montessoriparenting

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2022/02/ParentingwithAmyandJames.html 

There are many myths about what it means to raise an independent child within Montessori circles. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy dive into the journey of independence and what it truly looks like in a Montessori home. They share how they support children on their individual journeys and the importance of the prepared adult in this process. 

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/10/MontessoriIndependencePodcast.html 

As Montessori parents we need to balance our child's freedom of movement with safety. We always want to make sure our children are safe and able to explore their environments. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy offer tips on how to balance safety, our own expectations, and our Montessori environment, particularly with babies and toddlers. We dive into sleep spaces, multiple age spaces, and adult spaces. 

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/06/MontessoriBabySafetyPodcast.html

In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy talk about ten Montessori terms you should know when using Montessori at home. These Montessori fundamentals are important to understanding how children learn and develop. Nicole and Amy give examples of how to apply these terms in your Montessori home and how they influence Montessori parents.

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/05/MontessoriTermsToKnow.html

Montessori bedrooms can look and feel a lot of different ways depending on a family's space. In this episode, we talk about how they have used Montessori to create their children's sleeping spaces. They explore the qualities that are important to find in Montessori bedrooms. Finally, they address some of the challenges of creating a bedroom space including sharing rooms and what toys to have in the bedroom. 

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/04/shelf-help-ep-49-montessori-bedrooms.html 

This week we return to the topic of screen time and answer some listener questions about how we approach certain screen time scenarios. Questions included how we approach sports, restaurants and traveling. Again, we stress that every family will make decisions that feel right for their own individual families and children. 

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/04/montessoriscreentimeqa.html

As the world slowly reopens, many of us are looking forward to seeing family and friends again. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy discuss how they approach family members and friends who may not be into or know about Montessori. How do we open up these parenting conversations in these cases? This episode includes a discussion on how we approach grandparents, cousins, screen time, and playdates. 

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/03/shelf-help-ep-45-when-grandparents-and.html

In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy talk about raising intuitive eaters and developing a healthy relationship to food. We talk about how we balance offering choice, providing structure, and trust when it comes to eating. We share some of the challenges our families have faced and some of the ways we are scaffolding our kids to success. 

Show Notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/03/shelf-help-ep-44-food-struggles-and.html

Themed shelves for every holiday? Weekly shelf rotations? Open ended toys? In this week's episode Nicole and Amy discuss toy rotations in their Montessori homes. We talk about how we approach toy rotations, themed work, and our rotation rhythms. From our own observations, to actually choosing toys, we talk about everything toy rotations. 

Show Notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/02/shelf-help-ep-43-little-shelf-rotation.html 

In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy address breastfeeding and weaning. From those early newborn days through toddlerhood, Montessori parents can enjoy a breastfeeding relationship with their children. We discuss how to create an environment to support that relationship, and how to respectfully stop nursing when the time comes. 

Show Notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/02/shelf-help-ep-41-montessori-and.html

Amy is back with her new baby Frances! In this week's episode, we catch up with Amy to see how she and her family are adjusting to their new baby. This week we talk about using Montessori from birth and how that can be different in many ways from mainstream parenting. Nicole and Amy discuss Montessori newborn basics including care routines, playtime, and helping siblings to adjust. 

Show Notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/02/shelf-help-ep-40-fourth-trimester.html 

The Montessori approach to potty learning looks a lot different than a traditional "potty training" method. In this week's episode Nicole and Amy introduce the concept of potty learning and talk about what that process looks like for their families. We discuss everything from toilet awareness with infants to transitioning to undies and what happens when there is an accident. 

Show Notes found here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/12/shelf-help-ep-35-introduction-to.html

Holiday celebrations look different for every family. As Montessori families we are looking for ways to include our children in our celebrations in active and meaningful ways. In today's episode, Nicole and Amy discuss their Christmas traditions and how they include their children in the celebrations. From secular to religious ideas, we discuss how we will celebrate this holiday season.

Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/11/shelf-help-ep-34-christmas.html

The Montessori math curriculum is one incredible part of a Montessori education. From concrete to abstraction, children use hands on mathematical materials to learn the ins and outs of mathematics. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy dive into the world of Montessori math explaining a little about how it works, why it works, and how we support our children's mathematical minds at home. 

Find show notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/11/shelf-help-ep-32-beauty-of-montessori.html

Nicole and Amy are back from fall break to talk about the holidays! In this week's episode, we are catching up and sharing how we approach Santa in our homes. While every Montessori family will find their own rhythm when it comes celebrations. We also address the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny. Honest Santa discussion starts at 23 minutes.

Show Notes found here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/11/shelf-ep-31-our-approaches-toward-santa.html

Nicole and Amy are celebrating 30 episodes of Shelf Help this week with a question and answer session. We are answering a bunch of questions about budgets, getting spouses on board with Montessori, sound games, and so much more. 

Find Show Notes Here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/10/shelf-help-ep-30-your-questions-answered.html

Shelf Help will return from fall break on October 26.

Amy is feeling really pregnant lately, so this episode, we check in about how she is preparing for baby. From the perfect age gaps between children to baby must haves, Nicole and Amy discuss the things you need and don't need for baby. This discussion includes our Montessori thoughts on baby bath tubs, socks, sleep sacks, and more traditional "must haves." 

Find show notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/10/shelf-help-ep-29-preparing-your-baby.html

Sometimes it's important as a parent to let go of a little control and say yes to your kids. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy talk about the power of saying yes as Montessori parents. We explore the benefits, challenges, and opportunities that come along with really and deeply following your child. 

Show Notes can be found here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/09/shelf-help-ep-28-being-yes-parent.html

How do open ended toys fit into a Montessori home? What is the deal with pretend play? What kinds of open-ended toys are best? What should you look for when considering adding open ended toys? In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy answer these questions and dive into the world of pretend play and open-ended toys. 

Show Notes found here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/09/shelf-help-ep-27-montessori-and-open.html

Toddlers are so different from babies, and their environment needs to change to meet their needs. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy talk about the transition into toddlerhood and children's changing needs as they turn 1-year-old. From gross motor needs, to practical life and toys, we explore everything you need to know for your young toddler. 

Show Notes Here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2020/09/shelf-help-ep-26-transitioning-to.html