The First Steps to Montessori at Home for Infants

The Montessori approach is child-led and self-paced. Teachers do not play the role of an instructor, rather they are a guide. A Montessori teacher offers knowledge as it applies to the child’s pace and demonstrates leadership. They create an enriched and nurturing environment that fosters the child’s natural growth.

Take this approach as you develop a Montessori infant room that suits your child’s individual growth. Your goal is to follow as a guide in your infant’s growth, not to lead. Provide them with the proper Montessori infant environment and observe your child develop.

What is a Montessori Infant?

In Montessori theory an infant should have freedom, support, space to ask questions, investigate their environment, and make connections about the world through play.

A Montessori Baby Is:

Confident
Independent
Curious
Excited to learn
Self-directed
Calm
Comfortable in their environment
Feels safe and secure

As you consider how to create this tranquil space, ask yourself some questions about each element you want to incorporate, including:

Will this encourage a natural opportunity for growth?

Is this going to foster Montessori learning for infants?

Are these toys going to inspire creativity and curiosity?

How do you Raise a Montessori Child?

Your child’s space should be Montessori friendly. This approach can extend to any part of the home as well. Here you can see how to develop a Montessori bathroom!

As your child develops, space will evolve with them.

Montessori Infant Bedroom

Think simple, minimal, and calming. This space should be entirely baby proof. That way you can allow them full independence to explore.

Elements of a Montessori Infant Bedroom

A floor bed
A mobile
Child-sized furniture
Natural materials: wood, cotton, fabric, bamboo, no plastic
Horizontal mirror attached to the wall
Low and open shelving
Low pictures on the wall
Light, natural, calm colors
Accessible toys
Everything at a child’s height
Space to move
A reading nook

Montessori Baby Toys

As you are creating this Montessori space be sure the toys suit the calm environment you have developed. Here is a collection of my favorite Montessori toys.

Montessori toys are designed to grow with your child. Your infant will start exploring and develop more intricate and imaginative play with the same toys as they get older.

ELEMENTS OF MONTESSORI INFANT TOYS

Natural materials: wood, cotton, fabric, not plastic
Toys are placed in child-accessible locations
Natural and calm colors
Simple
Encourage gross motor development
Mimic the adult world

I’ve written a list of my favorite Montessori infant toys, check it out!

Montessori Infant Bed

Low beds and floor beds are popular amongst Montessori parents, often being chosen over cribs. A crib was traditionally used to keep the infant confined in their bed.

I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sit right with me. Being confined to their crib is supposed to promote sleeping, but does it promote self-regulated sleeping?

As long as your infant’s bedroom is baby proof you may find a floor bed to be an optimal solution for your Montessori infant care plan.

BENEFITS OF A FLOOR BED

Promote movement
Self-regulation
Freedom
Independence
Circadian rhythm regulation
Self-construction
Exploration