Are High Chairs Used in Montessori?

High chairs tend to be a part of most babies’ lives. They make it easy for parents to hold and feed their little ones without having to go to a lot of trouble. However, is the same thing true for Montessori babies?

Montessori homes and classrooms use high chairs, though they differ from the average high chair. Montessori parents use chairs that can be used by their children independently. For example, most Montessori chairs allow the child to climb up on their own instead of needing help.

Still not quite sure what exactly sets a Montessori chair apart from others? Read on to learn a few characteristics and the pros and cons of using one in your home.

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What is a Montessori High Chair?

The first and most obvious question is: what are the characteristics of a Montessori high chair? As mentioned before, the beauty of a Montessori-designed high chair is that it is designed to be easy to access, and independently operated by your child. As you probably know, independence is a huge part of what is taught in the Montessori method. Montessori high chairs are built for comfort and ease of use. Most come with a stepstool system that allows children to climb up into the chair without help.

Many chairs also come without a tray. Why is that a good thing? Well, some parents enjoy and prefer having their little ones up close to the table with the rest of the family. High chairs with trays make it difficult to have the chair sit right next to the table with the rest of the family. Montessori chairs make it possible for your little ones to join you right at the table for dinner.

While children can climb in and out of the chair at their own leisure, Montessori high chairs are still a safe choice for babies who cannot yet do so. Infants ages six months and up can safely sit in the high chair, and once they have gained enough mobility, they will be able to climb in and out.

A Montessori high chair could be a great addition to any home or classroom. It will allow your child to practice their motor skills and to discover their independence in a safe manner. Plus, these high chairs are extremely versatile. They can be used by many children and infants with a wide range of age and mobility.

Best High Chair for Montessori

Now that you understand just what a Montessori high chair is, you undoubtedly want to know what kind of chairs (and brands) you want to look for. Here are a few options that might interest you!

First is a brand that you may or may not have heard of: Tripp Trapp by Stokke. One of the very nicest things about Tripp Trapp high chairs is their versatility. They are often referred to as the chair that grows with the child. This is primarily because the chair has three seats or “levels” on the chair that can each be used as your child grows (taller).

The first Tripp Trapp chair was first designed in 1972. Its purpose was to be easy to use, easy to clean, and comfortable for your little one to use. It has a very iconic style that comes in a multiplicity of colors and is said to be capable of supporting at least 300 pounds. The Tripp Trapp high chair is a credible option for most Montessori homes and classrooms with its sturdy build and versatile design.

Pros and Cons of Using a Montessori High Chair

Now that we have addressed what kind of chair you should look for, let’s address a few pros and cons that come with using a Montessori high chair. Thankfully, the pros far outweigh the cons, but there are still a couple that you may want to be aware of.

Pros

Obviously, as mentioned before, using a Montessori chair makes it easier for little ones to join the rest of the family at the table. Because so many families value mealtimes together, it is nice to have an option where your baby or toddler can sit right up at the dinner table with the rest of their clan.

When toddlers discover their independence, they tend to fight the offer of help sometimes. Thanks to Montessori high chairs, that becomes a non-existent battle because your little one can climb up into the chair by themselves. There will be no more screaming and no more fighting with mom over this chair! It also helps that these chairs are (for the most part) attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

Toddlers love to climb, and a Montessori high chair can provide them with a supervised opportunity to do so. This will help your little one to develop a keen sense of exactness and care as they get older and more aware of their surroundings.

Cons

As mentioned before, the cons are far outweighed by the pros. The only thing you really have to worry about with a Montessori high chair is the possibility that your little ones could fall while climbing. It’s not just at mealtimes that curious toddlers might be drawn to the chair. Obviously, they will learn to use it properly over time, but if they get bored and start climbing unsupervised, accidents could happen. However, if you are careful and observant, this should not have to be a problem.