Should your child have toys in their bedroom?

A BIG part of Montessori is the environment.

The right environment helps children to develop:

• confidence
• independence
• concentration
• a sense of responsibility

And the bedroom is an important part of this.

Here is what you would find in a Montessori bedroom:

• A bed
• A low dresser or cupboard where they can independently select their clothing
• A small laundry basket for your child to place their dirty clothes
• A small stool for self-dressing (optional: next to length-wise mirror)
• Optional (if there's space): a small table and chair with a basket of self-care items. 

A Montessori bedroom is designed to be safe but functional, with potential hazards secured or removed, allowing the child to learn to care for themselves independently.

But what about toys? Should your child have toys in their bedroom?

There's not one clear approach and it really depends on what's best for your child.

Why You Should NOT Have Toys in the Bedroom

Montessori teaches that every room in the house has a specific purpose, i.e. bedrooms are for sleep and dressing. This appeals to a young child’s sense of order. 

Having a designated function for each area of the home helps children to recognize "this is where I eat/sleep/play, etc". This predictability helps them to feel secure and builds their confidence.  

It can be especially helpful to keep the bedroom exclusively for sleeping/resting/dressing if your child is having trouble sleeping in their bedroom. Being in a room surrounded by toys you want to play with can make falling asleep more challenging.

The Benefits of Toys in Your Child's Bedroom

The risk of making a bedroom a "sleep only" space with no toys is that your child misses out on the opportunity to have a space of their own.

So much independence is developed when a child knows they can retreat to their bedroom to take a break, play with their dolls, read books, etc.

And because you’ve ensured the space and everything in it is safe for your child, you can have peace of mind while they’re spending time in there.

Independent playtime, especially when initiated by the child, tells you "I’m okay on my own" which is a powerful thing for a young child to learn.

Finding Balance

If you want to include a small toy shelf in your child’s bedroom, "quiet" toys like puzzles, animal or people figurines, sensory bottles, books, etc. are recommended. A Yoto Player with story cards would work well too.

The goal is for the space to not overstimulate the child with toys that have flashing lights, loud noises, invite a lot of movement, etc.

Ideally, any toys in the bedroom should also be ones your child can play with independently, meaning they are safe and developmentally appropriate.