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Helping Siblings Share
Five Montessori inspired ways to encourage sharing between young siblings
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Montessori and Santa
Is Santa a part of Montessori?
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Potty Training with Montessori
Potty training was one of the parenting challenges I was dreading. I’d heard horror story after horror story and had built it up to be an impossible task…and a messy one and a stressful one and a long one and a potentially psychologically damaging one. No wonder I was dreading it! However I’d also heard from several Montessori parents that when a child was ready they would potty train themselves. That sounded idea! Where would I find one of these Montessori kids?! As it tired out that’s exactly what happened. Starting Potty Training with Montessori Two weeks ago following his afternoon rest I asked Alfie if he wanted pants or…
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Montessori At Home – Cooking with A Toddler
In the last few weeks Alfie has started using his Kitchen to make real meals. Needless to say I’ve been cooking up a storm as I try to make the most of this interest – for the very first time in my life I’m baking! Blackberry Picking I was delighted to stumble across a blackberry bush thriving in the hedgerow along our lane. I still can’t believe I live somewhere that has not only a lane but also a hedgerow. For me blackberries are always a bittersweet sight. Their glossy black arrival spells the end of lazy hazy summer days and the scratch of briars was quickly echoed by scratching…
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Montessori At Home: Our Work Shelves at 2 Years
Why have we introduced Montessori trays? How did we decide what to include? Most importantly - what does our toddler think of them?
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Montessori at Home: A Toddler’s Kitchen
The kitchen is full of things which pose a danger to a toddler. There are sharp implements, hot surfaces, glasses to break and liquids to spill. Yet the kitchen is also full of opportunity for a toddler who more than anything else seeks the chance to be independent and to make a valuable contribution to their family. Our Kitchen Space We are lucky enough to have space for a dedicated unit just for Alfie. Of course this is not possible in every home but if you can then it’s best to give a child their own dedicated space, even if it’s just on shelf in a cupboard or a low…
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Montessori at Home: Preparing a Toddler for a Newborn
Before Indi’s arrival one of my main concerns was Alfie’s reaction. Would he be jealous? Would he feel left out? Would he experience resentment? Would he become anxious? I think this is a worry that many parents share when introducing a toddler to a new baby. I’ve made a list of all the ways we prepared him to be a big brother and I’ve tried to list them in order of their helpfulness. When I thought about what a toddler would find stressful about a new baby’s arrival I started to understand the amount of changes a child would have to adapt to in a short space of time. My…
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Toy Review: Playmobil Take Along Farm (Playmobile 4897)
The Playmobil Take Along Farm is a new toy in our house. Here's a little bit about how our 2 year old plays with it and how it fits in with our other toys.
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Montessori from Birth: Parenting For Peace
One of the things that people seem to notice most about Alfie (and Montessori kids in general) is his maturity. I don’t mean in the sense that he isn’t childish – he’s not even two yet! I mean in his peacefulness which strangers recognise in his ability to wait patiently, to fix himself a snack, to answer questions or follow directions and to find purposeful activity in whatever environment he’s in. Montessori with a Newborn How has this happened? Through the principles of Montessori. From the start of Alfie’s life we allowed him independence. From the moment he was born we accepted his individuality. We tried to understand that he…
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The Symbiotic Period – Caring for a Newborn with Montessori
The first week’s of a newborn’s life are referred to as They Symbiotic Period. Their primary occupation in this phase is adjusting to life outside the womb. Unlike other phases of child development this phase is shared with the whole family. When you have a newborn it’s easy to forget that this tiny, mewing bundle is no longer an extension of your body! It is important to respect the child during the Symbiotic Period and give them the space, love and time they need to absorb the changes that birth brings. Parents and siblings have similar needs during this wonderful time. What is The Symbiotic Period? “Developing the right type…