Montessori Baby Play Mat: A Guide to Choosing
The Montessori-style baby play mat is one of the most important investments for your baby's development in the first year of life (and beyond). In fact, this will be his place to play to develop at his best and have fun.
In this article I will tell you all the essential features that the best Montessori-style play mat for newborns should have, how and when it can be used for your little one's first activities.
What is the Montessori play mat for newborns used for?
All parents have surely heard at least once about the Montessori method .
But what is it about?
It is an educational approach developed by Maria Montessori as early as 1897 and concerns various learning activities.
The goal is to promote freedom, autonomy and harmonious development of the child in all its dimensions, including the cognitive, physical, social and emotional aspects.
The Montessori method is very reminiscent of delicate and light colors , with an elegant but simple design (not chaotic).
Here are the characteristics that the Montessori play mat for newborns must have and which we will analyze in detail in the next chapters.
The Montessori play mat is very important for the motor and postural development of the newborn. In fact, it represents the place where your baby will spend most of his time playing in the first year of life.
The play mat will be essential for tummy time , rolling , crawling and his first steps .
After one year of age, the play mat will remain in the child's room as a base for play and bedroom furniture in perfect Montessori style .
Always in line with Montessori pedagogy, the play mat will be your little one's personal space where he can play independently and safely , exploring the environment and the games made available.
This is why my advice is to buy the Montessori play mat already during pregnancy or in the first days of the newborn's life.
When to start putting your newborn on the Montessori play mat?
You can start placing your newborn on the Montessori play mat from the first month of life in a supine position, sitting next to him and showing him black and white pictures, a Montessori mirror or rattles to play with.
Obviously, in the first 2 months of life , the newborn has limited periods of wakefulness and the time spent on the playmat will be 5-15 minutes at a time .
You can start placing your newborn on the play mat from the first month of life, even in the prone position.
To start putting your newborn on the Montessori play mat for tummy time in the first two months of life , some precautions are needed .
You can start placing your newborn on the Montessori play mat in the prone position after just a few weeks of life, alternating the supine and prone positions (and vice versa).
In the video above I show you how and when to start putting your newborn on the playmat for tummy time; below I'll explain it to you in words:
- fold the rug and place it on the kitchen table;
- place the newborn prone;
- get down to your baby's height;
- place it at the edge of the carpet so that it can see you;
- place the baby's elbows under his torso, so that he can support himself enough;
- always hold your baby's shoulders so that you can do tummy time in complete safety;
- alternate the prone position with the supine one and vice versa.
In the first 4-8 weeks of life, your baby will lift his head a few centimeters but, day by day, he will improve so much that he will be able to put the rug on the floor.
When your baby lifts his head and can look forward, it's time to place the play mat on the floor and continue the motor development process there.
For more advice on when and how to introduce tummy time to your baby, you can read my dedicated article.
How to choose the best Montessori play mat for newborns
We have seen the benefits of the Montessori play mat and when to place the newborn on the mat.
Now I will explain to you what essential features the best Montessori play mat for newborns must have and how to choose it.