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How to create a Montessori child environment with Ikea

 

When we first prepared our environment to create beauty and independence for our child, we looked for items that could be useful to a Montessori home. We found many of these at a good price in Ikea, and they have been perfect for the stages of infancy and toddlerhood.

Hocks

Chair white

table

Footstool

Step stool

kitchen

Plates and bowls

Shape sorter

Hammering set

Blocks with wagon

Abacus

Low bed

Children stool,

Brush set

Paper roll art

Colour paper

Aprons

Mirror

Cutlery set

Basket

Red basket

natural basket

Sea grass basket

Mini chest drawers,

low shelf

I would say that all of these items have been used daily in our home, and still are in use, from when Chanel was a baby, to now as she is reaching three years of age. To create a Montessori environment, we had in mind simplicity, natural materials, wood, and accessibility. We aimed for low furniture, wooden toys, lovely storage baskets and low shelves to keep things accessible to her reach. There are more items I found useful, and I will keep updating this post to enrich this list and your Montessori home.

Gift ideas toys for Babies Montessori

 

A baby from birth to one year is in the first sensitive period and is looking for new experiences. He learns to grasp, touch, turn balance, crawl and walk. He also becomes fascinated with the sensorial experiences taste, touch and smell. Infants don't need many toys in the early months. However, as they grow they need stimulation.

I have included a collection of toys and materials for babies and infants that are beautifully made and encourage their movement, imagination and can be actively engaged in one way or another.

An infant absorbs everything in the environment, and is aware of colours, patterns, textures, and sounds. We can foster from the early years an appreciation for beautiful things and cultivate a sense of order. Infants develop skills and talents influenced by their surroundings. Books with real animal illustrations, and pop-up toys allow them to learn by repetition. Toys should be rich in colour, and texture, and have a purpose. Clothing made in fine cotton allows the skin to breathe and allows them the freedom to move around and explore. If a baby has started to crawl, then soon he will be walking. Baby walkers will support his need to move around and it may be a good time to provide one.

Rattle Grasping Toy Star

Mini Rainbow Rolling Wheel.

Skwish

Owl Babies book is still a favourite of Chanel's at two years.

Baby Walker

Elave Baby Oil

Wooden Mobile

Pop-Up Toy is a fantastic toy for learning the colours and is fun to use.

Baby Brush

Glows in the dark - infants and toddlers love everything that glows in the dark.

Soft Body suit is a lifetime favourite.

It is a good idea to look for toys that engage a baby's mind and body. Home made toys or materials that can provided sensorial games and experiences like discovering music, teach primary or secondary colours. Try to find toys that support your baby's development, that are made of natural materials.

Chanel is reaching three years and her interests have developed. I am providing toys and materials that allow her to think, concentrate and complete a cycle of activity.

If you have any toys or materials that can be added to this list, it would be useful for everyone in the future. Please leave your ideas or any questions in the feed of this post.

 

- Gorgeous mobiles for babies -

 

 

I have been looking for inspiration in baby - infant materials. After a good look, I have put together an original collection of mobiles made by creative and eco-minded artisans.

Munari mobile (black and white) top left, is used in the first few months of life and helps to develop a baby's visual sense. I love this version that I can make myself.

Top right, a gorgeous mobile rainbow. It helps babies to recognise and identify the colour spectrum. here

Bottom left, with colourful triangles in octahedra, is ideal for a baby between 2 and 3 months. This mobile develops the senses (directions) and baby's attention while beautifully decorating the environment. It is an educational mobile. here

Bottom right. The dancers. Each dancer is made of a three-part body, which allows for movement. It is introduced at the age of 3/4 months and also promotes concentration and hand-eye coordination. here

All the mobiles in this collection are suitable for hanging above the crib. I love mobiles that help to develop the senses of babies and that move gently in the wind.

What are your favourite mobiles? Have you made a mobile yourself ?

 

 

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Our most used home items - Essentials 0-3 years old -

 

I am often asked about the most useful and basic items to acquire for the first years (0-3 years) infants & toddlers. I thought I would share seven items that worked fantastically well for us and we used. In fact we still use some of them as a part of our everyday living.

 

1. To facilitate the adaptation to the outside world and to help my baby to feel secure, I found that ergo had the best sling/carrier, after trying out seven or eight different slings available on the market. I was able to do any task at home or outdoors hands free while still carrying and nurturing my baby.
2. My greatest opportunity to connect with Chanel as a newborn was through breastfeeding. I used this nursing pillow to offer her unhurried quality connection time.
3. A natural sponge so soft and gentle, this is still our best friend at bath times.
4. I didn't know whether babies could use a pillow or when they were ready to use one. Instead, Clevafoam was always safe to use, and a good compromise when Chanel had a episodes of colds, reflux, blocked nose, where it helped to raise her head just enough so that she could breathe better at night.
5. Montessori from the Start was the first Montessori book I read. It helped me to gain a great understanding of the benefits of creating a prepared enviroment. I also found detailed advice on practical matters such as helping babies to sleep, as well as on food, clothing, and going to the toilet. It has many practical activities to practise at home, divided by stage of development.
6. We installed an acrylic wall mirror in Chanel's bedroom which has grown up with her. There are many advantages of having one available at home. For example, babies can study their own reflection, understand perspective, and it can encourage them at tummy time. When they get older they spend more time using it in dance and movement. This is something I would definitely recommend to anyone setting up an environment for a newborn, infant or young child.
7. A low bed. Even if you decide not to co-sleep with your baby. This is the most practical and convenient setting for when your infant starts to crawl. We were without worry any time Chanel was on this bed. There were no falls, no traumas, and no need for rails. Happy sleep for every one.

I could have acquired many more of the resources available in the baby -world market. Each item would offer something worthy and useful and it would take a trial and error to see its benefits. However, I could categorise these seven items as the least expensive and yet most useful purchases I made. I liked the quality of each of them as well as the joy and long-term benefits they still bring us.

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