The Montessori method is very popular. And for good reason! Inspired by Maria Montessori’s pedagogical research, this philosophy of life is centred on developing the autonomy of young children as much as it is on building their self-confidence. To create an environment conducive to a child’s well-being, the Italian doctor instructed that a child’s room should be designed at a child’s height, and spaces are differentiated and organised.
As a creator of sustainable furniture, TIPTOE has also thought of furniture for children, adapted to the pedagogy. Let this be an opportunity to figure out, together, the art and method of creating a Montessori dynamic in your child’s room.
A sleeping area close to the floor
Getting the child accustomed to sleeping as close to floor level as possible is one of the essential teachings of a Montessori education. The Montessori philosophy is the opposite of the standardised beds with bars, and therefore opts for a mattress placed on the ground or one that is only slightly raised.
A cabin bed
If you’re going for a cosy bedroom feel, you might consider pairing the bed with a rug or some fun pillows to cushion the odd tumbling over. Perhaps place a few decorative objects to give the bed some personality. But the must-have? A cabin bed that combines the educational aspect of sleeping near the floor with the feeling of being wrapped up and snug in a cosy space. Like in Eva’s child room, for example.
A canopy bed
If you do not wish to change the furniture in your child’s room but still want to introduce Montessori elements in small ways, consider a canopy bed. This is an idea that Jen really put to great use! In addition to creating a space apart, her canopy bed becomes a soft cocoon in which she can curl up and fall into a deep, restorative sleep.
Beds and mattresses close to the floor have many advantages. First and foremost, they provide toddlers with the chance to get in and out of bed on their own. They learn to regulate their sleep independently from a very young age, without the help of their parents.
Complete the bed area with a LOU stool as a bedside table. Practical and multifunctional, this decorative object is ideal for a child’s bedroom.
LOU STOOLSA play area that evolves as your child grows
The essential principle of a Montessori education is to allow the child to choose the activity they want to do to develop their motor skills. In drawers that are easy to open and close for little hands, place a maximum of 4 or 5 toys well within your child’s reach.
A tidy and organised play area
Another pillar of the Montessori method is a clutter-free room. In order for the child to concentrate on their activity, they must be guarded against over-stimulation. Indeed, we are impressed with the play table designed by Marlene and paired with our 43cm TIPTOE table legs. This creates a pure play area that can also serve as a kitchen, and why not a place to lay a track for toy cars?
Toy placement
All other unused games should be placed up high and out of sight, so as not to avoid distracting your child. Our advice? Regularly change the selection of games that are within reach. This is a clever way to allow your children to rediscover their many toys and to keep them interested.
Caroline had the ingenious idea of placing her children’s toys and books on solid oak shelves. A decorative and practical storage solution!
Delineate space in the room for physical activity
Why not use a floor mat to define the children’s play area? Even the smallest children will enjoy learning to roll over and crawl, or even take their first steps on its soft surface. They might enjoy trying a few somersaults on Daniela’s lion mat or Marine’s bulrush mat. Wouldn’t you?
As soon as they are old enough to tidy up, it is important to keep your toddlers active in their environment. The Montessori philosophy encourages children to perform tasks on their own to develop their motor skills, provided they are taught how beforehand. Take the time to teach your child how to put toys away and keep their space free of clutter.
our children's furnitureSecuring the child’s room
Letting children go about their business and encouraging them to explore their world is one of the foundations of this art of living. It’s easy to see why it’s important to make your child’s room safe, with soft coverings or furniture with rounded corners, for example. And that’s good looking out! With the 43cm table legs from TIPTOE, you can adapt any shape of table top. In Tatiana’s home, the round table allows her to play freely and safely.
A wardrobe within reach
Choosing clothes is part of learning to be independent. The time when our parents forced us to dress in a certain way is a bygone era, and something that the under-twenty have never known. Today, children also have a say in what they wear. To help them get involved in their daily lives, we present them with a few suggested outfits depending on the weather and the season. And we leave them to fend for themselves, or almost!
Again, bear in mind the essence of the Montessori philosophy, which is showing the child how to put each item of clothing on before letting them practice on their own.
To make their little outfits and shoes accessible, think of the right wardrobe! The Internet is crawling with wardrobe models for children. But you can also make your own. With a coat rack, like in Sladjana’s room. Or with shelves that you can put together with our BRACKET wall mounts, which Karl has used to install a board with a hook on it. Very clever!
A relaxing space to recharge their batteries and dream…
The Montessori method encourages children from an early age to listen to their needs and channel their energy. After the hustle and bustle of stimulating activities, your child may feel the need to rest and recharge their batteries. That’s why it’s important to create a cosy relaxation area.
We love the small, soft bench in pastel shades designed by Marla. Soft colours help your child relax! But our favourite is Tatiana and her mound of floor cushions and quilts. A successful set up that offers unparalleled comfort to her little girl who looks delighted!
A bookcase for storing books
For an optimal relaxation area, don’t forget to install a bookcase nearby. Books are a fundamental element of Montessori education. It projects the child into a kind of daydream state and develops their imagination: essential qualities that teach them to centre themselves and concentrate. To remain faithful to the Montessori method, place the books at child height, with the covers facing the child.
Our tip? Use the shelves to display your toddlers’ books. And regularly change the books they can see to help arouse their interest and curiosity. This is an idea that Ella has put to good use in her twins’ bedroom.
A modular reading corner
We love the relaxation area created by Svetlana with our DUKE bench made of oak. Books, toys, cuddly stuffed animals, blankets and cushions are neatly arranged below to make room for a miniature tree house. You already know where your child will be reading!
A “creative leisure” area for budding artists
This is perhaps the most important area of the Montessori philosophy. Each child should be able to express themselves freely through artistic activities that they can carry out independently. Kneading, pawing, drawing: what a pleasure to see them free to grow and develop!
But to prevent play time and daydreaming from turning into a nightmare, it is important to arrange the space properly. Choose a table and a small chair adapted to the morphology of toddlers. And keep sheets of paper and coloured pencils out and freely available, for example.
TIPTOE has designed children’s desks in wood or recycled plastic and the MINI LOU stools specifically for children aged 3 to 6. Lightweight and easy to handle, children can move them as they please in their room or further away! KIDS is a collection of furniture for children in bright colours; simple and functional, and perfectly adapted to their height.
For parents, find all you need to know about how to create an office corner in their room here.
In addition to colouring, you can introduce your children to modelling clay, sand modelling or painting. The must-have? A blackboard and chalk to let them try their hand at art, and to start again as soon as they have erased a previous drawing. This is perfect for developing independence.
As mischievous as it is ingenious, TIPTOE has come up with the reversible VICE VERSA desk. On the front, white laminate. On the back, a wipeable blackboard. A smart and highly-prized gift idea!
To sharpen the motor skills and sense of responsibility of youngsters, why not give them a plant to look after? Watering, pruning or simply observing are all tasks that they are capable of doing. Don’t underestimate their abilities and look to see the pride on their faces when they are able to take care of something all by themselves!
The TUTTI FRUTTI children’s desk and the seat of the MINI LOU stool in recycled plastic have been made from old children’s toys. Its unique design is reminiscent of paint splotches and will stimulate your children’s creativity. Olivia’s and Line’s children would not disagree!
As you may have well understood, the Montessori philosophy is a true art of living that requires patience and availability in terms of time and mind. Do not feel guilty if you are unable to implement all the precepts of this educational method. In no way does that mean you are a bad parent!
Pick out the tips and tricks that appeal to you the most when designing your children’s room, and use them to your advantage in a light and cheery way!
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