How to use the Montessori bed to stimulate the child's development.

Maria Montessori has offered not only an author's approach to education but also many ideas for organizing the space of a children's room. The use of a floor bed is one of the concepts. A wooden Montessori bed low to the floor allows the child to independently organize specific routine processes: time to wake up, rest, and go to bed. It also stimulates responsibility, increases self-confidence and self-esteem, and even makes kids more proactive because they can make the bed themselves, choose bed linen, decorate their bed with favorite toys, etc.

So a Montessori bed for infants is one of the best investments in the interior of a children's room, as it is also an investment in comprehensive child development. It lays the foundation for forming a confident personality from an early age and helps the kids to develop at their own pace (spoiler: when you allow this to the kids, they are often ahead of their peers in many indicators).

What does every parent need to know about Montessori philosophy and child development?

The Montessori method emphasizes the importance of allowing children to learn at their own pace through exploration, discovery, and hands-on activities. This approach also strongly emphasizes respecting the child's natural development and individual needs.

First, babies develop their senses and learn to explore the world around them with the help of movements and touches. When they become more independent and independent, they move more, develop speech, they gradually cope with more and more complex tasks. At preschool age, they socialize, interact with other people besides their parents, and learn to make friends. It is the period when babies maximally develop logic, cognitive skills, and motor skills. At each stage of development, the child needs a favorable environment that considers the child's age, characteristics, and needs. The better the space around children is organized, the easier it is for them to master new skills and the faster children develop through discoveries, research, experiments, and the first attempts at independence.

Advantages of using a Montessori bed for newborn and toddlers development

Montessori newborn bed is significantly different from an ordinary cradle, as this piece of furniture is much more functional and practical. Montessori newborn for newborns can be used not only for sleeping: it can easily be transformed into a playpen, a play area, or a bed for a toddler, adapting to the child's needs as it grows. This approach allows you to use the same bed for a long time: from birth to when the child starts attending school. But in addition to saving the family budget, such furniture has physiological and psychological benefits for your little ones.

Physiological benefits

• The Montessori infant bed is designed to be low to the ground, which improves sleep quality and reduces the risk of falls and injuries. In addition, the newborn bed is protected by rails that prevent it from accidentally rolling out.

• There is enough space inside to practice crawling and climbing skills, which improves motor development and coordination.

• When the babies grow up, they can grab the rails, learn to stand up safely, and feel confident in their strength.

Psychological benefits

• A Montessori cot stimulates children's curiosity and thirst for research because the baby can explore the surrounding space, touch, grab, and even bite it. All this also contributes to the sensors' development.

• The children learn to monitor their states and moods from an early age. It helps kids better understand their needs, such as resting when they want or waking up on their own.

In this way, the floor Montessori bed develops a child's sense of self-confidence, improves self-esteem, teaches solving problems, and contributes to the cognitive development of the little one.

How to use a Montessori cot to stimulate your child's development?

Let's start with the good news: you don't have to do anything complicated to stimulate children's development. Positive results come naturally from transitioning to a stable bed from a cradle or practicing separate sleep in a Montessori bed. The most important thing is to choose a bed that corresponds to the age, the room's features, and the baby's needs. For example, a low teepee bed is excellent for the smallest users to crawl, learn to stand up and play independently. Toddlers often like beds with low legs because they are comfortable and make children feel a little more mature and confident.

The child's development occurs naturally, thanks to the use of the Montessori bed. In particular, the coordination of movements, independence, neatness, and even such qualities as communication and speech are improved.

• The low height of the Montessori infant bed and enough space inside allow the child to crawl a lot, climb and learn to stand up and walk independently. Place soft rugs around the bed to make the area for play and development even safer.

• Gradually, the baby learns to get up on their own and, later – to make the bed and decorate it to his taste. All this helps develop self-confidence and contributes to a sense of independence and self-reliance.

• Montessori beds allow you to create a cozy corner for reading and talking with the child. It is a valuable time spent together that develops a healthy attachment pattern. At the same time, reading together and speaking in a cozy atmosphere teaches the child to listen and express his thoughts.

A bed in a children's room is not just furniture; it is an essential element of children's space that helps children grow up and learn about the world in a pleasant and loving environment. As a result, it forms a healthy and self-confident person who knows how to take care of themselves and the surrounding space, communicate, and make friends, and is fully ready to use this base in the future.

Supporting the child's development through the use of a Montessori bed

As your child grows, you should encourage him to take on more responsibility. Any actions should be demonstrated, and only then ask the child to repeat them. At the same time, create a safe space and a friendly atmosphere to support the child and stimulate his desire to explore and play independently.

What can you do?

• Make sure the bed is installed safely and securely.

• Check whether the child knows how to climb in and out of bed carefully – only after ensuring this can you leave the child alone with these tasks.

• Encourage the child to get up, dress, and fold the crib independently. Praise the little one for all the successes you notice because there can never be too much love and warmth in relationships with children.

• Make sure that the room has the baby's favorite toys and materials that correspond to the age and needs of the little one.

• And remember to talk about the rules of safe rest and play in the room. You may have to repeat the same rules many times until the child gets used to them, but the safety of the children is your primary responsibility, so be patient.

All of this will help you create a safe and supportive environment that encourages independence, autonomy, and exploration. Your little one will grow up smart, healthy, and happy by receiving the necessary help and support and developing in a stimulating and inspiring space. And that's the main thing.

Practical tips for using the Montessori bed

1. Choosing the right Montessori bed

When choosing a Montessori bed, consider the child's age, needs, and preferences, as well as the size of the room. According to international standards, children's beds are made of natural materials and covered with non-toxic or varnishes. It is a mandatory condition because it is about the baby's health.

As for design, in addition to classic floor models, there are exciting options for boys and girls:

• Playpens with strong rails and rounded, protected corners;

• Wigwam beds for little explorers and lovers of adventure and nature;

• Classic beds with headboards that make the bed even more comfortable and stylish;

• Beds with extra strong rails and crossbars kids can climb on like an exercise machine and more.

 Proper location and equipment of the Montessori bed for infants and toddlers

Ensure the bed is located without drafts, and the child will be as comfortable as possible. It will facilitate the nesting process and create a relaxing atmosphere for great sleep. The space around the bed also matters. Take care of fire and electrical safety, put special protection on the windows, and remove everything that can injure a child. Thanks to this, the child will be comfortable and safe, and you, as parents, will have peace of mind.

From the first days, notice all the child's successes, and encourage them to new achievements and achievements. Be supportive and an endless source of love and care – this is the most profitable and successful investment.