For a long time, it was believed that education consisted mainly of teaching children to obey. Today, although rules and limits remain fundamental, educators and child development experts emphasize that they are not enough, alone, to prepare children and adolescents for the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives. The world requires people capable of thinking, deciding, cooperating, solving problems and acting responsibly. And these skills don't suddenly appear in adolescence or just in professional life. They begin to be built in childhood, through small everyday choices. Choosing how to organize school supplies, trying to resolve a conflict with a colleague, taking on a task at home or looking for a solution before asking for help are apparently simple situations, but they can contribute to the development of trust and responsibility. It is in this context that one of the most important words in contemporary education emerges: autonomy. Contrary to what many people imagine, being autonomous does not mean doing what you want, when you want. It also does not mean growing up without limits or without adult guidance. True autonomy is built when the child learns, gradually and according to their age, to think for themselves, reflect on their choices, take responsibility and understand the consequences of their actions. Contemporary studies and discussions on education and child development reinforce the importance of offering children opportunities to actively participate in the learning process. Along this path, the role of adults does not disappear. On the contrary: parents and educators act as references, offering guidance, security and limits so that the child develops new skills progressively. EMAK Disclosure School and family therefore play a fundamental role in this process. Through the pedagogical intentionality of its educators, the school can provide everyday experiences that favor the development of autonomy. Some of them, such as the collective construction of rules and agreements and participation in decisions through assemblies, allow children to understand that rules do not exist just to be obeyed, but to promote well-being and respectful coexistence among everyone. Another important aspect is the opportunity to assume responsibilities compatible with each age group. Organizing materials, taking care of your own belongings, fulfilling agreements, participating in conflict resolution and reflecting on the consequences of your attitudes are experiences that contribute to the development of responsibility and self-regulation. In practice, this learning happens every day and, often, in situations that go unnoticed by adults. “At Escola EMAK, we believe that autonomy is built daily, in different learning and coexistence situations. It is present when the student is encouraged to look for solutions to a problem before receiving a ready answer; when you are invited to argue and justify your ideas; when you learn to work in a group, respecting different opinions; or when actively participating in the construction of an environment guided by respect and cooperation", highlights the school's spokesperson, in an official statement. This process requires adults to do something that is not always simple: allowing the child to face small challenges with support and security, without anticipating answers or resolving all the difficulties for them. It is common, for example, that parents and guardians, in an attempt to protect their children or make the routine easier, end up carrying out tasks that the children themselves could already begin to perform. Although this attitude is understandable, offering time and space for them Trying to find solutions is also part of the educational process. After all, learning to decide involves making choices, facing small frustrations, making mistakes, reflecting and trying again. In this process, autonomy should not be confused with the absence of limits. Children need guidance and clear references. Autonomy also helps them become more responsible students. participatory and capable of taking an active role in the learning process itself. More than teaching ready-made answers, families and schools can help children develop tools to face new situations, make decisions and understand that their choices also have an impact on the people around them. Because, in the future, our children will not be defined only by what they learn to repeat, but by their ability to think, decide and act responsibly in the face of situations that life presents to them.