Is Montessori against cribs? Maria Montessori said that children should have their beds low to the floor so they can get in and out as they please. Freedom of movement is a big thing in Montessori, after all.
Why don't Montessori families use cribs? It all comes down to freedom and independence. The protective railings around the crib restrict a child's movement. Children are dependent on an adult to determine when they get in and out of the bed, and dependent on them to place them in it or remove them from it.
In Montessori we use a low bed or a floor bed which is a mattress on the floor, on a carpet, or on a base which is only slightly higher than the floor. Eventually baby moves to this bed as they transition to independent sleeping. The sleep area is should be in the darkest, quietest part of the room.
A Montessori floor bed offers a safe space e where your child can sleep, play and learn on the same level as the rest of the living space as opposed to a regular infant crib, which does not allow enough room for toddlers to crawl around and explore their new world.
Maria Montessori, believed that children thrive when given the freedom to move and learn independently. So, generally speaking, a Montessori bed is a mattress without restrictive railings around it, close enough to the floor so that the child can get in and out of it by himself.
Parents often transition their child to a Montessori bed between five and ten months, while some start as early as two months, or even from birth.
While some recommend ages as young as five to ten months when children begin to sit up and independently support their own bodies, many others suggest transitioning your child from a cot or crib to a Montessori floor bed sometime between the ages of one and three years old.
Montessori also said, however, that we should give a child, “a bed suited to his needs”. So, at the surface level, yes. Montessori is against cribs. Many, many Montessori parents choose cribs for their babies when they are in the newborn stage, however.
For babies under the age of 1, Montessori beds are a no go, since they fall outside of the safe sleep practices outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and aimed at reducing the risk of SIDS.
Montessori promotes independence so while they do not have a rule against co-sleeping, it is suggested that the child have their own room. However, Montessori believes it is important for the parent to recognize when the child wants to be in the company of adults.
Skip the Swaddle
Freedom of Movement is a key tenant to Montessori philosophy. Allowing young children to explore their body and their environment is so key to their development. A swaddle effectively eliminates the chance for a newborn to adjust to their larger environment and to work out the startle reflex.
In my Montessori training, we learned that babies should ideally not use a pacifier. So if you haven't started using one, then this is something to consider. A pacifier can be used to give the parent some quiet, when the child is actually trying to communicate their needs.
The Montessori method of sleep training is a gentle and holistic approach to helping children develop healthy sleep habits. It emphasizes independence, respect for the individual, and a supportive environment, and encourages parents to support their child as they learn to fall asleep on their own.
Why are there no plastic toys in Montessori? Montessori favours toys made from natural materials like wood, metal, cotton and glass for a few reasons. Unlike plastic, these materials inspire a connection to nature and the real world, while the different textures offer a sensory experience and encourage exploration.
All materials are arranged from left to right, top to bottom, from concrete concepts to the abstract. This arrangement on the shelves is structured so because we read from left to right, and each lesson builds on the other. One must master the first concept to move on to the next. Dr.
Most of us in the Montessori world have been cautioned not to praise children. Too much praise can lead to patterns of codependency and inadvertently teach children that their self-worth should be based on the perceptions of others.
The Montessori method has some drawbacks including the lack of consistent quality implementation, difficulty in transitioning to higher education, and high tuition. However, the Montessori method itself is not bad as this development-focused education fosters independence and a love for learning in children.
The toys that are in the bedroom need to be safe, age and developmentally appropriate, perhaps even minimal in nature as to not overwhelm the child and so the child, along with the parents can maintain a level of order.
Dr Montessori was born into the Christian (Catholic) tradition and much of her writing assumes the existence of a God with whom all people can connect and experience a personal relationship. As she travelled the globe her spiritual journey took many twists and turns, through humanist beliefs and eastern religion.
Analysing their progress at age five, Lillard found that the children who went to the Montessori school tended to have better literacy, numeracy, executive function and social skills, compared to those who had attended the other schools. And at age 12, they showed better story-telling abilities.
The Montessori Method is particularly helpful to children with ASD because of the interactive, calming, sensory, safe, and consistent environment it provides. Montessori teaching is centered on the idea that all children learn differently and at their own individual pace.
It is never too late to develop Montessori as a lifestyle. Learning about the method and implementing the routines and concepts will only benefit your family, despite the ages of the children.
You can begin at any time! Regardless of your child being 6 months or 6 years old, enrolling your child in a Montessori program can help bolster their learning experience.
8 Weeks to 18 Months
Yes, babies can be raised the Montessori way! Infants can learn so much about the world when put in a Montessori program. The focus for these younger learners is to open them up to the world, to build trust and personality, as well as give them a foundation in sensory learning.