Montessori Floor Bed

Unlike Traditional Educational Philosophies, the Montessori Method of Education does not confine the educational and developmental experience to a classroom, books, and restricted curricula.

As a unique pedagogical tool, Montessori Method incorporates several complex theories and ideas that are integral to the child’s natural development process.

From Montessori Materials that effectively facilitate the education of the senses to Montessori Furniture that helps children become contributing members in the classroom and home environment.

One can definitely say Montessori Method integrates features that facilitate holistic development. 

But unlike the renowned Montessori Materials, Montessori Floor beds are unique Montessori Furniture that most individuals are unaware of.

Integrating Montessori Furniture into one’s home can be a puzzling task for many individuals who are not fully acquainted with Montessori Philosophy. Montessori Floor beds are a great addition for one’s to safely put their infants in sweet slumber. 

To clear confusion and help one figure out the right Montessori Floor bed for the infant, Here is everything one should know about Montessori floor beds.

What is a Montessori Floor Bed Exactly? 

The function and purpose of a Montessori floor Bed are self-explanatory. A  Montessori Floor Bed is simply a mattress or a bed situated on the floor.

A Floor Bed often promotes a child’s independence and does not restrict the child’s movement and mobility. In other words, A Montessori Floor Bed encourages children to take autonomy over their surrounding environment. 

Just like any other Montessori Material, a Floor Bed provides the child with an opportunity to take initiative, allows make independent decisions, and develop based on their own experience.

Most parents transition into using Montessori Floor Beds between 5 to 10 months to provide children with the required independence without restricting the child by using a barred crib or putting the child’s safety in jeopardy. 

What are the Benefits of using a Montessori Floor Bed? 

A Montessori Floor Bed is integral for parents who want to integrate aspects of Montessori into their home or want to bring up their child the Montessori way.

The Montessori Method of education lays heavy emphasis on a Prepared Environment to encourage the optimum development of the child. Montessori Floor Beds are an essential part of the Montessori environment. 

As different as the concept of Montessori Floor Beds may sound, these beds incorporate several benefits. 

1. Freedom of Movement:
   Unlike traditional infant cribs that have high barred walls and railings which often restrict the baby’s movement, Montessori Floor Beds allow children to move freely.
   
   Montessori Floor Beds provide children with freedom of movement, encourage children to venture out and explore the surroundings, as well as foster independence in children from a very young age. 
   
2. Encourages Decision Making: 
   The establishment of decision-making values in a child during the early ages of development is integral for their future prospects. Montessori Floor Beds provide children with choices and decisions from the very moment they open their eyes in the morning. 
   
3. Safe and Secure:
   Infants and children have the tendency to constantly move around or roll around in order to explore their surrounding environment.
   
   The rigid walls, elevated height, or railings of playpens and cribs can have unanticipated consequences where the child easily injures themselves. Montessori Floor Beds and mattresses that are simply situated on the floor significantly minimize the risk of injury to the infant or the child. 
   
4. Unobstructed View:
   With the lack of safety walls, railings, and bars the child can have an unobstructed view of the surrounding environment. The Unobstructed view of the environment can provide sensorial stimulation as well as cater to their natural curiosity. 

When should one introduce a Montessori Floor Bed? 

There is no specific age when one can transition their infant to using a Montessori Floor Bed. But most Montessori Proponents recommend using a Montessori Floor Bed between the ages of 5 months to 10 months minimum, or when they start to independently sit up.

Some parents also prefer providing their younger ones with a Montessori Floor Bed when they’re as young as 2 months old. 

What is the right way to Introduce a Montessori Floor Bed?

There are two common approaches to introducing Montessori Floor Beds to the child. Some parents choose to directly place the baby on the Montessori Floor bed from their cradles and others choose to gradually transition between the periods of 1 to 3 years. 

It is important to initiate the transitioning process as early as possible to help the child utilize their Absorbent Mind as early as possible.

However one might have to add a railing extension during the early stages of the child’s development to prevent the child from rolling out of the bed.

One can also initiate the transition by first placing the child on the Montessori Floor Bed only for playtime and naps during the day and gradually establishing the use of Floor Beds for nighttime sleep. 

Are the Montessori Floor Beds Safe? 

For most, it can be quite intimidating to leave the child unassisted during the night. By using Montessori Floor Beds, parents do not have to comprise their child’s safety of their child.

It is important to note that just using a Montessori Bed will not provide optimum safety for the infant.

Parents must child-proof or baby-proof the entire room before placing the infant unassisted in the room to prevent any injury or unanticipated accidents. 

The Montessori Floor Beds unlike Cribs or cradles are placed on the ground. Hence, they are completely safe when the child begins to establish age-appropriate gross motor skills.

With the help of low-grounded Montessori Floor Beds, the child will also realize the consequences of what will happen if they go close to the edge of the bed. 

What should you Consider before Purchasing a Montessori Floor Bed? 

Montessori Floor Beds are an integral aspect of the Montessori Prepared Environment at home. Regardless of the Montessori Floor Beds being as straightforward as situating a Mattress on the ground, there are a few points one should consider before purchasing a Montessori Floor Bed for their infant.

1. Easy to use:
   The Montessori Floor Bed should use. The Floor Bed should allow the child to independently move in and out of the Montessori Floor Bed without any adult assistance. 
   
2. Airflow of the Mattress: One should invest in a Mattress that has Airflow control to keep a track of the Airflow of the bed. Since the Mattress is placed on the ground, one should add plentiful air to the mattress to avoid mold infestation in the humid climate.
   
3. Size of the Mattress: One should invest in a large-size mattress to increase the longevity of the Montessori Floor Bed. A larger or twin-size Floor Bed Mattress can be used for up to 3 years.
   
4. The firmness of the Mattress: The mattress should be firm to enforce safe sleeping habits and promote good posture for the infant.

So is Montessori Floor Bed meant for your Home?

Montessori Floor beds are mostly meant for individuals who want to wholly incorporate the Montessori Philosophy in their home environment.

while most families following the Montessori Philosophy choose to utilize different kinds of sleeping arrangements, many do consider the Montessori floor beds to be a pivotal aspect of their Montessori home environment.

Montessori Floor beds are child-sized, close to the floor, and completely child-safe. Unlike the cribs or cots that are elevated high above the ground or fashion railings to restrict the child’s movements, Montessori Floor beds are close to the ground and promote the child to have a free range and explore their surroundings.

If you are a parent who wants to provide your child with limitless experiences and encourage them to explore their surroundings, then Montessori Floor beds will be a great option for your home!

See Also:

• Montessori Play Gym
• Montessori Cribs
• Montessori Nido Classroom