A room for kids, not for adults. This is the premise of decorating a Montessori room – inspired by the teaching method created by Italian paediatrician and educator Maria Montessori in 1906.
Montessori was also the first woman to graduate in medicine in Italy. The doctor focused on assisting children with special needs and used psychology to understand the needs of little ones. The educational methodology created by the Italian, and which has become a trend a century later, prioritises children’s autonomy. In other words, when adapted to bedroom decoration, it advocates that the choice of toys and furniture should be made as if we were little ones and not adults.
How do you organize a Montessori room?
Here, everything should be low – positioned at children’s height – to create a more favourable environment for development and so that they can explore the space without depending on their parents’ help, with more freedom. Following this philosophy, toys should stimulate imagination and be arranged on low shelves or in boxes without lids so that children can take them out at will. But it is up to the parents to impose the rules of coexistence.
Parents should set limits and establish rules for the use of the space. To arouse the children’s interest, parents can alternate the toys and games available so as not to generate monotony. Every 15 days, for example, they may put away some toys and leave others within the babies’ reach.
Some things are fundamental to stimulating sensory experiences in the Montessori room. A low bed or mattress on the floor should be the first item on the shopping list for this type of decoration. Thus, the child can get up without having to call for their parents. Tables and chairs should also be miniature.
To encourage reading, in addition to toys, books should also be on display, as it is in early childhood that this habit is developed. With books within reach of their hands, the little ones can leaf through them on their own. There should also be a mirror at the child’s height so that he or she can begin to recognize their own image.
All items must be well attached to the walls to create a reliable environment for the child’s development, without risk of injury. A support bar, for example, helps babies who are taking their first steps. This way, they don’t need to be held by their hands. We also advise the use of carpets and different textures in the room for a greater sensory experience in the space.
How do I set up a Montessori room?
A well-designed nursery meets all the needs of the baby and the parents. Including those that arise according to the growth and curiosity of the little ones. This is what the Montessori method applied to decoration revolves around, an educational strategy based on autonomy that is now reflected in interior design. Here are some tips to make a Montessori baby room
Focus on the essential
One of the charms of Montessori environments is how it stays away from excesses. Toys, clothes and furniture fulfill their functions each in their place, without filling the space completely. Thus the environment is more pleasant and organized, and the child is spared from excessive stimulation. Parents can even rotate the toys that are within their children’s reach.
Let go of the cradle
The independence of the baby is the main pillar of the Montessori line, reflected even in the way he sleeps. Cots restrict movement, leaving the baby completely dependent on parents to sleep, in and out of bed. The mattress on the floor gives the child the necessary freedom to decide if he feels like sleeping or not, without parental interference.
Decorate according to the child’s size
Just as what is important and allowed should always be at the child’s hand on the lower shelves, the decoration should also be at the child’s height. It is worth remembering that the airspace of the Montessori room belongs to the adult. So, it’s okay to put a few pictures on high shelves, but make sure that much of the art is at your child’s eye level.
Encourage autonomy
Besides toys placed at the child’s height, it’s worth leaving some clothes within the little ones’ reach in the wardrobe. As most wardrobes only have high chests, the ideal is to resort to custom-made joinery. This way, you can pre-select the clothes and let your child make the final choice.
Custom made
Made-to-measure joinery is also a great ally in allowing good circulation, even in small environments. As it is a child’s room, you can make everything a little narrower and leaner, making room for your child to enjoy the environment. According to the child’s age, it is also interesting to have some support bars to help them stand up in their first steps.
Explore textures
This increases children’s curiosity and perception of their senses. As in the Montessori room it is expected that the child spends much free time on the floor, compositions with different playful rugs are a great way out. In the market, there are some anti-allergic models that can be washed at home, ideal for those who have children at home.
Pay attention to safety
Many parents are afraid of leaving their children free because they don’t have an environment prepared for it. In the Montessori room, it is essential to choose stable furniture, which will not fall over when used as support. The mirror should be acrylic and the pictures should not have glass to avoid accidents. It is important to remember that the decoration of the Montessori room should be modified as the child grows, always adapting to their age.
