HV. 53 .

Nguyễn Vũ T Cẩm Thạch INDEPENDENCE

(11/1/2018) “Independence really constitutes a succession of
conquests. We cannot possess it completely at birth,
but we can acquire it bit by bit as we gain new
functions, capacities, and powers of adaption. Thus,
at all the various and successive stages of
development, independence is a valid guide of
education”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Principles and practices in Education

1. The path to independence

- An the efforts of growth ere effortsts to acquire independence. A matter of vital importance to an individual is that he should be able to function by himself
- From beginning of life, from the moment he is capable things
Independence is defined as the ability to perform and think by oneself or for oneself without being burden to anyone else.
Independence is a state or condition to word towards therefore it requires knowledge and skill. Experiences are constructed that serve the purose of
independence. Since these experiences are created from the child own activities it is personal, therefore it supports the creation of our unique personality. We are
each an original
“Happiness is not the whole aim of education. A man must be independent in his powers and character; able to work and assert his mastery over all that depends
on him.” (The Absorbent Mind, p. 170)
“Under the urge of nature and according to the laws of development, though not understood by the adult, the child is obliged to be serious about two fundamental
things … the first is the love of activity… The second fundamental thing is independence.” (What You Should Know About Your Child, Chapter 3, p. 11)
2. The way to raise an dependent child
- Understand there will be mistakes: are a part of learning. If you embarrass the child or shame them for making a mistake, you are damaging their will to
learn. They will not be eager learners if they feel like they will be ridiculed or shamed for making a mistake. Why is it a mistake and how can they avoid it in the
future? This will help them understand the task and how it should be done.
- Do not expect perfection: be error friendly, do not talking about mistakes. Encourage the correct behavior and you will receive it.
- Prepare the environment: One of the main premises of Montessori is the prepared environment. In order for a child to be successful, you must prepare the
environment. Are materials readily accessible to the child for the task which you are assigning? Does the environment foster independence? Can a child move
from task to task in a safe manner with all the tools readily accessible? Create an accessible environment (School/ home)
- Allow ample space for learning: Both physical and emotional space. In order for a child to be independent, they must be independent. A child cannot be
independent if we are always there staring over her shoulder, or breathing down her neck. She will get back up on her own too.
- Guide, do not instruct, and do not interrupt: Show the activity, and then let the child work on her own. Give her space to make those mistakes, and to
practice. Do not interrupt her work to correct her. A child’s uninterrupted work cycle is one of the most important pieces of Montessori education. It is during
this uninterrupted work cycle where the exploration and the most learning occur.
- Make time
- Show your child daily activities that lead to independence . Independent choice powerfull
4. How can we support the child’s path towards independence
Birth – 6 years
FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE
- Birth – 1 year: Breathe; eat; move
- 1 year – 3 years:
Walking, running, climbing, language,
body language, dress, attend…
+ Eating : establish healthy eating
habits early on, Create a kitchen that is
eccessible for your child, show your
chirld how to prepare food
+ Dressing: Create an environment
where the child can dress, show the
child how o choose the clothes, offer
time for the child to choose and dress
+ Sleeping: a place to sleep, bedtime
routine, Bath time
+ Toilet learning: Layiing the
foundation of independence in toilet
learning, transition from nappies to
pants, dressing for independence in
toilet learning
- 3 years – 4 ½ years : using word;
cook using kitchen, explosion
vocabulary, personal care
- 4 ½ years – 6 years: Social ,
compassion, symbolic language,
writing, reading
6 years – 12 years 12 years - 18 years 18 years - 24 years
INTELLECTUAL INDEPENDENCE EMOTIONAL ECONOMIC
INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE
- The children to grow towards intellectual dependence - Venture out from the safe
as they are no longer sensorial learner but possess the confines of home and school. - Getting your own
reasoning mind and the power of imagination and apartment and moving out
abstraction - To be able to master your of the family house
- Since they are physically more independent and emotions as not to be ruled by - Being able to support
healthier they enjoy going outdoors to do denpendent them yourself and having to live
research to find the answers to their questions with your own decisions
- Applying movement to sports - There is a two fold role: Needs - They know their place in
- More dependen in process of confict resolution understanding from the transition the world now
- Be able to read and learn and to express themselves of child to an adult and needs the - Decide on a career to
through writing protection as she wants to be invest their skills,
- Researchers and find the answers adult. To be a patient Choosing a mate and
- Understanding justice and role of laws starting a family
- Going out community - Independent in sustaining a - If these levels of
- Apply mathematical skill to solve problem responsible relationship with dependence is not gained
- Telling time and being able to plan out their own another person. then it builds itself up.
chedules Contribute to the well
- Understand their place in universe - To think and make choices being of the whole
- Learn basic of algebra and geometry pertinent to themselves which personality
- At this time children step out of their family settings needs opportunities and Allow the child to
and lock towards the community. The family provides experience the consequences. participate to whatever
care and love with limits. extend the child is capble
- Create original literature and representational art word of within the community
- Able to travel alone .
- The ability to choose your friends and form friendships Provide cultural identity,
- They work together as team and experience which helps develop
- Ability to set goals and pursue
interdependence. individual identity
them.
- Children need to be supported to strive for Allow children to help
independence in conflict resolution and in caring for the each order through the
environment. - Hopefully the independence of sharing of knowledge, skill
value of money. and tasks