Wanting to be more 'Montessori' at home but not sure where to start? Here are some swaps that you can make that align with the Montessori approach.
For part 1 of this blog, I'm going to focus on physical things you can add into your home. This might be by DIY-ing something you already have, buying something new, or buying second hand. Whatever works for your family. These swaps will be quick changes that you can make which will have fast results. None are essential to be 'Montessori', but are a great place to start if this is an approach you are drawn to.
1. Plastic Toys -> Toys made from Natural Materials
When people think of 'Montessori', often people instantly think about the wooden toys. And yes, although a very small part of the approach, Montessori does suggest that the toys and resources we should offer children should be made from natural materials. This isn't just because they often look more beautiful than plastic toys, it's also because natural materials have a weight to them, a texture, a temperature. They provide feedback to the senses through a child's sensorial exploration of the toy.
Plastic toys often don't last as long as wooden toys either, so those made from natural materials are a more sustainable choices, as well as often hold their resale value or maintain their usable condition in order to be passed onto another child.
When purchasing toys or asking for gifts, be specific with what type of resources you're brining into your home. Passive toys make active children. Aim for toys that encourage maximum engagement from your child. Avoid toys that are full of buttons and flashing lights... these will make your child become passive and expectant of something to 'entertain them' rather than them work on entertaining themselves whilst developing skills.
2. Toy Box -> Open Shelving
Toddlers in particular have a strong sense of order, liking to know that things they want and use are always there, in the same place, and that there is a set place to return an object to once finished with. This is one of the reasons why Montessori suggests using open shelving, displaying toys & resources in trays or baskets, rather than all in an enclosed/lidded toy box.
It's totally possible to use spaces/furniture that you already have around your home. You can set toys out on placemats to give them a 'spot', use a coffee table shelf, a harsh, the bottom of a bookshelf, or even just lining toys up on the floor against the wall. You needn't buy new shelving! Shallow baskets are great too. The key then is to rotate the toys - having out and accessible anything that is developmentally appropriate or loved by your child, and then storing anything that has been mastered, their not interested in or is too challenging for them at the moment. If you want to learn more about toy rotations, check out this mini guide I made on Instagram!
3. Crib/Cot -> Floor Bed
Montessori suggests that from early infancy, babies should use a floor bed rather than a crib or a cot. This could be a frame that is low to the floor with a mattress inside, or purely just a mattress on the floor as long as you hoover under it and turn it over regularly to allow for air flow.
The purpose of a baby and toddler having a floor bed is because it promotes their freedom of movement and their independence. They aren't contained and have the choice to get in and out of bed when they please. Floor beds come with other considerations that need to be made - like safety proofing the room. It's also never too late to transfer to a floor bed. We did with Isaac at 12 months. Read my blog post here to find out about our transition from cotbed to floor bed!
4. High Chair -> Weaning Table
Instead of placing your baby in a high chair, try offering their food at a weaning table. This is basically a low table and chair or stool, meaning your baby/toddler's feet can be flat on the floor.
Similarly to the reasons behind the floor bed, the use of a weaning table is to allow for that freedom of movement - getting up from the table, or sitting when they please, as well as independence - no one needs to lift them in or out of the chair. Small tables and chairs also allow your child to practise self discipline eg. sitting whilst eating rather than wandering around the room.
Weaning tables aren't necessary, but they are a great addition to a Montessori home. Highchairs such as the Stokke Tripp Trapp are a good half-way compromise as they allow for your little one to be seated right up to the table, just like we do as adults.
5. Play Pen -> 'Yes Space'
Following on from the 'Freedom of Movement' with the weaning table and floor bed, getting rid of play pens is another way of being more Montessori. Providing your child with as big of a space as possible for them to move and explore in is SO beneficial for the development. This could be a corner of a room with a play mat and their toy shelves, it could be a whole room, or to go full Montessori, the whole house!
The aim is to create a 'Yes Space' that is completely safe and suitable for your child to be independent in their exploration and play in. This not only helps your baby/toddler to avoid the stress of being told 'no'/'don't touch that' all the time, but also removes that stress for you!
Handy tip: Get down on your tummy/knees to view the space or room(s) from baby/toddler height to really make sure everything in the environment is safe.
6. Plastic Cups & Cutlery -> Glass Cups & Metal Cutlery
Have you ever tried to eat your meal with a plastic fork? How effective was it compared to when you use metal cutlery?
Montessori suggests that we should provide children with metal cutlery, suitable for their hand size, as well as glass cups - again, suitable for their size. This is due to both allowing children to practise skills they need in order to eat and drink with less frustration, but also so that they learn natural consequences. If your child throws a plastic cup, chances are it'll bounce on the floor and be undamaged. However, if they throw a glass, it'll most likely break. Therefore they naturally learn to take care of their things if they want to use them.
If glass makes you nervous to begin with, try making the swap to natural materials such as bamboo, rather than plastic.
7. Fantasy/Un-realistic Books -> Realistic Books
For children in the first plane of development, 0-6 years, it is vital that we ground them in reality in order to support them in understanding the world and to help them mentally organise their environment.
Choose books that feature photographs or images that are as realistic as possible, offering both non-fiction and fiction books that feature storylines linked to happenings in everyday life.
Try and find books that incorporate different cultures too!
8. Tight, 'Fashionable' Clothing -> Unrestrictive Clothing
Yet again, here I am talking about Freedom of Movement. Have you picked up that it is something that is SO important for babies and toddlers? From birth, your baby will be making connections and working on coordinating their movement. They'll go through tonnes of transitional phases, as well as key milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, cruising and walking! It's important as parents to ensure that we allow of our child to get into the positions they need to independently - meaning we need to ensure that they're wearing appropriate clothing to do so.
Avoid jeans and other 'fashionable' items of clothing that don't allow for full leg and hip movement. The same with trainers and baby shoes. Barefoot is best. Did you know that babies actually need to use their toes to get into position for movement such as crawling? Therefore having them barefoot allows for this. When your little one starts crawling, avoid clothing items such as dresses which may get caught under them. Great options are leggings and t-shirts, or footless onesies!
9. Baby Containers -> Floor Time!
We live in a consumer driven culture where we are made to think that we NEED baby rockers, bouncers, swings, jumperoos etc., otherwise how could we possibly ever put our baby down or get anything done? Of course, sometimes baby containers such as baby swings are great in the early days when you're trying to get your newborn to settle or nap - they might be something that work for your family whilst you're coping through the transition to parenthood. However, they are something that the Montessori approach suggests against, and therefore are something you could consider phasing out if you are wanting to make the commitment to being 'more Montessori' at home.
The reason behind not using baby containers again comes back to that Freedom of Movement which is so crucial for both babies and toddlers. Putting your baby on the floor (on a mat if you prefer), is so beneficial for their gross motor development. In the early months, this won't be for long at all... however, as your baby gets older, the more time they can spend down on the floor, the better!
As said at the beginning of this blog post, none of these swaps are essential. However, they are great steps to take if you are wanting to 'Montessori-fy' your home that little bit more!
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