Self-Discipline is the Emphasis Rather Than Obedience in Montessori Method

Teachers associated with the Montessori Method of education help children in their learning journey, with emphasis on self-discipline. Self discipline is achieved when a child is able to make independent choices about good behavior without the need for prompting from adults.

Obedience is Different From Being Self-Disciplined
Although outwardly appearing to be similar, being obedient and being self-disciplined are different from each other. The difference lies in the intention of completing an act.

A self-disciplined child tends to complete an action without the need for anybody to keep watch. He does it because he believes this behavior is the right thing to perform. On the other hand, an obedient child follows commands or directions from parents or teachers. It exhibits a good behavior when in the presence of an adult. Motivation is different in both the cases.

Need for Moving Toward Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is an individual’s ability to exercise control over his or her behavior amid temptation. Children below the age of 7 are not capable of self-discipline; they are developmentally incapable of understanding the consequences of giving in to impulsive behavior.

Montessori schools aim at imparting in children the quality of unconditionally responding and exercising control not because they are expected or prompted to do so, but they find happiness in doing so. When handling things associated with obedience and self-discipline, it is the responsibility of the Montessori teacher to always act according to the individual child’s developmental ability to obey.

How Does the Montessori Teacher Guide Children Toward Self-Discipline?
It is the responsibility of the Montessori teacher to make the children understand that they do not have to do a thing because it is expected of them by someone. Children must be made aware that they have to do it because it is the right thing to do. Thus, children are educated to perform their activities on their own, as they feel happy to get it done.

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