Whitney Casares, M.D., MPH, FAAP, author of The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting Without Losing Yourself explains, 'Proponents of floor beds note that they provide children more access to books and quiet toys as they prepare to sleep and when they first rise in the morning or from naps, giving them more independence.' They help them develop their sleep independence Uzodike adds that floor beds also allow the child to enjoy an unobstructed view of their space. This sense of their body within space is enhanced by using a floor bed.' 'If you observe, you might notice that when they encounter the edge of the bed, they move back and don't drop off.

'From birth, the baby makes small movements and can turn almost 360 degrees,' she explains. They support a child's gross motor skills and body awareness For example, in Japan, people have been sleeping on floor beds in various fashions since the 10th century.ĭealing With Toddler Sleep Regression Benefits of a Floor BedĪccording to Uzodike, there are many benefits to setting up a floor bed for your child. The floor bed is a natural extension of these ideas, as it supports the child's development of independence by allowing them to get into and out of bed independently, says Uzodike.īut while the Montessori approach might fuel floor beds' increase in popularity, many cultures around the globe used floor beds well before the 20th century. 'This often looks like treating the children with respect, encouraging their independence, and preparing the home with care and attention to support their individual development,' she notes. In the early 1900s, Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, developed what are now referred to as Montessori educational principles, which focus on hands-on experience, movement, choice, and order in the learning environment.Ī concept called 'Montessori at home' refers to parents who choose to apply the Montessori principles to their parenting, explains Uzodike. Getty Images The Story Behind Montessori Floor Beds

Montessori twin bed with rails