According to the teacher at the Montessori class Henry and I are taking (who, coincidentally, happens to be the mother in my favorite Montessori documentary of all time), the Montessori weaning process begins at two months. “Weaning” at this stage just means introducing the tiniest bit of food.

Here’s an overview of the first couple of months (I’ll share the later months when Henry gets to that point):

• First two months: Exclusively breast feed
• 3rd month: 2-3 drops per day of sweet, fresh, organic juice on a small spoon to stimulate enzymes and to help the child explore taste and texture. Peaches, pears, carrots, watermelon, apples, and cucumbers are

Henry watching the mobile above our bed

Independence is at the heart of the Montessori approach, but not in a Puritanical-I-can-do-it-myself-and-don’t-need-anyone way.

To a Montessorian, helping children cultivate their ability to do things for themselves is how we respect children. We honor that they are capable of doing things for themselves and that they are eager to learn how to do those things.

For example, at my Montessori class last week, my teacher explained that her three children (ages 6.5, 4.5, and 2.5) each pack their own rolling suitcase and backpack when they go on a trip. Then they are responsible for rolling/carrying their own luggage through the airport. She

From what I’ve learned through my research, mobiles are central to a Montessori infant environment for the first few months of an infant’s life. They help children start to develop focus and concentration, which are critical components of the Montessori approach.

Black-and-White Mobiles (at birth)

• The first mobiles are black and white. They are hung 8-10 inches above the infant’s head. The mobiles are changed out as necessary to maintain the infant’s interest. These early black and white mobiles help infants develop visual discrimination, tracking, and focus.
• The first black-and-white Munari mobile can be ordered here
• A black-and-white whale mobile can be ordered here
• A mobile