In this video I’m answering a question I hear more and more: “What does my baby really need?” And my honest, Montessori answer is: very, very little—nothing but you and what you can give them. I focus on one of the greatest gifts we can offer from birth: freedom of movement. Babies are born in the sensitive period of movement (Dr. Montessori described sensitive periods like a “light shining” on a specific developmental work), and their inner teacher is driving them to slither, wriggle, roll, scoot, crawl, and eventually walk. I share what I actually recommend for supporting coordinated movement: a safe, open space—often as simple as a clean sheet on the floor. If you need more padding, you can use a movement mat or nap mat with a cover, but the point is the same: give your baby room to move. Then I walk through common “baby essentials” that are really obstacles—Johnny jump ups, exersaucers, swings, walkers, bouncers, and yes, even cribs—because they restrict movement, reduce practice time for gross and fine motor skills, and often move a baby’s body through space in ways they can’t control. I also talk about safety (create “yes spaces”), the risks of overstimulating vestibular input, how adults can become dependent on containers, and physical concerns like posture, tippy-toe standing, pelvic alignment, core strength, and even flat head issues from too much time in seats. My goal is to help you trust your instincts: babies don’t need a lot of stuff—they need freedom to move.