When I first got pregnant with Henry eight years ago, I got a regular old high chair for him. Knowing nothing about Montessori, it was a standard high chair meant to contain and feed a baby. It was too tall for our table. And not at all designed for any sort of independent use. It was meant for me to place him in, strap him down and feed him. Before Nora was born, I knew the chair was not going to be a choice we made twice and we sold it in favor of a weaning table.
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For well over a year, our little family of four sat together at the children's table for every meal. This way the kids ate independently, yet we were all together. It worked, even if it wasn't the most ideal. When Gus was approaching the time to eat, I was lucky enough to find a Svan High Chair at a consignment sale. I knew immediately it was for us.
Having used the chair now for a year, I wanted to share some of the reasons I LOVE having a Montessori friendly high chair:
- Everyone in the family gets to be comfortable - everyone gets to be comfortably at the table together. The adults get spots that work for us, but our baby/toddler didn't have to eat alone or at a chair that didn't fit his size
- Language and bonding - he's been right up in the action at every family meal so he's getting to be a part of all the conversations, family time and bonding experiences.
- No more toddler fighting - I don't have to fight to put him in the chair, he can do it himself (starting around 13 months) so there aren't huge fights about sitting, something I struggled with a traditional high chair since it was so constraining.
- Grace and courtesy - Gus has gotten to be included in meal times from the start, learning grace and courtesy rules. While these can also be taught at a weaning table, they are more easily modeled when an adult is sitting properly
- Independent choice in amount of food - Gus can also get down from the chair when he is done eating, he learning self regulation over the amount of food, and the length of time he is eating
- Not ugly - the chairs are attractive and provide a nicer view than most traditional high chairs
- Resale value - they are more expensive but unlike regular high chairs, they can also be sold for when you're done and hold much of their value
- Natural consequences - these chairs are not designed to keep a child contained at all costs, so if a child is too wiggly, they find out. This natural consequence has been a powerful way to teach exactness, and care
- Natural climbing opportunity - toddlers love to climb, and this allows the climbing to be purposeful. And, for a child like Gus where climbing doesn't come naturally, it's good confidence boost and practice for those times when he encounters more difficult climbing challenges
If you're looking for a Montessori friendly high chair, here are a few to consider. Look for something that allows your baby or toddler to be as independent as possible. This may look differently as a baby verses a toddler. I know in ours, the front supports that help to secure a baby can be removed so toddlers and preschoolers can use the chair without an adult. You also want something that is going work with your table - so something that can adjust as your child grows, but is at a good height for your table.
5. LANGUR IKEA Chair | 6. Stokke Steps
Have you used a Montessori friendly high chair? Do you like it?
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