The Three Levels of Obedience and their Significance

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The Three Levels of Obedience and their Significance

“Obedience is seen as something which develops in the child in much the same way
as other aspects of his character. At first it is dictated purely by the hormic impulse, then it
rises to the level of consciousness, and thereafter it goes on developing, stage by stage, till it
comes under the control of the conscious will”1

A) First level of obedience usually refers to children between one and a half and three and a
half years old. The child is driven by ​horme​, much of his behavior is impulsive and his will is
still undeveloped. At this level the child sometimes obeys and sometimes not. The child will
obey only to directions that are directly related to his vital needs.

The adult that is in contact with a child who is in first level of obedience must give directions
that match the positive impulse of the moment as well as avoid giving directions he knows the
child can’t follow. He should help the child who is developing to realize he is capable of
following directions, for example as the child is slowly starting to sit down, ask him if he can
please sit down.

B) Second level of obedience happens usually between three and four years old when the
child has somewhat developed his will and can usually follow directions. The child in this
stage “can absorb another person’s wishes and express them in his own behaviour”2, he is
conscious of his actions and develops his control to obey. He is very cooperative with adults
but the adult must be very careful not to give directions the child can’t follow. This is the level
of obedience most traditional teachers aim for.

C) ​Third level of obedience happens usually after five years old when the will reaches its last
stage of development and now the child looks forward to directions from cherished adults.
“Not only does the child become enthusiastic about carrying out the command of the teacher,
but he also desires that the teacher should command him to do still more difficult things, to
give him more than he already possesses”3.