3 Most Important Questions & Answers in Montessori

Why is freedom important to the child?

Through the freedom given in a Montessori environment, the child has a unique opportunity to reflect upon his own actions, to determine their consequences both for himself and for others, to test himself against the limits of reality, to learn what gives him a sense of fulfillment and what leaves him empty and dissatisfied, and to discover both his capabilities and his shortcomings.

Why are there real life materials in the environment?

The Montessori classroom has its basis in reality and nature. The child must have the opportunity to internalize the limits of nature and reality if he is to be free from his fantasy and illusions, both psychological. Only in this way can he develop self- discipline and security he needs to explore his external and internal worlds and to become an active and appreciative observer of life so as to reflect the real world.

Why does competition not encourage in a Montessori school?

Competition is not encouraged in a Montessori school because each child is an individual and they should be encouraged to work at the pace and not competition with each other. Children should work with freedom according to their development milestone. We do not grade our children with score or rank, we do encourage children by praising their hard work.

If you have any questions, feel free to write a comment. We will talk about the problems in our next post.

To learn more, visit http://ageofmontessori.org/montessori-and-freedom-of-choice/