Freedom of Movement

Maria Montessori was a champion for advocating children and movement. In an era where children were meant to be seen and not heard, standing in line quietly, sitting still in one spot, and learning what was in front of them, she was a pioneer for education and movement. Has education actually reformed from these archaic expectations? I think not.

Scientifically, Maria Montessori said it well: “Children develop their brains as well as their bodies through movement, and in the process of concentration, self-discipline, and perseverance with an active interest, the foundations of character are laid. To give our children a fine start in life we must see that their surroundings satisfy their need for activity and development, remembering at the same time that our own part is not that of instructor and interferer but of helper and friend. ”

Movement is essential to all humans and living creatures. Essential. It is unnatural to expect otherwise.

I am not saying there is not a time and a place for the ability to sit still and quiet. It is an important skill to develop through isolated exercises and intentionality. Creating a “Sit Spot” for example, as we do in our Wilderness Warriors class, is an intentional exercise for a child (or adult). “Sit Spots” are a place chosen by the individual that can be a place to retreat in order to calm the senses and the body and reset. Nothing else is expected of the child except to focus on calmness.

Building stillness as a skill is a good thing. Intentional exercises carry over to other areas of life, learning, and self regulation.

I most note, however, being still and quiet does not mean a child is regulated!

Learning will occur in a child that has reached an open door, in their own development. Maria Montessori referred to this time as Sensitive Periods. It is through trusting in God’s Perfect Design that we allow the child the opportunity to learn academics at the best possible time for them, not the standardized checklists that seem to loom in every classroom.

Through the freedom of movement, children naturally show us what their needs are. As parents and educators, if we are observing and paying attention, we can catch the sensitive periods of learning and offer learning opportunities that stick. The opposition is restriction. And restriction causes anxiousness. Have you heard of “After School Restraint Collapse?” Oh… that will be the topic of my next blog post. It is in fact, one of my biggest reasons for opening a school based on movement. Stay tuned, friends!