Maria Montessori believed that children are born with tremendous potential that can be developed and fulfilled exclusively through their own minds and will. It doesn’t mean parents have no role in this-quite the opposite. The ability of children to develop their potential depends mainly on their caregivers and the environment in which they grow. According to Maria Montessori, there are three critical aspects forming a child: a child himself an adult (parents, teachers), and a prepared environment. All of them are closely connected and can never be fully separated. In this guide, we’ll tak ..read more

Maria Montessori paid close attention to children’s development in the early stages of life. She observed the childcare practices at her time and gave many recommendations on how to handle infants the right way. One of the things she promoted is the so-called topponcino. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what exactly it is and what are the advantages of having one. What is a topponcino? The topponcino (also known as a “Montessori baby pillow” or “security pillow”) is a soft mobile mattress designed to provide a safe environment for the baby during the first few months of life. It m ..read more

Setting up a Montessori-friendly bedroom is really simple. All you need is to provide a safe environment where the basic principles of the Montessori method can be applied. In this practical guide, we’ll take a closer look at how to do it. Since many children’s bedrooms serve other purposes besides sleeping, we’ve divided the Montessori bedroom into four areas and we’ll cover them one by one: Sleeping area Play area Dressing area Reading corner Let’s dive in. Sleeping area The most prominent feature of a Montessori bedroom is a floor bed. Maria Montessori did not recommend cribs as they d ..read more

The Pikler triangle has caught the hearts of many toddlers and their parents. And rightfully so. In its simplicity and affordability, it is a perfect climbing toy to meet the climbing needs of babies and toddlers of (almost) any age in a safe way. But although it is probably the most popular indoor gross motor toy out there, there are many great alternatives. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at them. Best Pikler triangle alternatives Climb and crawl foam set Climbing arch Three-sided climbing triangle Indoor toddler gym Climbing dome Hammock swing Balance board Wooden indoor slide S ..read more

One of the most important messages of Montessori education, the essence of the Montessori approach, is definitely the principle known as “follow the child.” In this post, we’ll try to explain this principle in detail and give some practical examples of what it means in real life.  Also, we asked 8 Montessori moms to share what following the child means to them. You’ll find their answers at the end of the post. Let’s dive in. What “follow the child” really means “Follow the child” is one of the key principles of Montessori education. It encourages parents to observe and respect their c ..read more

Although the Montessori method is usually associated with schools and educational programs, its principles can be applied at home too. The 100-years-old method has a lot to say to the parents living in the 21st century. The growing number of Montessori parenting blogs, YouTube channels and courses is a clear indicator of this. What is Montessori parenting? Montessori parenting is an intentional parenting approach based on the principles laid out by Dr. Maria Montessori. The pillars of this approach consist of respecting children’s individuality, practicing hands-on learning and encouraging ..read more

When someone says “Montessori floor bed”, you probably imagine a picture of a classic house-like wooden frame with little lights hanging from the top. Its design is simple, creates a sense of coziness and children love it. However, the floor bed is not primarily about a wooden frame. First and foremost, a floor bed is about a quality mattress. In this post, we’ll take a look at what kind of mattress should you pick for a Montessori floor bed. Is there something like a “Montessori mattress”? Image source: Sprout Kids What kind of mattress to use for a Montessori floor bed? Picking the right ..read more

Reading is one of the best things you can do for the development of your child. There are numerous benefits other than language development and enrichment of vocabulary. Reading with the toddlers helps to improve their cognitive capacity, it encourages imagination and empathy and strengthens the relationship between the child and the parent. That’s why it’s very important to provide your little one with quality books as early as they start noticing the world around them. (If you’re here just for the book recommendations, jump right to our list).  How to pick a Monte ..read more

Montessori toys are super-popular right now. And it’s great they are. The Montessori method, although old, has a lot to say to the modern parents who want only the best for their children. The problem is, there’s a lot of contradictory information about what is and what is not a Montessori-friendly toy. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the basic Montessori principles regarding toys and provide a curated list of the best Montessori toys you can get for your little one. We divided them into 6 categories: Sensory toys Fine motor skills Gross motor skills Practical life Furniture L ..read more

Toddler age is a period known under catchy nicknames like “terrible twos” or the age of “threenagers”. Although it’s true that children between the age of 1 and 3 years start throwing tantrums as they undergo enormous developmental changes, it is also a fascinating period. Toddlers start forming their own personalities and learn everything at a very fast pace. They love challenges (always choosing the most difficult way) and despite their temper, they are very quick to forget and show genuine love. The Montessori method notices these changes and tries to respond to them in a way that will h ..read more