The Montessori method of education doesn't have to wait until your children are school-aged. This unique approach to child development focuses on hands-on learning to promote independence from an early age. Even infants respond well to a Montessori environment in the home.
Those early months before your baby starts toddling around the house are a great time to start out and slowly incorporate ideas of child-centered learning and exploration.
Let's explore how to begin implementing Montessori principles and activities into your infant's home environment.
Understanding Montessori Principles
Conceived by Italian physician Maria Montessori, the Montessori method is a creative approach to learning that recognizes a child's capabilities, even at a young age. Core principles of the Montessori method are respecting the child, sensitive periods for learning, a prepared environment, and independence and discovery.
Concepts from the Montessori method can easily adapt to your home life at any stage of your child's development, including:
- Infants: Establish a safe, stimulating space to introduce your infant to Montessori at home.
- Toddlers: As your toddler becomes more mobile, continue to encourage exploration of the world around them.
- School-aged children: Take a break from academics and let your school-aged child spend time at home working on practical life skills.
Creating a Montessori Infant Environment at Home
Montessori at home means creating a structured yet flexible space that encourages childhood independence. The key is to promote the following foundational principles through stimulating activities and a space designed for your infant's development:
- Foster independence: Provide your infant with opportunities and materials to explore and learn independently.
- Allow choices: Infants can be encouraged to make choices and develop individuality by offering them simple options and respecting their preferences.
- Encourage routine: Introduce everyday tasks and regularly rotate materials to foster self-care skills and allow your infant to explore new interests.
Here are some practical ways to develop an infant Montessori environment.
Encourage Home Exploration
Freedom of movement is an essential aspect of Montessori in the first few months of a child's life and beyond. Provide your infant with opportunities for movement and discovery while keeping them safe. The goal is to create a space that allows them to explore freely as they test out their newfound mobility.
Most people think of baby gates as ways to restrict their little ones. But you can use these barriers to outline safe play spaces and keep your baby in the areas designed for their learning and exploration.
Another way to facilitate home exploration is to let your baby explore safe household items, like pots, pans and utensils. Before they explore, baby-proof any area where your baby could get hurt. To do this, you can:
- Cover electrical outlets
- Place safety latches on doors
- Remove objects that could hurt your baby
Promote Montessori Infant Toys and Activities
When they're too young to move around by themselves, babies respond well to a low-hung mirror and other small toys. As they develop, choose toys, objects and activities that help them make use of all five of their senses:
- Give them a box and some objects to practice putting in and taking out of the box.
- Help develop their sensory skills by playing with sand, water and other textured items.
- Take your baby outdoors to experience different surfaces and textures, like grass or sand.
A hallmark of a Montessori program for younger children is the "Treasure Box." This is something you can make on your own at relatively little cost. Again, the goal is to help your little one develop each of their five senses, discovering through touch, sight, smell, hearing and even taste. The basket can contain items made out of wood, leather, fur, feathers, metal and any other natural materials. Always make sure the objects do not pose a choking hazard or have sharp edges. Also, avoid including plastic items in the box.
Make a Montessori Bedroom for Infants
A Montessori infant room is designed around the baby. Rather than filling the space with clutter, adult-sized furniture and artwork at adult eye levels, the goal is to create a flexible environment that evolves with your baby’s growing needs.
This could include:
- Floor mattress: Letting your child sleep on the floor with age-appropriate toys in reach allows them to transition from sleeping to playing without your assistance once they're mobile.
- Baby gate: A baby gate across the doorway ensures they stay in this designated area to encourage safe learning.
- Child-sized furniture: Whether it's meal and activity tables or easy-to-reach drawers, child-sized furniture fosters a sense of self-reliance because they can access them with little to no assistance.
Learn More About Child-Focused Learning at Sapientia Montessori
It's never too early to start thinking about your child's education. At Sapientia Montessori, we offer an educational experience that encourages innovation and stimulates creativity via the complete Montessori method. Beginning at 18 months and continuing through 12 years, your child will receive personalized instruction that allows them to thrive — academically, socially and developmentally.
Contact us today to learn more about our AMI-accredited school in Greater North Austin, Texas.