Why freedom within limits works 

Freedom and boundaries are a cornerstone of learning and life at Melbourne Montessori College – and they are important at home, too.

To let the child do as he likes when he has not yet developed any powers of control is to betray the idea of freedom

-Dr Maria Montessori

Each day in classrooms at Melbourne Montessori College, students enjoy freedom within limits. The principle underpins many of the activities and learning experiences and Montessori educators say it’s an important concept for families to continue at home, too.

“Imagine a river running without defined banks. The water will disperse in all directions, lacking direction and purpose. In the same way, children need clear boundaries at school and at home to help guide their development.  These limits foster independence, responsibility and self-discipline,” explains Yasmin Chetty, Cycle 3 Leader.

“In the Montessori classroom, students are encouraged to make choices and to take ownership of their learning. However, this autonomy exists within a carefully prepared environment, supported by consistent routines and clear expectations.”

Managing time and workload

In Cycles 2 and 3, students use a journal to plan their daily activities. They are encouraged to take ownership of their learning by selecting tasks and managing their own time effectively, based on the lessons they have been given. There is an expectation that students want to work and learn.

Rather than completing subjects in a fixed order, such as mathematics followed by science or geography, students create their own schedules and are guided by a clear understanding of learning expectations. The more independence the child has the more freedom they are afforded. When they are less able to make choices, their guide will provide more boundaries.

In Cycle 1 (Years 3 – 6), children are encouraged to choose work that genuinely interests them to foster independence and a love of learning. As they engage with the materials, they are given freedom to explore, make mistakes and learn at their own pace.

“At the same time, each child is expected to develop respect for the environment and for the materials they use, and to interact with others with courtesy and care, ” explains Cycle 1 Leader, Manojini Gamage.

“This approach nurtures responsibility, concentration and mutual respect within a carefully prepared environment.”

A culture of respect

“In the Montessori environment, we guide children in learning how to interact respectfully with others by modelling and encouraging the use of polite language such as  ‘excuse me, please’ and ‘thank you’. Children are also taught how to seek help appropriately by asking politely and then patiently waiting for a response. Grace and courtesy are fundamental to the Montessori approach, and it is essential that both educators and parents consistently model these behaviours,” says Manojini.

She says that while freedom of choice is a key element of the Montessori method, offering too many options, especially to younger children, can lead to confusion and being overwhelmed. For this reason, Montessori classrooms are intentionally calm, orderly and free from unnecessary distractions. This thoughtful environment helps promote clarity, balanced choices and focused exploration.

“At home, parents can support this by offering limited, meaningful choices,” suggests Manojini.

“For example, if it’s going to be cold, allow your child to choose between their red jumper or green jumper. For breakfast, offer two options such as toast or cereal. These small choices support independence without causing decision fatigue.”

Similarly, in the Montessori environment, children are given the freedom to choose whether to work at a table or a mat on the floor.  They learn that each workspace, particularly a mat on the floor, represents another child’s personal working area and must be respected.  Walking around a mat, rather than across it, becomes a natural part of classroom behaviour and fosters an understanding of personal boundaries and mutual respect.

Respecting other people and their possessions and space is also important for parents to reinforce at home when considering freedom within limits.

A guiding hand and mind

Cycle 2 Leader, Melinda Kan, says freedom doesn’t mean abandoning a child to their own devices, but instead helping them to build their knowledge and experience with guidance.

“In Cycle 2 children take on new responsibilities like caring for plants and animals and older children run meetings and attend leadership workshops. Every class has a responsibility chart that guides the children to caring for their classroom,” says Melinda.

Inevitably, there are misunderstandings and when disrespect occurs within the classroom, Melinda says adults need to step in to guide without blame.

“There needs to be a conversation with the children about what has happened and how they can resolve the conflict. The guide facilitates mediation and then redirects the children,” she says.

Consistent boundaries are key

Consequences when limits are overstepped or disrespected are important at school and at home so children can understand the importance of taking responsibility.

“But consequences should never be used as a form of punishment or to diminish a child’s will. Instead, it’s important to engage the child in a respectful conversation about the situation and to work together to find a constructive way to address and resolve the issue,” says Yasmin.

“Consistent boundaries are key — think of them like a traffic light. Everyone stops when the light is red, slows down when it is amber and goes when the light is green. If people didn’t follow that rule, imagine the chaos! It is the same in a home or classroom where children don’t follow clear rules and boundaries.”

A lifetime of benefits

Growing up in a classroom and home that values the principle of freedom within limits benefits a child when they are young and as they grow into adulthood.

“They know how to live life to the fullest,” says Yasmin.

“They know how to manage time, they don’t get upset when they make mistakes, they are resilient, respectful and responsible and they become confident leaders. This is something schools and families can help children become together.”

How parents can support freedom within limits at home

Parents can reinforce Montessori values, including that of freedom within limits, by helping children understand and respect personal space and belongings within the home environment. For example, families can create designated areas for activities such as a special rug or table for puzzles, drawing, or reading and encourage children to treat these spaces with care. Just as children learn to walk around a classmate’s mat in the classroom, they can be guided to respect other people’s workspaces at home by not interrupting or disturbing a sibling’s activity.

Parents can also model respectful behaviour by acknowledging and maintaining personal boundaries, for instance, asking before borrowing items or entering a child’s room. These small, consistent actions help children internalise the importance of mutual respect and responsibility, bridging the values of the Montessori classroom and freedom within limits, with everyday life at home.