Are you looking an awesome gift for a new or expectant mum? Perhaps for a sister, best friend, daughter or daughter-in-law? I would have bought this for my sister for her first or second baby, or even for myself. The idea is brilliant! The Tuutu Baby Box is inspired by the Finnish Government maternity package, which is gifted to every expectant mother in Finland. The box is filled with the essentials every new parent needs. Running since 1938, Finland has given out more than 3 million boxes in total, and more than 40,000 boxes annually! The focus on quality necessities... Read more →

I wish there was more information online about Montessori with infants. There just isn't enough information available to support parents through these early parenting days. I would love to write more about this period but find myself struggling with daily parenting tasks. When I read some work by Simone, who is better known for her work with toddlers, I asked her to share some of her knowledge and advice here. This is a lovely article by Simone from The Montessori Notebook about the Montessori view of the Symbiotic Period (the first 6 to 8 weeks after birth). I hope you... Read more →

Is the young child capable of concentration? How about a child of one month? How long can they concentrate for? I know that a young child, from birth, is capable of concentration. Sometimes we need to see it ourselves before we can believe it. A young child needs to be given the opportunity to concentrate. They need time and space. They need for us, the adult, to be patient, not to interrupt. We need to provide a home environment that is just right, not too much (stimulus) and not too little. It's what I love about the Montessori approach, it... Read more →

I'm starting to look around for ideas for Otto's playgym. You know I'm hanging his ball and perhaps a bell on a ribbon, ring on a ribbon and a few other interesting toys. I've been looking around for some inspiration! "When the infant, who has been looking at a toy hanging above him and intuitively reaching for it, finally reaches it and makes it move, this is an exhilirating moment. Instead of just being cared for and acted upon by others, the infant has reached out and intentionally acted upon his environment. He has literally "changed the world." Carefully selecting... Read more →

Otto's Montessori room at six weeks! Above in his change area. We have a wet bag on the room door handle for all the wet things, if we are using disposables we take them out straight away. I've previously written about why I love the change area on the floor, it's so much safer. We have two waterproof pads, one is bamboo and the other is wool. Otto on his movement mat and under the Octahedron mobile. Little wardrobe! This will be perfect once he is a toddler. Night light, diffuser and things. The playgym is currently in his room... Read more →

We recently received our order of mini playsilks from Etsy. They are absolutely gorgeous, they are hand dyed and the colours are vibrant. Silk is a beautiful natural fibre, it is a wonderful open-ended material that children of all ages can enjoy. I like the mini size (approximately 11 inches square) for infants as the child is able to play and pick them up without getting lost in them. The larger size playsilks are better for some uses especially for pretend play and dress-ups. We've been using the mini playsilks with Otto already (he's five weeks old). The boys (Caspar... Read more →

I've been making a list of a few toys and materials that Caspar (9yrs) and Otis (6yrs) can make for Otto. I'm thinking of small stuffed toys or perhaps a pillow scented with lavender. Otis would love to do some more sewing. A few other toys come to mind immediately, toys inspired by the Montessori Grasping Beads, Ring on a Ribbon and the Bell on a Ribbon. We've used: a variety of wooden beads a variety of bells - coloured and silver wooden rings thick cotton cord transparent stretch cord embroidery needle (can be useful for threading the beads) scissors.... Read more →

A few pictures from around our home this week. Above Otto on his floor bed. He doesn't really sleep here at the moment, he generally sleeps in a co-sleeper in my room. We have a gorgeous Gonzagarredi (Italian) wooden bed frame, which we have removed for the time being, we will start using it once he can crawl in and out of it. We are moving houses in around three months so we haven't entirely baby proofed this room as we normally would have. Once Otto is crawling we will need to reconsider the low plants and cover electrical outlets... Read more →