Montessori Bed: How to choose the best in 2022

Today we are going to talk about a piece of furniture that brings incredible benefits for the development of children: the Montessori bed.

With the characteristic of being on the floor, to facilitate the development of the little ones, the Montessori bed has become playful and fun versions to give even more charm to children’s rooms.

In the midst of so many options, in this article we will show you the fundamentals of Montessori bedding and what you should take into account before buying the ideal bed.

First, the most important

• The original Montessori bed is nothing more than a mattress on the floor, which promotes the freedom and autonomy of young children.
• Part of the method developed by Maria Montessori, this bed makes up the children’s room with furniture and accessories designed specifically for the little ones.
• With the popularization, new versions have appeared and, therefore, we will show you here how to choose the most suitable Montessori bed.

 

Buying Guide

It may seem simple to choose the best Montessori bed with so many playful design options. But the fact is that the Montessori bed, more than beautiful, needs to be functional for the child’s development.

For this reason, we have created this Buying Guide with all the information you will need to choose the ideal Montessori bed.

What is a Montessori bed?

The Montessori bed is a piece of furniture adapted for children, which makes up the concept of the Montessori bedroom.

According to the Montessori Method, created by educator Maria Montessori, all furniture in the children’s room is designed specifically for children and babies.

In other words, everything is up to the little ones to stimulate exploration, development and independence.

Montessori bedding is no different. In fact, this type of bed is nothing more than a mattress on the floor.

The goal is that young children can have greater freedom to move around, get in and out of bed and explore the children’s room, without the dependence of the adult.

To ensure security, the entire room must follow the same concept.

 

 

With the popularization of the method, however, the Montessori bed gained playful elements to make the furniture more attractive for children and guarantee an additional charm to the decoration.

Nowadays, the most common thing is that you find the Montessori bed with a house, hut or tent design.

In the original Montessori concept, it is also characteristic of the bed not to have protection bars, or anything that prevents the child from moving freely.

However, with the fear of some parents that the little ones could roll to the floor, nowadays, with the new versions, it is possible to choose the Montessori bed with bars.

The Montessori bed gained playful features such as the house design. (Source: Katarzyna BiaÅ‚asiewicz / 123RF)

More than that, other elements were inserted in the concept of the Montessori bed to contribute to stimulating the child’s curiosity and development.

Among them are cushions of different shapes, lights and flags. To give you a general idea, here’s how to identify a Montessori bed:

• Position close to the ground with low base;
• Dimensions adapted to the child’s size;
• Fun and playful templates and formats;
• Playful decorative objects to whet the little ones’ curiosity.

In addition, the Montessori bed can have different sizes: cradle, child, single and even double size. The choice will depend on your taste and the space available in the children’s room.

At what age is the Montessori bed recommended?

The Montessori bed has no age limit. However, some experts recommend that you adopt this model from the moment the child starts to want to crawl.

It is in this period, which usually occurs from the age of six months, when the Montessori bed has its greatest benefit: allowing the little ones to move freely.

After all, in a cradle the child is trapped, depends on the adult to get in and out, and still runs the risk of climbing the guardrails offering a greater danger of falls and accidents. With the Montessori bed, this risk and limitations do not exist.

 

Therefore, experts recommend that, before six months, you should use the crib. Preferably one that has one side open to be attached to the parents’ bed.

After this period, the child can go to bed Montessori. The mattress on the floor encourages babies to move.

When your child gets a little older, you can replace the mattress on the floor with a low Montessori bed.

But if you are still afraid to leave your baby free in the room, continue reading this article that we will explain how to ensure the child’s safety.

What is the Montessori method?

The Montessori method is a pedagogical system developed through scientific and empirical research by the Italian doctor and pedagogue Maria Montessori.

In general, the method contemplates the individuality of the child and respects its own rhythms of learning and maturation.

Therefore, this concept proposes the creation of a stimulating environment for each child to develop, discover and learn following their curiosity.

