Rules for Organizing a Sleeping Area in a Montessori-Style Room

The Montessori style is not so much about design rules as it is about principles for organizing a child’s environment to be safe and stimulating for discovery and active development. Visually, it’s a free space that uses natural motifs and materials, adapted to the child’s height. Thus, at first glance, a room designed in this style might seem half-empty. This is because the vertical space is mostly untouched, while low cabinets and bookshelves are placed on the floor so that children don’t have to reach for books and toys.

Sleeping Space: Maria Montessori’s Rules

In her works and lectures, Maria Montessori placed special emphasis on aspects of healthy sleep for children. She noted that in a typical high bed with tall slatted sides, a child might not sleep very comfortably. The first thing they see in the morning is the bars, which prevent them from looking around the room. They can’t climb out of such a bed on their own, so they either cry for their parents or wait patiently for them to come. Instead, Montessori suggested sleeping on a low bed placed on or near the floor. Such a floor bed with a headboard might have side rails to prevent the child from rolling out, but overall, it doesn’t obstruct the child’s view of the room or their ability to get up when needed.

Additional Requirements 

• The mattress frame should either be on the ground or on slats. This type of foundation best supports the mattress, ensuring an anatomically correct sleeping position, which is important for maintaining proper posture from an early age.
• The low height not only encourages independent use of the sleeping area but also ensures that the child won’t get injured even if they roll out of bed.
• The bed should be made of sturdy and natural materials. The optimal choice is natural wood, as it is safe for health, doesn’t cause allergies, and lasts as long as needed.

The design should not be visually overwhelming or tiring for the eyes. The more visual stimuli in the room, the harder it is for the child to concentrate and fall asleep. Maria Montessori was one of the first researchers to emphasize the importance of maintaining a calm and relaxed environment. Overstimulation from colorful pictures, various sounds, or flickering can exhaust the nervous system (this is why it’s often difficult for children to fall asleep after watching cartoons or playing games on the phone).

Attention to Space Around the Bed

It is also important to focus on the space around the bed. Ideally, the room should be filled with items and things that the child genuinely needs. These items should be easily accessible. For example, you can place a bookshelf next to the bed, filled with your child’s favorite books, allowing them to explore this “library” and choose a book to read before bed.

Similarly, toy boxes or bins should also be stored on the floor, helping to gradually teach the child to put away all toys after playtime, organizing them in their designated boxes or shelves. The child’s things, such as pajamas, blankets, and the toy they sleep with, should be within reach. This is important for several reasons: it helps the child feel more independent and confident in their abilities, fostering a sense of autonomy.

A room arranged according to these principles creates a world specifically designed for the child, catering to their needs and promoting their development. In such a room, children will enjoy growing up, sleep soundly, and understand from an early age that this world is suitable for them now, not just in the future when they grow up.

Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.

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