When you think about Montessori, there are so many different things you can think about -- the beautiful academic work, independent children, child-sized furniture, or natural materials. No matter what comes to mind, the freedom of movement probably drives some of the reasoning behind your Montessori idea. Allowing a child the freedom of movement is a Montessori essential that cannot be avoided in any Montessori, or Montessori inspired environment. The freedom of movement is so important that it starts at birth with natural gross motor development.
Now that Gus has started moving, and officially rolling, I thought it would be a good time to talk about natural gross motor development. When I first heard the term natural gross motor development it sounded sort of odd. Isn't all gross motor development, natural? What on earth does it mean? But, the more I talked to Montessorians and read, the more it has made sense. But, believe me, I still have a lot to learn.
In really basic terms, natural gross motor development means allowing a babies to develop their gross motor skills at their own pace. Simple right?! It's following a child's path, not rushing to skip steps, and removing any obstacles that might be in the way of movement.
Practically, what is natural gross motor development?
Practically, this means:
- avoiding baby equipment like exersaucers, bouncy seats, swings, and bumbo chairs
- avoiding propping your baby in unnatural positions -- including supported sitting, standing up your baby, walking your baby around, and lifting your baby by the arms {for some people this also means avoiding tummy time}
- giving your baby lots of floor time
- preparing your environment so that a baby can get lots of safe movement
- holding your baby however you like {there may be some people who disagree with me here}
And, really, basically that's it! But, for us, it's been a change! With both Nora and Henry we used some baby equipment. Less so with Nora, but still. This time with Augustus, we got rid of it all -- with the exception of the boppy pillow and a rock 'n play. Both of which we have only used to prop Gus when he has been sick and unable to lay flat.
But, otherwise, so far it has been pretty easy! I haven't missed any of the baby equipment at all! We do, however, do some tummy time but follow Gus' lead. When he gets upset we move back to a more comfortable position. I'm also very comfortable holding Gus whatever way I want, including sitting him up in my lap.
Natural gross motor is not...
- a way to get your baby to move faster -- it's allowing them to follow their own path
- always going to avoid movement issues like torticollis
- perfect for every family -- there may be special needs or circumstances that require more intervention
- all or nothing -- just because you use a bouncer or do tummy time, does not mean you can't incorporate some of these other ideas
With all this being said, Gus is our slowest mover so far {which is totally OK!} and is the only one of our children with diagnosed gross motor condition -- torticollis. He also has significant plagiocephaly and is likely going to get a helmet as a result. None of this was caused by the natural gross motor development, but it wasn't prevented either. {Although all of his physical therapists have been very happy and supportive of his lack of baby-container time!}
Just know your baby is who he/she is and this will just allow him/her to develop according to his/her own needs!
Have you followed natural gross motor development with your baby?
Have you followed natural gross motor development with your baby?
