Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy Service (CYPOT)

Low-level sleeping is an option favoured by many across the globe for a variety of reasons, such as safety, culture or accessibility. This consists of using a mat, mattress,  platform or low-level bed to sleep on; reducing risk of falling from a height.

The Montessori Method is one of many techniques that focuses on the development of independent skills in children. This consists of a floor bed that gives the child independent access whilst using parenting techniques and lessons to support the children’s learning of their environment and bedtime (There are many similar options available to research).

The roll-out method aims to support a child in keeping safe using low-level sleeping approaches alongside items such as foam mats to aid a child to roll our of bed safely rather than keeping them ‘in’, reducing the risk of falls from height and allowing the child to develop their understanding of time and place as much as possible.

Following trials of other methods and techniques, or even alongside it may be considered that the environment may benefit from adjustment. This can include some items listed on our ‘Safer at Home – General’ help sheet, or it may include other items such as the use of alternative crash mats (some can be found easily on the open market at present) or environmental padding if found to be necessary   

Restrictive methods inhibit the child’s use of the environment, and therefore, professionals work to ensure they are the last resort and are the least limiting option to support your child and keep them as safe as possible. These can include cots and beds with high sides, padding or other features as necessary. The professional will always work by the rule of all other options and will encourage and advise trials of other options first, where possible. We recommend that families seek professional advice before self-purchasing these options to ensure that children are as protected as possible.