What is "Montessori"?
For those of you not familiar with the Montessori Method, it basically stresses “independence, freedom for the child (within limits), and respect for the child’s development” (As stated by Emily DeJeu from BabySleepSite.com). So in a ‘Montessori Style Bedroom’ everything is in the child’s reach encouraging independence and freedom of movement. The idea of the floor bed is just for that reason, they can maneuver in and out freely and safely from a young age.
Key to Montessori Bedrooms: Floor Beds
Lets start with the ‘Floor Bed’ itself. Most Montessori Bedrooms you will find just a mattress on the floor (which works great!) but I am blessed with a slightly germaphobic husband who immediately informed me that without raising the mattress in some way it could fester mould underneath it. So our solution: We bought the *Kendall Trundle from Pottery Barn Kids* and their trundle mattress.
What is a Floor Bed Anyway?
Okay, but WHY Floor Beds?
1. The first benefit of a floor bed for toddlers is probably the most obvious of reasons. One of the first worries you have as a parent is his or her child rolling out of bed after transitioning them out of a crib. This is something you don’t have to stress about with a floor bed because even if they do roll of, it’s not much of fall at all!
2. Another concern I hear, “They’ll never fall asleep!” They will. It may take a week but they will figure it out and the longer effects of what they’ve learned in the process is even more beneficial to their development.
3. This option can be a much cheaper option than buying a whole new bed. You can make things super cheap and simply put a mattress on the floor and just like that, you have a floor bed. Or you can get creative and make one which is still a money saving idea.
How to Make Your Own DIY Floor Bed