I’m sure you know that independence is integral to Montessori education.
Remember the planes of development? In her writings, Dr. Montessori broke development down into four planes. The first plane (0-6), the second plane (6-12), the third plane (12-18), and the fourth plane (18-24). Each plane of development has a goal related to independence. The goal of the first plane of development is functional independence.
Functional independence means what it says. Children want to be functionally independent of their caregivers. They want to walk and talk for themselves. It is their goal to be masters of their environment. And it takes a prepared adult to support this quest for independence.
“An independent child can be a problem in the house. The adult in charge must have knowledge and education, must have prepared their own character and be patient and intelligently interested in the child’s development, ready to follow the child’s needs for development.” Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures.
In our classroom community, we hear from families who want to know what they can do at home to support their children in the classroom. They often ask if they should do worksheets or sign up for enrichment activities. Here is what I tell them over and over: the best way to support their children’s success in the classroom is to offer independence at home in the most basic ways. Let the children carry their own things. Let them feed themselves and clean up their spills. Let them put their pants on themselves, even if they put them on backward.
But why is this so important?
We don’t offer independence for the sake of having independent children. Functional independence supports every aspect of a child’s development. Think of all the skills supported when young children practice independence. When a child puts their own pants on, so much is happening! Think of the motor planning to get a leg into each hole. Think about the gross and fine motor skills it takes to pull that waistband over a chunky tush. Think of the satisfaction a young child feels using all of their abilities to complete a task for themselves. Now think about all a child misses out on when we step in and do simple tasks for them.
Let’s reframe independence. Instead of thinking about what we are doing for young children, let’s consider all the opportunities they miss out on with continuous adult intervention. The problem solving, the gross and fine motor refinement. All those things are strengthened when young children do everyday tasks for themselves.
“This is the secret: we must walk with the child and not the child with us. This is the practical help we can give to this very important period.” Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures.
Dr. Montessori said that when young children exhibit independence and work with all their concentration, something transformative happens inside them. She said this transformation is what will change the world. This transformation takes agitated children and transforms them into empowered human beings.