In a Montessori environment, the goal for children at any age is independence. Dr. Maria Montessori envisioned a world where we live in harmony and are mutually reliant on one another. Still, she recognized that this is only possible when individuals are able to satisfy their own needs first. Montessori saw independence as a continuous conquest and defined growth as reaching successive levels of independence.
Young children have an inner drive to meet their own needs yet adults and the environment are often obstacles in their journey. Children need a strong emotional foundation and carefully prepared environment to develop independence. Recently, I gave a presentation on this topic as part of our Montessori Up Close parent education series. Watch the whole presentation to get practical ideas and reduce the obstacles in your child’s path towards independence.