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Reprinted from:
The Joyful Child, Essential Montessori for Birth to Three
ISBN: 1-879264-09-0
CLOTHING
There are several things to consider in the selection of clothing for
the very young child: protection from heat or cold, circulation, respiration,
digestion, fabric, color, and possibility of movement.
Thanks to advanced medical technology (and mother's intuition) we know
that children have been exercising their muscles before birth. It is important
that, as we consider warmth, we do not impede movement! Choose clothing
tight enough that there are no big wrinkles for the infant to lie on,
but loose enough to provide for digestion and circulation, being especially
aware of the fit around ankles and wrists. These days there is fine, natural,
organic, cotton available for burp cloths, washcloths, socks, diapers,
blankets, clothing. Natural fibers can be completely cleaned and do not
permanently absorb odors like many synthetics, and they provide better
circulation. We look for clothing that is easy to put on so not to cause
unnecessary stress for the child, and adult (overlap necklines, generous
fit); later elastic waistbands and other easy-to-dress features will lead
to independence and a positive self-image as the child learns to dress
and undress himself.
Babies explore their faces with their hands even before birth and certainly
as soon as possible after birth. They need to have hands and feet exposed,
and to wear clothing that allows them to move! I remember well the day
I put the first dress on my first daughter, and put her on the floor.
She was just learning to crawl and the bottom of the dress fell just under
knees and completely prevented crawling! Well, that was the last dress
for awhile because she was much more interested in learning to crawl!
There are lovely colored fabrics used for baby clothing these days, but
we think that there is no fabric as beautiful as the subtle shades of
color of the new baby's skin, hair, and eyes. There is something so peaceful
and old-fashioned about seeing children in soft neutral colors with their
rosy cheeks being the main color. If you choose to use colored clothing
for your infant we recommend that you check on the dyes used if possible
and stick with natural organic dyes if possible.
Of course we all know that cotton seems better for diapers than paper,
but sometimes in our busy lives it is just not possible to avoid disposables—even
though it has been shown that children who use cotton diapers learn to
use the potty a year on the average earlier than those who use disposables
(a time saver if there ever was one). Children who wear cotton pants in
the Montessori Infant community learn to use the potty at the same time
as they learn to stand and begin to walk. The Assistant to Infancy keeps
careful record of when the infant urinates and then simply offers the
potty at these predictable times—with no coercion of any kind. Children
love to learn to sit on a little stool next to the potty, to remove panties,
and to use the potty, just as they love to learn to imitate all of the
other activities going on around them.
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© Copyright Michael Olaf, 2004
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PRODUCTS - For "Clothing"
products, go to: www.michaelolaf.com/1JCclothing.html
The products selected by the Michael Olaf Montessori
staff are very different from those commonly available for children. They
are made of natural materials whenever possible; they are beautiful; they
meet an important developmental need; and they have proven themselves
over the years, or have been well-tested to meet the highest standards.
Products which support this section of Joyful Child, Essential Montessori
for Birth to Three, include: organic, unbleached clothing for the
newborn, pre-fold diapers, and clothing and shoes that encourage and support
the all-important movement of the very young child.
If you would like to order a copy of Joyful Child
to read at your leisure, and to share with non-internet friends and associates,
please see http://www.michaelolaf.net/ordering.html
Return to the Michael Olaf home pages:
http://www.michaelolaf.net
(free information on Montessori philosophy and practice)
http://www.michaelolaf.com
(products)
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