Montessori Bedroom

After a lot of discussion and research, Ryan and I decided that we wanted to set up a Montessori bedroom for M.  We aren't following all of the aspects, however we decided to use quite a few.

If you want to know more about the Montessori set up, you can Google "Montessori bedroom" and you will find a TON of great information.  Essentially, however, the Montessori bedroom is a room set up on the child's level.  Everything is down at their line of site and within their reach.  It helps promote independence and autonomy.

So, off we went on Saturday to pick up a new twin size mattress for M.  We took her up to Pure Sleep and tested out a bunch of different choices.  Of course, my child was happiest rolling around and giggling on one of the most expensive mattresses in the store, lol.  We ended up settling on a firm, but not too firm Simmons Beautyrest.  Ryan and my dad headed out to the warehouse in Warren to pick it up while M and I helped my mom put up Christmas lights.

Once the mattress arrived at home, out went the crib, changing table, and La-Z-Boy.  The La-Z-Boy went down into the family room, and the crib & changing table are currently residing in the guestroom until we're sure they won't be needed.  We did, however, leave her dresser in her room.  While this isn't totally in alight with the "everything on their level" mantra, there are several things that need to stay in her room, but out of her reach (read: monitor, humidifier, clock, etc).  So, the dresser houses those items and also block the outlet they are all plugged into.

We ran out of time on Saturday to do any more with the room, but we were able to get the bed all set up and the child-proof nightlight installed.  M's first night on the mattress went pretty well.  She ended up off the mattress a total of 3 times.  The first time she didn't even wake up.  The next two times were at 11 pm and 5 am.  Both times, she went right back to sleep after I called her back up onto the mattress.

Saturday, we ran up to Ikea to get a few things for her room such as a child-size chair and a bookcase to house some of her toys and other items, but it at waist level for her so she can utilize the top as a counter.

Here are some shots of her new room:

I currently have her bed lined with pillows until she gets better at staying on the mattress!

 The dresser and her pint-sized chair!

 Bookcase and chair.  We also put locks on the bi-fold closet doors so she can't get into them and pinch her fingers.  Once she's older, she'll have full access to choose her clothes and get ready.

 Currently, she is only tall enough to reach the cabinet doors which contains some of her toys.

 Miss M thoroughly enjoying her new chair.

 The child-proof nightlight.  She also cannot get into the outlet as it comes child-proofed at well.

The last thing I have to do to complete her room is to get some artwork and other visually stimulating things up on to her walls that are down at her eye level instead up by the ceiling.  I haven't decided yet what I'm going to put up and whether I'm going to put a safety mirror in there or not.