When I first started to think about Montessori my little boy was still in my bump and I daydreamed about how wonderful it’ll be to start my Montessori journey with him by setting up a Nido in Montessori.
But everything got different once I had to practice it and I realized I was totally lost. So If you’re also wondering what a Nido in Montessori is and how to set it up then keep reading.
In Montessori, we believe children start to learn from day one (even earlier, when they’re in the womb). That’s why the setup of the Nido in Montessori is essential and perfect to respond to your child’s absorbing mind.
The Nido in Montessori is the earliest prepared environment. It’s designed for infants to foster their independence and learning in a calm and cozy atmosphere.
So here is a complete guide to getting started with the basic knowledge and whatever you have at home.
What Is The Nido In Montessori?
The Nido, “nest” in Italian, is the first Montessori prepared environment to engage the child in a home-like space. It’s the perfect setup to welcome your child from birth to around 16 months old.
The Nido will foster confidence and independence while carefully nurturing your baby’s intelligence and development.
(Maria Montessori believes that our hand helps develop our brain. That’s why we care about movement.)
An Engaging Environment
Since the Nido in Montessori is designated for babies and toddlers, it’s all about creating a stimulating but safe environment for them to:
- Discover their body
- Encourage independence
- Coordinate movements
- Explore and develop fine and gross motor skills
- Explore and recognize texture
- Build confidence
- Build foundations for their Montessori education
The Nido is:
- Bright with neutral colors
- Safe
- Accessible
How To Set Up The Nido Montessori At Home?
Educational Materials For The Nido in Montessori
The Nido Montessori focuses on sensory play and objects and is designed for babies before they can walk. That’s why it stays pretty simple. Its furniture should serve the child’s independence.
Here are the main Montessori materials you need to set up a Nido Montessori:
- A blanket or mat
For them to lay down safely and be comfy during tummy time.
- A mirror
For them to discover themselves and interact with their reflection.
- Black and white images
At a young age, babies can’t see colors yet. They do very well with contrast and black-and-white image though. They’ll start to see colors around 4 months old.
- Montessori mobiles
It’s very common to see very colorful mobiles, but with the Montessori approach, the mobiles are very different. They’re simple and aim for one goal, to develop your child’s sight.
Mobiles are objects you hang above your child’s head to help develop their visual tracking and depth perception.
There are 4 different Montessori mobiles:
The Munari mobile (0-2months)
This is one of the series. It’s a two-dimensional display of black and white shapes.
The Octahedron mobile (1-3months)
The octahedron mobile is the next mobile you can introduce to your baby. It takes its name after the shapes of the hanging objects.
It presents three hanging octahedrons in bright colors. This mobile is to introduce three-dimensional images and primary colors.
Before 7 weeks old babies can’t see colors yet so you’ll need to wait before presenting this mobile to your baby.
The Gobi mobile (2-4months)
The Gobi mobile is a diagonal of 5 spheres of a single color in varying shades and arranged in a gradient. The darkest sphere is the closest to the baby and the lightest the farther.
The Dancers mobiles (3-6+months)
This mobile is to introduce babies to the concept of constancy and change. It suggests human forms made with abstract shapes. It’s made out of shiny paper. As the different parts of the “dancers’ body” individually move it catches the light.
You can make all of these mobiles from scratch or buy them online.
Objects for babies to practice fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Better to be in wood or rubber since it’s most likely that your baby will put it in his mouth.
You can also add some furniture and objects to support gross motor skills such as hard pillows, bump pillows, balance boards, and more.
Vary Natural Materials
Go for natural materials since babies put everything in their mouths at that age. You can try to diverse them like rubber, wood, fabric, leather, etc…
Less is more
My first child got spoiled by his grandparents, he had so many toys that he was overwhelmed and didn’t want to play with them.
So I decided to put some aside for a while and when he would be bored with his toys for maybe a week I would rotate and take out “new” toys from the closet.
So try to follow the rule “less is more”, and you’ll see how your child will be more focused and entertained.
Plus, it is so easier for you to clear up after them and for them to learn how to tidy up.
You don’t need to buy everything in one go. Start with a few items and see what your child likes. You can let him also explore safe household items such as pots and pans, safe being the keyword here.
Follow Your Child’s Interest
By observing your child you’ll notice his interest and tastes and you’ll be able to recognize which sensitive period he’s going through and what materials and activities to propose.
It’s perfect to know what activities and toys to propose to them.
But this is more relevant to older babies, so don’t be desperate if you can’t tell what toys they prefer at 4 months old, I couldn’t either! But it’s a good practice to start observing them.
Where To Buy Materials For Your Nido In Montessori?
Nido in Montessori: The Best Activities
Now you might be thinking: what can I do with my baby? What activities and games can I propose to her?
Here is a quick list of toys and activities to propose to your baby:
- Reading
- Tummy time
- Grasping toys: balls, rattles, …
- Sensory bags
- Sensory bottles
- Singing
- Montessori mobiles
- Stacking toys
Note that these activities are suitable for different ages, between birth to 18 months old.
Here is a more exhaustive list of baby Montessori activities.
Check out these fun taste-safe sensory play ideas for babies and toddlers.
FAQ
What Age Is Nido Montessori?
The Nido in Montessori is a play area suitable from birth to 12 months. But if you haven’t started yet no worries it’s never too late.
What Is A Nido?
The term Nido in Montessori comes from Italian and means “nest”. It’s a safe environment for babies to develop skills and independence.
What Are The Three Main Areas Of The Classroom In A Nido Or Toddler Environment?
The three main areas in a Nido environment would be:
Sensory and Perception
As an absorbing mind, babies and toddlers discover the environment through their five senses.
Motor and Physical
To develop confidence, and independence and meet physical milestones.
Social and Emotional
By giving attention and responding to your child for them to be fully happy.
Later followed by two more for toddlers: Language and Cultural.
Voilà!
Here your go! You should now have a more concrete idea of what a Nido is and how to set it up.
If you have more questions or even tips and ideas to share leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.
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