Here at The Everymom, we’re big believers in the Montessori philosophy and its focus on fostering independence, leading with respect, and nurturing a child’s curiosity. In the past year in particular, we’ve borrowed lessons from this century-old educational method, relying on its principles to keep our homes in order and our little ones engaged, and survive the chaos of pandemic-living.
For toddlers and young children, this methodology feels natural to implement, nabbing ideas we’ve seen in the classroom and making them work in our homes. During my daughter’s first year in a Montessori preschool, we rearranged our kitchen, ensuring plates and cups were within easy reach for her. She took care of a few house plants, learned to safely chop veggies alongside us in the kitchen, and picked up a few easy chores, like sweeping the floor and carrying out the recycling.
The Montessori Baby is a Game-Changer for New Parents
Until now, the Montessori way has been reserved for little ones who are walking, talking, and learning to be a part of the world. That’s why it was so exciting to see The Montessori Baby: A parent’s guide to nurturing your baby with love, respect, and understanding come across our desks.
In this new book from Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike, the bestselling authors of The Montessori Toddler, parents will find sensible, simple advice on applying the same life-changing principles of Montessori to their newest additions, too.
With a shared focus on respecting our little ones, The Montessori Baby aims to arm parents with the knowledge they need to set a solid foundation for their babies—one which encourages them to blossom into kids who are curious, confident, and eager to grow and learn.
From the authors of the bestselling book, "The Montessori Toddler," comes this brand new parenting guide, "The Montessori Baby."
What I Loved About This Book
I’ll admit that paging through The Montessori Baby stirred up some remorseful feelings. I wish I had this book when my girls—now ages 7 and 2—were infants! Here’s what I found most useful while reading:
Reframing how we see babies
From the start, Davies and Uzodike nudge readers to reframe the way they see babies, from helpless, fragile creatures to dynamic little scientists worthy of our respect. Adopting this perspective allows us to view each behavior as a mode of communication, pushing us to ask ourselves what our babies need.
Defining our role as newborn parents
In The Montessori Baby, the authors explain that it’s our responsibility as parents not to entertain, but to properly prepare the space for our children to explore and play. In doing so, they share, we set a good foundation for independent play later on in childhood. It’s our role, Davies and Uzodike say, to act as guides for our babies—not as creators looking to shape and mold the children they will become.
Baby activity lists
One of the most hands-on and practical tools of this book is the collection of activity lists for babies based on age. For each age category, the authors detail simple activities to engage littles one in language, movement, and developmental play.
Source: @thiswildheart
Practical parenting advice
What use is a handbook for parenthood if the advice set forth is too lofty to implement? Readers won’t have that problem with The Montessori Baby, as the authors are quick to offer real advice on creating rhythms around daily activities like eating, sleeping, and playing.
Setting up your Montessori space
The Montessori method is all about prepared environments that allow children to explore safely and freely while caregivers stand back and observe. This book offers an entire section on creating Montessori-friendly spaces in your home to help foster independence and curiosity, even in our youngest babies.
Trouble-shooting tips
I love a book that embraces the messy, fraught realities of parenthood. Here, Davies and Uzodike share a chapter on problem-solving the explosive bits of raising young kids, like dealing with hitters and biters, surviving colic, and keeping your cool when you really want to blow a fuse.
From the authors of the bestselling book, "The Montessori Toddler," comes this brand new parenting guide, "The Montessori Baby."
Who Needs This Book?
Parenting books are a dime a dozen and it’s easy to be inundated with a thousand different philosophies—many of them opposing. If you’re a new parent or awaiting the arrival of a new baby, consider The Montessori Baby a comprehensive guide to your infant’s first year of life. This book covers everything you need, from preparing for baby’s arrival to marking their first birthday, and focuses on creating a gentle, peaceful, and respectful family home that’s primed for a life full of learning.
