Dr. Montessori: “follow the child”

As a Montessorian, I firmly believe in Dr. Maria Montessori’s words: “follow the child.” However when my first two children were infants, I was still figuring out their needs and how to respond.

During my third pregnancy, I was delighted to discover Dunstan Baby Language and learn the tools to really tune-in and hear my infant son’s early forms of communication.

Listening for cues

As a result, I found that Dunstan Baby Language enabled my husband and me to respond more effectively in our son’s early months. Rather than guessing and relying on trial and error if our son was upset, we could hear the early cues for when he was hungry, gassy, tired, or uncomfortable.

Babies, children, and adults thrive when treated with respect.

Our son is now eight months old and has already learned some simple sign language. He can use his hands to communicate when he needs a drink or wants more to eat, and he is just starting to figure out how to communicate the need for a diaper change.

From his first months we trusted that he can communicate with us, which helped lay the foundation for the ways he now connects with us about his needs.

Although slowing down to listen and observe takes a little extra effort, the rewards are great. Babies, children, and adults thrive when treated with respect.

And that’s really what Dunstan Baby Language is about: respecting your baby’s needs and following his lead.

Seeing our son now smile with satisfaction and delight when we understand his early forms of communication is such a gift, and one that will no doubt continue to reward our family in the years to come.

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