We want our kids to have some freedom, learn to make decisions, and take care of their own needs. Our goal as parents, after all, is to raise capable kids who are ready to venture out into the world. This doesn’t mean that we let them do whatever they want. Kids still need boundaries and safe places to explore, but there is so much they can do on their own.
One of the ways that we can begin giving kids some freedom is by ditching cribs and using a Montessori floor bed. These beds are fantastic and can be life-changing.
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What is a Montessori Bed?
A Montessori bed is a bed based on the work of Maria Montessori and is being made popular as parents incorporate her ideas into their homes. Instead of using a crib which is designed to confine babies and toddlers, parents place a mattress on the floor. This gives kids the freedom to move around their room and take care of their needs while keeping them safe.
Now, this may sound like a bad thing. Who wants their babies and toddlers getting up all night and roaming their rooms? But what it does is help kids build independence. Toddlers can get up in the morning and quietly read books if they are awake before anyone else. Your kids do not have to wait for you to come and get them out of bed. They are in control.
Kids grow up feeling capable because they are! They learn to lay down when they are tired and quietly entertain themselves when they are not.
- Looking for more Montessori-inspired ideas? Check out our favorite Montessori toy shelves and Montessori Mirrors!
Allowing kids the freedom to move around eliminates the struggles around bedtime and around forcing kids to stay in bed.
This can make the evenings a peaceful time for parents to get some much-needed alone time. They can stop engaging in power struggles about sleep and instead step back and give kids the opportunity and freedom to choose to do so. Whatever our kids do is up to them once we have closed the bedroom door or baby gate. Bed can be an enjoyable space. Who doesn’t want bedtime to be a pleasant time of the day?
Are you worried about keeping your kids in bed? See below.
Childproof a Space for a Montessori Bed
To succeed, we will need to create a Yes-Space for a Montessori bed. A Yes-Space is an area that has been wholly childproofed so your kids can roam around to their heart’s content and be safely left to play alone. A Montessori bed requires this because your kids will have the ability to climb in and out of bed even when you aren’t present. These safety measures are what make a floor bed safe. It eliminates the need for the safe space created by a crib.
A fully childproofed Yes-Space takes a bit of work on the front end but will be a lifesaver as kids go through the baby and toddler exploration phase. It will reduce the number of times you have to say “No” or redirect your kids from things you don’t want them to touch or climb on. Anything we place at their level will be things they can touch, explore, and learn from. It will give them a place to build their focus and confidence as they play independently.
We demonstrate a deep respect for our kids when we design a space that meets their needs instead of just our own.
Babyproofing Checklist:
- Place a baby gate across the door
- Cover all outlets with outlet covers
- Install window guards or window stoppers
- Remove tall shelves and secure lower shelves
- Keep cords secured and out of kids reach
- Place corner protectors on sharp edges
- Place toys and books on a low level where kids can access them
- Remove any choking hazards
- Cover the floor in carpet or play mats
- Remove long curtains and the pull cords for blinds
- Keep all plants out of reach
- Keep pets out of the space. It is especally important that babies never be left alone with pets.
FAQ
1. What age kids can use a Montessori floor bed?
As soon as a baby is moved from a bassinet into their bed, they can begin using a floor bed! You can skip a crib altogether, and this does away with the phase where kids begin climbing and falling from cribs. Starting babies off on a floor bed makes for less transition when they are older.
Make sure to use a firm mattress, avoid blankets and pillows, fully childproof the space, and keep pets away from the baby when an adult is not in the room.
2. What types of families is a Montessori bed for?
You do not have to be a strictly Montessori practicing family for you and your kids to benefit from a floor bed. It can build independence in all kids and help to calm bedtimes. It empowers kids by saying, “You are capable of meeting your needs, and I trust you to make decisions!” What a great message for our kids.
3. How do I keep kids in bed when using a floor bed?
The short answer: you don’t.
Parents like to think that they can control their kids and MAKE them do what they want. But at the end of the day, you can’t make a kid eat, poop, or stop crying. You can’t make them sleep even if you keep them in bed by placing them in a crib. This does not mean that you should step back and let kids run around like crazy wild people and do and stay up till they finally pass out on the couch at 11 pm.
What you can do is control the routine and the environment. This creates consistency and a daily rhythm that is important for kids. Set a bedtime and stick to it. After reading books, singing songs, and giving kisses, turn off the lights and let kids rest. If they aren’t tired or a floor bed is new, they might get up out of bed. And that’s okay.
You can place a baby gate at their door to keep them from wandering the house and limit the types of toys available to them. Keep only a few toys in your kid’s room, like books or stuffed animals that they can play with should they get out of bed. These might be the same things you’d be willing to place in a crib with a baby. The rest of their toys can be kept in a separate playroom.
Soon kids will learn to listen to their bodies and lay down when tired. They are given freedom AND limits.
