From birth, children are in a sensitive period for movement. In the first year of life, they pass through and master many stages of movement.
They learn to reach, grasp, roll, crawl, sit, stand, and walk, along with many stages in between… There is a lot of practice that is required to progress through each stage of movement.
We can help our babies to maximise this period by preparing a safe environment where they can move and also allow time and opportunity to move.
Freedom of movement during infancy is regarded as essential for a child’s natural development. Dr. Montessori believed that infants should have the opportunity to move and explore their surroundings without unnecessary restrictions, as it allows them to develop their motor skills, coordination, and a sense of independence at their own pace. This freedom to move is seen as a fundamental aspect of respecting and supporting a child’s innate curiosity and developmental needs.
Our Nido environment offers a prepared, well-planned space for children to learn and grow. In our environment we have low shelving, smaller chairs, and a safe sleep space – these all support our children to reach and grab materials from the shelf. With attentive, respectful supervision, our infants and toddlers freely move about their environment, sensorially exploring and learning along the way