The independence of boys and girls from the Montessori vision says that during childhood human individuality is built, the child asks that we allow him to achieve his achievements, that we allow him to "do things for himself."
Independence means that the organism can subsist and function without the immediate help of others and this is the result of the acquisition of new functions. It implies acting as a separate entity.
Without independence, freedom is not achieved.
The child from birth seeks that independence, first when he can breathe by himself at the moment of birth since he no longer needs the umbilical cord, and thus the child is making continuous achievements of independence in his development.
At birth, the child becomes independent of its mother. At 6 months or so, the child's stomach secretes hydrochloric acid necessary for digestion. After this, he will start to crawl, later to walk and will become more independent thanks to the development of his functions.
When the child begins to speak, he will be able to express himself and will not need the adult to guess his needs.
This is why we say that during childhood human individuality is built, the child asks that we allow him to achieve his achievements, that we allow him to "do things for himself."
María Montessori said "Any unnecessary help is an obstacle to the development of the child"
Tips to help as a father and mother to facilitate the independence of your children
- Respect the rhythm of each child and guide him according to his rhythm towards independence.
- The child must be able to reach everything they need to care for themselves, that is, the objects that the child needs for their care must be within their reach and these objects must be in accordance with their abilities.
- As adults, we have to give the child the tasks of how to do things by breaking them down into sequences of simple steps.
- It is our task to give the child the interest point of a task.
- That the shelves and drawers are at the height of the child.
- That the game area is not plagued by many things but that things rotate.
- Return things to their place once used.Return things to their place once used.
- Do not do things for the child, as well as not put things on the child that are beyond him.
- Whenever the child is ready, allow the child to help take care of the house.
- Help your child solve his own challenges.
- Talk to the child about things that interest him.
- Follow the interests of the child.
- If your child is starting to read and only says the first letter, let the child express what they already know and point it out.
- If your child already writes, let him write notes, make his birthday list.
- The key is to listen to the child, not talk about him.
- You have to understand that the child may be tired at a specific time.
- Awakening the child's learning depends on you as a parent.
In this way, studying the Montessori philosophy leads to many important points of our being and our assets.
Original text by Elena Merina, Original article