When you read Montessori ideas about sensitive periods from birth to age 6, you’ll find two sensitive periods that include babies. Those, of course, are the sensitive periods for movement and language.
I want to share some helpful videos from Educational Video Publishing that will show the importance of those sensitive periods for infants and toddlers. You’ll also find lots of helpful ideas for both parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers.
Infant-Toddler Montessori Videos from Educational Video Publishing
The Sensitive Period for Movement for Infants and Toddlers
“Virginia Varga describes the sensitive period for movement for infants and toddlers and its importance to their physical and intellectual growth.”
Movement
The Sensitive Period for Language
“Virginia Varga describes the sensitive period for language that all infants and toddlers possess.”
Preparation for Life: Montessori Infant-Toddler Communities
Through Educational Video Publishing, The American Montessori Society (AMS) has a very helpful video on infant-toddler Montessori called “Preparation for Life: Montessori Infant-Toddler Communities.” It shows three infant-toddler Montessori programs and is helpful not only if you’re looking for an infant-toddler program, but also if you’re looking for ways to use Montessori principles with your infant or toddler at home.
There are a number of Montessori principles shown in action in the video:
- Safe environment where infants and toddlers are free to explore
- Beds (mats) on the floor that are accessible without adult assistance
- Low shelves and child-sized furniture
- Variety of surfaces for the child
- Activities to encourage order, concentration, coordination, and independence
- Consistency of adults
- Child is seen as competent rather than helpless
- Respect for the child’s need for independence
My favorite quote from the narrator is the following:
“At the core of every decision is a respect for the child’s ability and desire to achieve independence.”
“Preparation for Life: Montessori Infant-Toddler Communities”
What do you find most helpful in the video(s)?
More Infant-Toddler Montessori Resources
You’ll find lots of Montessori infant-toddler (as well as Montessori preschooler) videos at our Living Montessori Now YouTube channel!
I have lots of posts specifically about babies in my Montessori baby category.
I have lots of posts specifically about toddlers in my Montessori toddler category.
I have lots of posts about both babies and toddlers in my Montessori infants and toddlers category.
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Thank you for the blog and video! I have been struggling on creating a better prepared/organized space for my 15 month old daughter without the overwhelming feeling of her stuff taking over the house. I can sense her feeling of frustration over to much “stuff” and the disorganization of it. I also care for a 6 month old and a 11 year part time, so the living room space is shared.
Thanks for your comment, Dee! I have another post that you’ll probably especially find helpful: https://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/08/30/how-to-prepare-a-montessori-toddler-environment-at-home/. Good luck, and have fun!
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Thanks for your kind comment! I’m on my way to visit your blog now!
It’s funny to me that even though I’m just beginning to learn about the Montessori program that I’ve been practicing many of the ideas and philosophies at home with Georgia. I get lots of looks, but it’s important to me that she is as independent as she chooses to be. One thing I really liked in the video was watching the mealtimes. I love the idea that the toddlers (and even some babies!) were drinking out of regular glasses. It’s given me the confidence to start working on getting rid of the sippy cup with Georgia. Great post!
Thanks for your comment, Laura! I love what you’re doing with Georgia! I thought the mealtime footage was wonderful as well. It is amazing how much infants and toddlers can do when they’re given the freedom to just do it!
My son was in a montessori toddler program for nearly two years before moving up to primary this year. His primary teacher says he is so focused, works above his level, and is very social. At home, he’s so independent, asks to do work, to help me with real life. I attribute much of that to his montessori toddler class. I loved his classroom & toddler techers – it was a wonderful class! Thank you for sharing the video.
Thanks, Kelly! I love hearing about your son’s experience with a Montessori toddler program – and the great results! I didn’t have an infant and toddler program at my Montessori school, but I’ve been very impressed with the Montessori infant and toddler programs I’ve observed.
Thank you so much for this video. I work with 1 – 3 year olds in a non-Montessori International school in Japan and I find I’m constantly asking them to not play with the toy box, so much so that I have to take the box away (they all try to sit in it and end up piling too many bodies in the box so one ends up crying…) I was thus rather humbled by the fact that Montessori teachers merely observe. Maybe I’m not prepared enough for the day or we aim to do too many things?… but I don’t feel I have the time to just sit there and watch them. So I am aiming to adopt the philosophy of allowing the freedom to move without being told to stop. And I’m going to stop saying “no”, going to change that to a positive!
Thanks for the video – where did you get it? More advice for toddlers please!
Thanks so much for your comment! The video was on YouTube.com. I would recommend putting your toy box in storage (you can always use it to store materials in your storage closet) and making sure all the toys are arranged neatly on low shelves. That would solve the problem of too many bodies in the box and is a Montessori solution to having all the toys neat and accessible.
Montessori teachers observe whenever they can, but they still spend a lot of time interacting with the children. Good luck with finding the right balance in your school! I’ll have more on infants and toddlers next week.