development
Empowerment
Accomplishment
Self satisfying
Self discipline
Self expression
Freedom
Following the child
Observing the child to meet their developmental needs
A prepared environment
Trust in the child and trust in the environment
Confidence
Pride
Love
Respect
Growth
Individual
Dynamic

Independence is not:
Rushed, hurried
Forced
Static
Fast
Limited
Tidy or clean

“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” Maria Montessori