Don’t you think the amount of freedom given in a Montessori House of Children will complicate life for adults at home?
If the child enjoys so much freedom of movement and freedom of choice in a Montessori House of Children, don’t you think this would make him difficult to manage at home as he would like to do things on his own even at home and thereby come in the way of adults?
It is true that it will not be possible to create conditions at home to provide as much freedom of movement and choice for the child as it is done in a Montessori House of Children. This is one of the reasons why the child should get the opportunity of living in the House of Children for a part of the day.
At the same time, let us also not forget that the freedom he enjoys here is not unlimited. It will necessarily and naturally be limited by the needs of the other 30-35 children who are also living here and who also have the same rights to freedom as he has. The other children help him realize soon enough that he cannot enjoy his freedom without at the same time respecting the rights of others to enjoy similar freedom.
Besides, various interesting developmental activities related to social behaviour are presented to him. These also help him to show due consideration towards the rights of others living with him.
Even the freedom with regard to the choice of activities, as we saw, has certain limits. Because he is free to choose to perform an activity only from among those activities that have been presented to him and on condition that the material for that activity be found in its place-which means that he cannot just take away something from somebody who has chosen it earlier but must wait till it is kept back in its place before taking for his activity.
So, we need not be afraid that as a result of enjoying freedom in the House of Children, he will assert his freedom unreasonably at home. This has been amply proved in homes understanding the child and familiar with the Montessori Method which is indeed applicable in the home as well. We must however admit that he does need more opportunities and help that is usually available to “do things on his own” even at home and first of all at home. If he gets these opportunities and help, his “doing things on his own” need not come in the way of adults at all.
Tags: choice, developmental activities, freedom of movements, Montessori house of children, respecting the rights, social behaviour