In this way, each boy or girl is the protagonist of his own learning and the adults act as guides, following this process.

Nowadays, the method is applied in several educational institutions around the world. But, in addition to the educational part, the method also reached homes.

Realizing that children’s rooms were made with adults in mind and not small ones, Maria Montessori created the concept of the Montessori bedroom in 1907.

This new concept of children’s room consists of arranging the elements of the room at the child’s height so that they can access it independently without depending on adults.

This way, it is also possible to encourage her to feel comfortable to explore the space of her room.

 

Maria MontessoriMethod creator

“To help a child, we must provide them with an environment that allows them to develop freely.”

Thus, in the Montessori room, in addition to the bed on the floor, the other furniture must be easily accessible for the child.

Promoting independence and autonomy in the child’s early years through bedroom furniture is the main goal of the Montessori bedroom.

How to set up a room with a Montessori bed?

As the method prioritizes self-education, the Montessori room must offer elements positioned at the child’s height.

So, instead of high beds, mattresses on the floor offer greater freedom for the little ones, who can lie down and get up whenever they want.

Toys should be arranged so that the child can pick them up at will. It is also recommended that the niches and furniture are small and have no doors.

Thus, the child will be able to get what he wants more easily. Other important elements that you must include in the composition of the Montessori environment are:

• • Minimalism : With less furniture and objects, the child can move around and explore the room more safely;
  • Mirror : Helps the child discover and analyze their movements. We recommend the acrylic mirror, which does not risk breaking and stuck to the wall at the child’s height;
  • Bar affixed to the wall : To help the child who is starting to stand and walk;
  • Carpet : For the little ones to have sensory experiences and delimit the space for games;
  • Low cupboard : Put in the cupboard, which can also be a rack, few clothing options for the child to choose easily;
  • Low table and chairs : All furniture in the room, to play, paint or study, needs to be adapted to the child’s size;
  • Furniture on the wall : Use shelves and niches attached to the wall to prevent them from moving or even falling.

 

Objects, such as books and toys, must be in open niches that do not need doors. Of course, with this layout of the room, there is a risk that you may come across a messy environment.

It is not by chance that the idea of ​​having a simple room, without many furniture or decorative objects is the basis of the Montessori concept.

But that does not mean that the children’s room will be bland. On the contrary, the use of objects that stimulate sensations, with pillows, mobiles and even a picture frame, is highly recommended.

 

The idea is that you organize the objects and toys strategically. For example, if your child has a lot of toys, experts suggest that you rotate: leave some at the child’s disposal for a while then replace them with others.

The same is true with clothes. Separate up to six pieces of clothing and let the little one enjoy his autonomy to choose the one that will cause him the most well-being.

More than that, with access to the choice of clothes and toys, children are also encouraged to take care of their belongings and keep them in order.

What is the difference between the room with the Montessori bed and the traditional one?

As we have seen, the Montessori room has low furniture and objects at the height and reach of the child.

 

The Montessori bed eliminates the risk of falling.

In the traditional children’s room, this is not always the case. In general, the beds, including cribs, are tall and have protective rails. With this, the child is always dependent on the parents to get around.

Not to mention that when she starts to crawl and want to stand, the crates and the height of the crib start to offer risks of accidents. The Montessori bed eliminates the risk of falling, since the mattress is either on the floor or very close to it.

In addition, in the traditional bedroom it is very common to find many decorative objects that are placed thinking more of the taste of the adult than of the benefits for the little ones.

 

Maria MontessoriMethod creator

“Never help a child with a task that he feels capable of doing on his own.”

Not infrequently, the traditional children’s room is impeccable in terms of organization, but fails to stimulate the child’s senses and development and learning.

In addition, the fact is that a traditional baby room is expensive and the furniture becomes obsolete in a short time. For example, the crib does not last more than 2 or 3 years. Then you have to move to a children’s bed and then to a single bed.