4. What if my kid stays up half the night playing?
Kids might be excited about getting up and moving around their rooms when introducing a floor bed. They aren’t used to this new freedom, but they will get tired and fall asleep. Over time they will learn that their bed is the most comfortable place to sleep and go there when they’re tired. With a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine, the amount of time playing should diminish.
You can try limiting the number and type of toys your child has access to in their room. You’ll want to remove any electronic devices and loud toys or have lights. If you have lots and lots of toys, it might be time for a toy declutter.
5. What size mattress should I get?
Kids do not need a small-size mattress, but it is recommended that babies under 1 sleep on a crib mattress. These are specifically designed to be firm enough to keep them safe. It would also be possible to do careful research and select a very firm twin mattress.
If kids are over the age of 1, we recommend skipping the toddler mattress and beginning with a twin mattress. This will eliminate the need to buy a second one as they grow. A twin mattress is thin enough to be low to the ground should a toddler roll out of bed.
Make sure to select a firm mattress and avoid fluffy bedding. A sleep sack can be a great safe alternative to blankets.
6. Does the Montessori bed need rails?
Rails might seem like a safety feature but are unnecessary because kids are so close to the floor that they will not hurt themselves should they slip out of bed. Many kids will continue to sleep even if they end up half out of bed. Placing the bed on a carpet or a rug can keep them comfy.
But if you have kids that move around a lot and wake up when they fall out of bed, then rails might be a great option.
7. Are there any safety considerations when using a Montessori bed?
In addition to childproofing the room, you want to ensure that your kids cannot roll between the bed and the wall. This is especially important for babies who could quickly become stuck and unable to breathe. Parents can avoid this by placing only the head of the bed against the wall. Leave space around the three exposed sides of the bed. This bed position eliminates areas where kids can get trapped.
In addition, a mattress placed directly on the floor can collect dust or begin to mold due to the lack of air circulation. It is essential to keep the space clean and stand the mattress up every so often to air out the underside and check for signs of mold.
- Looking for great bed options for older kids? Check out our favorite quadruple bunk beds!
Montessori Bed Options
Simply place a mattress on the floor, and just like that, you have a Montessori bed! You can also adapt a wooden bed frame by sawing the legs off if you are feeling handy.
Or there are many stylish floor bed frames available if you’re looking for something ready-made.
1. Twin Size House Floor Bed
This simple bed frame has a cute house design and leaves the mattress placed directly on the floor. It has no rails, so it is easy for you to sit in bed with your kids to read or talk. The house shape lends itself to imaginative play and can be draped with cloth to make a little fort. It is sized to perfectly fit a twin mattress with a total height of 72.8 inches.
The instructions leave a bit to be desired, but the frame is relatively easy to assemble and needs only an allen key. It helps to have a second person hold the pieces when screwing them together during setup.
Note: it is not meant for climbing on and will not hold up if used as a jungle gym.
Check prices for Twin Size House Floor Bed
2. KD Frames Twin Trundle
This twin-size trundle is an excellent way to keep the mattress just off the floor. This helps increase air circulation and limits mold and the amount of dust that collects in the mattress. It is still low to the ground, making it an excellent option for a floor bed.
It has wheels that can aid in moving the bed. This is convenient for cleaning. Placing the trundle on the carpet helps to keep it from slipping around. The trundle frame is extra sturdy and easy to assemble in 30-40 minutes using the provided hex wrench. The wheels can be attached using a screwdriver.
Check prices for KB Frames Trundle Bed
3. Domestic Objects Play Tent Bed Canopy
Once set up, this bed canopy can accommodate a twin-size mattress up to 9 inches thick. The mattress is placed on the floor inside the tent and needs no additional frame. It is excellent for turning the bed into a play tent and looks extra cute in a kid’s bedroom. This encourages imaginative play and creates a cozy, quiet time spot.
It is straightforward to assemble and can be up in minutes.
Note: this is NOT a suitable option for babies. A baby could roll off and get stuck between the tent wall and the mattress.
Check prices for Play Tent Bed Canopy
4. Ashley Piperton Scandinavian Youth Twin Tent Bed
This cute floor bed is a fun alternative to a house-shaped bed frame. The mattress sits directly on the floor inside the frame, which has a total height of 60.35 inches. There is just under an inch of space all around the mattress, which leaves a bit of room for bedding but not enough space for kids to get stuck.
The simple design lends itself to imaginative play and can be draped with a blanket to make a tent. The lack of a railing makes it easy for you to spend time sitting with your kids in bed. Bedtime is a cherished time to chat with our kids about their day.
The setup is extra simple and requires only a screwdriver and the provided hex wrench.
Check prices for Ashley Piperton Tent Bed Frame
Final Thoughts
We hope you will consider a Montessori floor bed and all the ways it can benefit you and your kids. Think about allowing your kids to do more and set up spaces for them to do so successfully. Be patient and allow time to adjust when making transitions and trying out new routines.
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