In addition to creating a sleep haven, the Montessori method also emphasizes the use of other sleep-promoting techniques, such as establishing a consistent bedtime routine, using calming activities before bed, and ensuring the child's physical needs (such as a luxurious mattress and appropriate clothing) are met.
It has a few variations that involve leaving the child to self-soothe or cry until they fall asleep, with or without adult supervision. It usually is carried out from 4 months of age, in an attempt by parents to encourage the baby to start sleeping by themselves through the night.
Many Montessori families choose to cosleep and nurse to sleep. An overarching principle of Montessori that can be applied to sleep is “follow the child.” In Montessori, we are encouraged to give as much help as necessary and as little as needed. This requires observation of the individual child.
However, each child is unique and has their own sleep requirements that might be more or less than the norm. Montessori preschool students often have a nap in the middle of the day, while a Montessori kindergarten will shed the nap to spend more time exploring.
The Montessori method suggests that children learn best in an environment that has been prepared to enable them to do things for themselves. Always child-centred, the learning environment should promote freedom for children to explore materials of their choice.
In a Montessori school classroom, movement is built into the work and into the lessons so that children do not spend long periods of time sitting still. For example, the work of “Golden Beads” requires that students make multiple trips to the “bank” to fetch the golden beads that they need to do their math problem.
Like with most other Montessori-powered approaches, the floor bed allows the child to explore and move around independently- something that cannot be done when the child is in a crib.
The Montessori approach encourages providing opportunities for children to experience the freedom of movement, respect, and independence. Allowing your child to sleep in a floor bed is a great way to reinforce these same learning processes at home.
Even before your child is born, you can set up a prepared environment in the nursery and gather Montessori materials. For that reason, many believe that it is never too early or too late to begin with Montessori education. Self-directed learning methods can be used at any point in time, no matter the age of the child.
The Montessori method has some drawbacks including the lack of consistent quality implementation, difficulty in transitioning to higher education, and high tuition.
You may or may not already know, but Montessori schools discourage the introduction of fantasy to young children (children under the ages of 5 or 6). This means we do not use play kitchens, have a dress-up area in the classroom, or rely on books with dragons and fairies.
No pacifier/dummy - This comes from our need to find the cause of the child's distress or discomfort rather than to use a device to 'pacify' the child - and allowing it to become a habit.
Though sleep training is a bit harder after your toddler has turned 1, it's still very possible, though you'll want to start while she's still a year old rather than waiting until she's 2 if you can, since bedtime habits are harder to break the older your child gets.
One of the most iconic and well known parts of using Montessori at home has to be the floor bed. Maria Montessori was very clear that small babies and children should not be sleeping in a crib, but on a low small bed on the floor. This gives babies and toddlers much more freedom of movement than is typically seen.
4.5-5.5 Months. Most experts recommend sleep training around this time, when babies can make it 6 to 8 hours without feeding overnight. But keep in mind that your little one is learning that crying gets a response from you—so expect plenty of waterworks when you leave the room!
Montessori parenting can be defined as a relaxed parenting approach in which the toddlers are given ample freedom to play, work, study and learn. They are not punished for bending the rules and are respected for being themselves.
If your child is under the age of 2 years old your floor bed should be a firm crib mattress per AAP recommendations. A regular twin or full size mattress is too soft and can cause suffocation risks. The floor bed should be just a flat fitted sheet and away from the walls so that your baby can't become trapped.
As all of the playing happens in our common areas, their bedrooms are really just for reading together and sleeping. Therefore we try to keep their rooms pretty minimal in terms of toys and distractions, and completely safe for exploring.
Some parents have found it better to start with naps on the floor bed first, then transition bit by bit into nighttime sleep. If you wait until your child is older to transition to a floor bed, you might find them struggling a little bit to adjust for the first few days.
Keep unsafe items out of reach or in baby-proofed cabinets, while leaving other shelves and drawers open with toys or safe household items for them to explore. If they need to climb, provide safe furniture, cushions, or climbing toys that you can redirect them to.
I've found that Montessori is suitable for all children. The materials offer opportunities to learn visually, aurally, kinaesthetically (through touch) and verbally, and thus easily accessible to children who learn in different ways.
Montessori is based on being peaceful and accepting of others. Montessori children learn how to interact with peers and adults in a respectful and caring manner. The curriculum also includes learning about and understanding other cultures. You're helping them to feel confident in themselves…
Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process.