With the Montessori bed, you can choose a size bed that will last for years. Check out the main differences between the room with Montessori bed and the traditional children’s room:

What care should you take with the room and the Montessori bed?

Like any children’s environment, fathers and mothers must also be careful in the Montessori room.

The first one refers to the Montessori bed. Many fathers and mothers are still afraid to put the child to sleep on the mattress on the floor.

But the fact is that the Montessori bed can even be considered safer than the traditional one. As we have seen, with the Montessori bed there is no risk of falling. What can happen is the child rolling to the floor.

If this occurs, there are some steps you should take to minimize any possible harm to the child. Among them, you can choose the bed that has protection bars.

But, if you choose the original method bed, experts recommend that you take three security measures:

• • Place a soft mat around the Montessori bed: this way, if the child rolls out, there will be no impact.
  • You can also use cushions and pillows to cushion any impact.
  • Or, use a platform or even a thick rug under the mattress. This recommendation is also important to avoid the cold that comes from the floor.

 

In addition to this care with the Montessori bed, the rest of the room that is adapted for children also deserves some considerations.

This is because, in an environment with elements and objects within the reach of the child, the main concern of parents is with safety.

For this reason, specialists in the Montessori method suggest the following precautions: • Avoid furniture or objects with corners.

• Do not use frames with glass , prefer acrylic ones.
• Secure objects to the wall with double-sided tape . Avoid using nails.
• Take care with unstable furniture that may tip over.
• Hide and protect the outlets .

What are the advantages of Montessori bedding?

As we have seen, the advantages of Montessori bedding are enormous. First, this type of bed is designed to stimulate and develop the child’s physical and cognitive abilities, from a very young age.

Because they are on the ground, or close to the ground, Montessori beds are even safer when it comes to possible falls. And they also help to maintain a correct posture of the spine.

In addition, Montessori bedding has an excellent cost-benefit ratio. You can leave for free if you just put the mattress on the floor.

Or, if you choose to buy the beautiful and playful house beds, it can accompany the child’s growth for many years. Not to mention that this is a unisex bed and is successful in both the boys ‘and girls’ rooms.

 

Another advantage is the playful and fun design, which enchants the little ones. In addition, the shape of the roof of the house also allows the use of a mosquito net, to protect the child from the action of insects.

In addition, the Montessori bed is multifunctional. The following gives you more advantages and options of uses that the montessori bed can have:

• Free and cozy space to sleep;
• Rest space (many fathers and mothers even put a mini hammock on the bed);
• It can serve as a hut for games and reading;
• The child has the autonomy to enter and leave whenever he wants;
• Promotes correct posture of the spine and circulation;
• The child will not climb protective railings as he does in the crib.

How much does a Montessori bed cost?

The price of Montessori bedding can vary widely, especially depending on the material of manufacture, the size and the design of the furniture. Therefore, you will find the Montessori bed costing between R $ 130 and R $ 2 thousand.

Of course, you don’t have to buy the most expensive one. But it is common sense that better quality and more durable ones will have a higher cost.

Where to buy a Montessori bed?

You will find Montessori bedding for sale in department stores and hypermarkets.

Still, we recommend that you make your purchase at online stores like Amazon.

That way, you not only guarantee more options of models and sizes to choose from, but also purchase the Montessori bed from the comfort of your home.

 

Purchase Criteria: What to watch for when choosing Montessori bedding

As we have seen, the simplest and most economical way to adopt the Montessori bed is to place a mattress on the floor.

But, if you prefer to include creative elements in the bed, to please children and create more charm to the room, the options of models available on the market today are immense.

And, precisely for that reason, before you buy the Montessori bed, you need to understand what differentiates one model from another.

Only then can you guarantee that you will be buying the Montessori bed that will have the quality, durability and functionality that you expect and that your child deserves.

