What Is Montessori for babies and toddlers?

This may be your first-time encountering Montessori, or you may have heard of Montessori but not know very much about the philosophy, or know that it can be put into practice for babies from birth – or even that it can be applied at home.

The team at SensorStory Baby Classes has put together some useful information for FTM parents, as well as help dispel some of the myths that surround the more than 100-year-old method.

Montessori is quite unique, with practices such as the prepared environment, which is filled with Montessori materials – where each material teaches a specific learning outcome & through repetition & practice, children master the five areas of the Montessori Curriculum, where learning through play is always purposeful & engaging. And principles such as the Absorbent Mind, Sensitive Periods, Respect for the Child. The 10 principles of Montessori are based on the belief that children are naturally intelligent, that they deeply want to learn, and that they have immense potential and are just as much about understanding how children learn, as they are about defining how Montessori is different to traditional education. Montessori philosophy is rooted in the idea that little ones should be empowered to do things on their own – not because we want our children to grow up too fast, let children be children! But because they love it!

“the objective of Montessori education is not fill a child with facts, but to continue to cultivate their own natural desire to learn” – Dr. Maria Montessori

Think Montessori is just for nursery-aged children?

Absolutely not! Parents are often surprised to hear that one of the biggest misconceptions about Montessori is that it's solely for nursery-aged children. In reality, the Montessori approach spans across various age groups, from birth, through infancy, childhood, adolescence to maturity at age 24.

💡Thousands of Montessori schools in the UK and worldwide cater to children aged 6-18, although in the UK, they often operate as private schools, which might explain their lesser-known status.

There are also Montessori nurseries for the age group 3-6 (although some accept children from 2.5), which are most widely recognised, contributing to the misconception.

Additionally, for children aged 0-3, Montessori parent-child groups exist, offering a valuable introduction to the principles at the earliest stages of development.

💡Montessori principles can be adapted and applied effectively throughout a child's entire educational journey, promoting lifelong learning and development. It's a holistic and enduring philosophy that extends well beyond the early years.

💡Moreover, it’s even used in elderly care, for individuals with dementia, due to its person-centered and holistic approach, and thanks to its concentration and memory benefits through cognitive stimulation, promotion of independence, meaningful activities, individualised approach, sensory engagement and emphasis on respect.

💡The principles of Montessori prove beneficial in various stages of life, emphasising a lifelong approach to learning and well-being.

Montessori education for babies & toddlers from birth to 3 years of age is about promoting, supporting & strengthening their natural development to their maximum potential, in a way that is more natural to them & encompasses everything we do & everything that they experience. Montessori is a philosophy & believes that this learning starts from birth. Birth-3 years of age is a particularly special time in Montessori – The Montessori method believes that the birth to three-year age group is the most important period of the whole of human development.

“The studies which have been made of early infancy leave no room for doubt: the first three years are important for ever” – Dr. Maria Montessori

Dr. Montessori believed that the 0-3-year age group is the most important period of development for children, & modern science still agrees. During the first three years of life, the brain absorbs & processes more information than at any other time in life – from birth, infants are receptive & respond to all aspects of their environment absorbing the language & culture around them.

Babies crave sensory stimuli, they deeply desire to absorb every sight, sound, smell, taste, &

touch around them to acquire knowledge of the world. These first experiences become one

of the earliest memories.

Allowing freedom in a safe space is crucial to the infant community - however, it is always tempered by two important limits that will be beneficial for a lifetime; respect for others & respect for the environment. Building the child’s self-esteem, concentration & self-confidence is the ultimate goal.

Everything in the 0-3 environment should be proportionate to the child’s size & designed to be aesthetically pleasing for little ones.

“Children learn naturally through activity and their characters develop through freedom” – Maria Montessori

Author: SensorStory™

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