03 Apr Five ways to create the ideal Montessori bedroom for your child
A child’s bedroom should be their sanctuary, just like your bedroom is for you. Decorating your little one’s room using Montessori principles is quite easy, and there are several things to keep in mind before you set out on making changes.
Keep in mind that everything you do in the decorating process is child–centred, promotes autonomy and cuts out visual distractions. Most Montessori bedrooms opt for neutral paint shades and shy away from bold, bright and distracting colours. This is something to consider when decorating your child’s room, including choosing warm, neutral colours for curtains and bedding.
Here are five ways you can create an intentional, child-friendly, Montessori space for your tiny human to enjoy:
Remove all clutter
Keeping it simple is key to a Montessori-style bedroom. Without bulky furniture and clutter, your little one has freedom of movement and can explore safely at their leisure – which is the focus of the Montessori bedroom. This means that you would need to streamline the amount of toys available and on display, and décor is kept to a minimalistic style.
Get a floor bed
Maria Montessori was not a fan of cribs as she saw them as a hindrance to a child’s autonomy. She saw cribs, with their bars, as cages for children. Her idea was that children could get up freely and safely from a floor bed and that as they got older, children would transition to a “big bed”. The principle behind a floor bed is to promote independence in your little one and allow them to move freely. A floor bed is also a safer choice as there is less risk of your tiny human injuring themselves if they happen to roll out of the bed. A sturdy, supportive mattress is essential, and it needs to be low enough for your child to be able to climb onto and off easily. Make sure the mattress is portable so that it can be moved around if you and your child decide to rearrange things in the room from time to time. If you opt for a low Montessori-style frame, get one made from wood rather than metal to reduce the risk of injury.
Keep things at the child’s level
From bookshelves and toy storage to clothing racks, keep everything at a height that is easy to reach for your child. Again this promotes independence and allows your little one to explore and engage with their environment at their own time and pace. This will also help develop your child’s motor skills, problem-solving ability and fill them with a sense of confidence.
Create a Montessori reading nook
A reading area in the room is a great idea, and it encourages your child to be curious and to independently select books of interest. A forward-facing bookshelf allows your child to see what books are available. The bookshelf needs to be child-sized so that they can easily retrieve the books that interest them. Make the area cosy with a soft cushion to sit on, or a beanbag. You could add textured items such as soft alphabet puzzles to enhance learning. Change up the books available regularly to help stimulate their interest. Adding some space for you and your child to cuddle up and read together is a lovely option. Some parents create a reading tent, as children enjoy crawling into cosy spaces.
Add a child-friendly dressing area
Your child will love the idea of choosing their own outfit for the day and it provides them the independence, confidence and responsibility. They will get a chance to have fun exploring their individuality, and as we know, kids love playing dress up! An open hanging area for clothing is an excellent idea, and again, this needs to be at a height that your child can reach, giving them the freedom to play, explore and experiment with their own style.
There are a number of additional things you can incorporate into your toddler’s room, such as toy baskets, textured items for stimulation and even a designated play area. This, of course, depends on the available space.
The goal is to create a space where your tiny person has freedom and independence, where they can explore and satisfy their curiosity with joy and confidence. Ultimately, it’s their space, and a Monstessori-style bedroom will help them to take ownership of that space.