Therefore, we have listed below for you the main factors that must be taken into account before purchasing the Montessori bed:

• Measures
• Supported weight
• Design
• Manufacturing material
• Extras

Next, we will explain each of these factors in detail so that you can make the best decision when purchasing the ideal Montessori bed for your child.

Measures

The most important factor that you must take into consideration before purchasing the Montessori bed is the size of the furniture.

Here you must analyze two points: whether the bed will have enough space in the children’s room and whether you want a bed for each phase of the child or just one that will last for several years.

These assessments are necessary because you will find the Montessori bed in various sizes: from small to traditional single beds.

Remember that the important thing here is that the child feels comfortable in bed. Therefore, if you choose a small bed, keep in mind that, as the child grows, the dimensions of the furniture will also need to be adjusted.

The small bed, also known as the Montessori mini bed, is usually, on average, 1.50 meters long and 70 centimeters wide.

Even though it is small, this model is the ideal size for the child to move around comfortably at night.

In general, this type of bed is recommended for children aged 0 to 4 years, but it can vary according to the growth of each one.

The Montessori single bed can be used for a longer time.

For children from 3 years of age, the traditional single bed can now be inserted. The great advantage of this type of bed is that it accompanies the growth of children and can be used for many years, until adolescence.

In addition, the Montessori single bed, which is usually 1.88 meters long and 88 centimeters wide, offers more space for little ones to move around.

You can also find larger Montessori bed sizes, such as double beds, about 1.9 meters long and 90 meters wide.

Finally, if you want to be faithful to the Montessori method choose beds closer to the floor, that is, with a height between the platform and the small floor. The models available on the market have this measurement ranging from 4cm to 10cm.

Remembering that the lower this height, the closer the bed will be to the floor and the Montessori concept.

Supported weight

Next, we recommend that you take into account the weight supported by the Montessori bed. This value varies widely from one model to another and is related to the quality of the manufacturing material.

That way, it will be possible to find options that support between 30kg and 300kg. Obviously, the more weight the bed supports the more resistant and durable it will be.

Thus, the child will be able to use the bed for long years, following the natural weight gain that occurs with age.

Design

Another point to be analyzed is the design of the bed. As we have seen, the original Montessori bed is nothing more than a mattress on the floor.

But nowadays, it is possible to find more playful versions that attract fathers, mothers and, of course, children. The following are the most common designs of the Montessori bed available on the market:

Low bed

In addition to the mattress on the floor, this is the most basic form of Montessori bedding: flush with the floor, with or without protection bars.

The crates, although not part of the official concept of the Montessori method, can help to reassure the parents, preventing the child from rolling to the floor.

This model is the most economical and provides autonomy and safety for the baby and the child.

Small bed

She is the most fashionable model. Its differential is that it has bars that form a house structure on the bed. The house can be open or covered with fabrics and even a mosquito net.

But stay tuned because not every home bed is in line with the Montessori method. Some models are very high in relation to the ground, which is different from the Montessori concept.

Cabin bed

The cabin style Montessori bed follows the same line as the house bed. But here, the structure that forms on the bed is in the shape of a tent.

This model is usually more economical than the previous one and also creates a super playful and fun decorative environment for children.

Here it is also possible to place decorative fabrics on the hut to further increase the child’s comfort.

Manufacturing material

As we have seen, the material of manufacture determines the strength and durability of the Montessori bed.

If you want your child to use the bed from childhood to adolescence, we recommend that you invest in a bed made of solid wood, which is the most durable material.

But, in addition to this material, you also find the Montessori bed made with MDF, which is also considered quite resistant.

More than that, make sure that if the bed is painted, the paint is non-toxic so as not to harm the child’s health.

Extras

Finally, stay tuned for extra items that can accompany the Montessori bed. In the most modern models, it is possible to buy the bed accompanied by the mattress.

This is a practical and economical way to purchase the complete package. In some cases, you will also find the Montessori bed accompanied by the mosquito net or the sheer fabric covering the house or hut.

 

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