If your new to the Montessori world, there are several terms that you may hear and wonder what exactly we’re talking about. The movement mat is simply a surface that the child will associate with freedom to move their body however they choose. At first the movement mat may be a blanket or Toppocino that allows a newborn to view their environment, mobile or mirrors while laying on their back. Some families keep their movement mat in one area, I moved our mat around the house, but made sure to use the mat each time so that our baby would associate these materials with activity.

We simply used an IKEA gym mat, all of my kids have one, and placed a homemade crocheted blanket on top, during the winter months. We would add different items like his mobile or lay on the ground next to him and play or read to him.

Ideally your child wouldn’t sleep on the movement mat, we want them to learn that their bed/cot is for sleeping and that the movement is for, well, movement. Just like you cook in the kitchen but not in the bathroom, and you sleep in your bed and not on your porch. Different areas of our home are designed for certain purposes, and even children from a very young age can learn this.