Will is related to our capacity to make choices. Will is crucial in the child’s process of self-construction. The child develops their observation skills, an awareness of life, and the desire to interact with their environment. During infancy (birth-3 years old) synaptic neural connections rapidly develop in the brain and the psychic organs are integrated: movement, intelligence, and will.
How can we protect the child’s capacity to make decisions, observe, and explore?
- Remove Obstacles
- Do not interrupt
- Use simple and concise words/phrasing
- Nature Walks
Also, offer logical consequences. For example, your toddler wants to bring their toy to school: “If you bring your toy to school, all your friends will want to hold it. Are you okay with that? Can you share? If you can share, great. However, if you can not share, are you leaving the toy at home or in the car?” Allow your child to experience the consequence of their choice. This enables the child to develop trust of the adults in their life and transfer this trust to the world.
The child’s will evolves into a self-disciplined adolescencent who makes confident decisions. The teenager will be able to move into the next step of life. Emotionally independent and willing to forgive and forget. The young adult will live fully in the present.
- Make choices based on an understanding they have developed over time
- Responsibility of their choices
- Freedom
- Independence
The Montessori School of Essex 