3 Helpful Tips for Following Montessori's Theory On Sleep

Montessori daycare children are especially susceptible to learning and behavior issues related to improper sleep schedules. They can become irritable, have trouble concentrating, or become classroom disruption, and in severe instances, the child may have trouble staying awake during periods of activity. Children need to get enough rest, and these tips will give you some insight into how that can be accomplished.

1. Self-Regulate

Maria Montessori's observations regarding sleep underscored that children's sleep cycles are commonly adjusted for the benefit of adults. This sometimes results in children not getting enough rest, being forced to sleep when they aren't tired, and more. The end result is often a child who is restless, disruptive, or unable to concentrate on tasks. Her recommendation was that children should be allowed to self-regulate their sleep, including having a bed they can enter or exit at will.

      2. Know Your Child

Just as Maria Montessori developed the Montessori Method through careful observation, parents can become more attuned to the patterns of their children by watching them without interference. When your child is tired, she will sleep if permitted to do so, and she will continue her activities when she awakens. You will see patterns developing that help you adjust her sleep schedules to match her natural rest patterns.

      3. Do Not Use Sleep As A Punishment

Forcing Montessori daycare children to go to bed when they aren't tired disrupts their ordinary sleep schedule. Because she understood the importance of a well-rested child, Montessori was very clear that sleep should never be used as a punishment. Using timeouts to address behavior problems isn't an issue, but combining time in bed with the timeout can lead to additional errant behavior rather than solving existing ones.

Parents have busy schedules, but they need to take care not to allow those schedules to interfere with the natural development of their children. Watch and listen to your daycare child. You will quickly learn how her natural rhythms work, and that will allow you to set up a sleep routine that works as well for her as for you.