What is the Montessori Concept of Freedom? Freedom is a prerequisite condition for learning. Freedom is a goal, not a starting point. A free child (or adult) is one who has developed his/her potential and prefers to work out problems for him or herself, but is capable of asking for and receiving direction when necessary. An undisciplined and unsettled child (or adult) is not free, but is a slave to his/her immediate desires and is excessively dependent on others. (Whether parent, teacher, wife, or husband) The free child, of course grows into a free adult. Freedom within the classroom means, that the child is free to move about the room at will, to talk to other children, to work with any equipment whose purpose the child understands, or to ask the teacher to introduce new material to him/her. The child is not free to disturb other children at work or abuse the equipment that is so important to his/her development. Montessori allows each child to develop skills as they become ready for them at their own pace.