14 Days to Montessori Play

Maria Montessori said, "Play is the work of the child." We aim to clarify what this means for babies and toddlers!

Play is essential in the life of a child. It is through play that children learn, discover, and engage with the world around them.

But not all play is created equal.

What does high quality Montessori playtime look like from birth to three?

In the course 14 Days to Montessori Play, we aim to unveil the unique developmental mysteries inside your child’s growing brain. Through interactive, hands-on, live instruction you'll learn all about the important qualities of Montessori-friendly toys and books.

Learn how to…

Select the right toys to meet your child’s specific need for gross motor, language, sequencing and fine motor skill development.
Create appealing toy shelves that magnetize your child’s attention
Present toys for playtime that engage and inspire creative play
Design a toy rotational system that works for your family
Choose books to read that are wholesome, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate
Inspire a love for reading that will last a lifetime

We’re not going to drag this process out. We know you’re ready to get your playroom revamped and ready to go. We’ve got fourteen days to revolutionize your child’s playtime.

After that, we’ll be hanging out for another two weeks of community discussion as you review the content and make sure all your questions are answered.

By the end of the course, not only should you have a clear idea of what toys and books are truly the best for your 0-3 year old child, you’ll have a head start on all of your holiday and birthday wish lists. High five for that!

Here's Everything You Need to Know

WHEN: Enrollment begins November 21 at 8:00am CST and ends November 26 at 8:00pm CST | Course starts December 2, 2019

WHO: This course is for parents and caregivers of children between birth and 3

WHERE: The content and community will take place entirely inside a private Facebook group

Mark your calendar and join us for all things Montessori Play!

Are you ready to do this with us? Let’s give your child the best possible start in life. Join us for 14 days to Montessori Play! Here are the details you need to know:

Join Us If...

You have (or will have) a child under 3-years-old
You want to learn more about Montessori play
You want to create a stress-free routine for managing toys and play

How It Works

When you enroll in the course, you will be directed to join a private Facebook group. This will be our online classroom. You'll download your Weekly Guide to start your work.

Aubrey and Nicole will go "Live" on video twice. On Tuesdays, we'll introduce the weekly topic and give you concrete information about Montessori play from birth to age 3.

We will also devote time in the Live video for a Q&A. (Yes, you can ask questions ahead of time!) We want to provide real-time support based on your own needs.

Our course is designed to work well in any time zone. If you miss the Live videos, you'll be able to watch the recordings at your leisure. Throughout the course, you'll check into the group forum to see inspiring quotes, read interesting articles, and participate in thoughtful discussion questions about the week's topics.

The Course Schedule

Week 1: What Week

During this week, we will dive deeply into the qualities that make a toy Montessori friendly. We will explore why certain toys and materials are preferred and which to skip.

Week 2: How Week

This week we will look at how to create your play space, how to rotate toys, and how to present them. This week is full of practical advice on how to make Montessori play a reality in your home.

Week 3 & 4: Open Discussion

But wait, we’re not done, yet! During these two weeks, the group will be opened for anyone to post. You will use these two weeks to finish assignments, review course content, ask each other questions, and discuss your challenges and successes. Nicole and Aubrey will be available to offer support. Videos and course discussions will remain available in the group for you to review anytime.

Why We Created This Course

We are both passionate about child development and Montessori-inspired living, but more importantly, we are parents of our own delightful, independent, messy, and inquisitive children! For many years, we've been on the receiving end of kind words and solid advice, and we look forward passing on our knowledge, experience, and support to you.

Meet Nicole

Hey! Seven years ago, I discovered Montessori online and instantly became hooked. Everything about Dr. Montessori's teachings spoke to me and I still can't get enough. I've spend the last seven years reading about (my favorite book has to be The Secret of Childhood), talking about, and learning about all things Montessori. But, more importantly, for the last seven years I've been a Montessori parent to my three beautiful children -- Henry, Nora, and Augustus. It's been through our everyday play that I have truly discovered the joyful existence that Montessori provides.

Montessori has become much more than a hobby for me, it's become my way of life. I am the writer of The Kavanaugh Report where I share practical ways to see the Montessori joy in your home. Plus, I teach a variety of online classes for parents to learn more about using Montessori with their children.

See, I wasn't always a Montessori parent. Once upon a time, I had no idea what Montessori was. I had a house full of every loud, obnoxious, entertaining, junk toy known to man. And, guess what? I didn't have a contented child. It wasn't until we had Montessori play that we saw true joy, intrinsic motivation, and satisfaction.

14 Days to Montessori Play will help you see this joy too. By understanding your child's developmental needs, you can choose materials that help your child reach his/her full potential. This isn't about buying a bunch of wooden toys, but learning to look at the things in your environment in a new and exciting way.

Are you ready to see the joy in your home? Are you ready to learn why Montessori is different? Come hang out with me and my amazing co-teacher Aubrey.

Meet Aubrey

Hi! I’m a life-long Montessorian and a parent of two highly spirited and creative boys, now both elementary age. My husband David, our children, and I live on the beautiful, foggy coast in San Francisco, California where beach walks and forest hikes are the mainstay of our lives outside of the home. We’re full time homeschoolers and loving it!

When I’m not teaching courses online or spending time with my family, I’m usually writing. I’m an author of two books written for parents of young children with a focus on loving and playful relationships: Baby’s First Year Milestones and Toddler Discipline for Every Age and Stage.

While I spent many years working with older children in public schools, I am a certified Infant/Toddler Montessori guide and have hands-on experience in the toddler classroom.

But this course is not about classroom teaching.

14 Days to Montessori play is about helping you understand your child’s current stage of development. We’re going to focus on what makes one toy more intellectually stimulating than another. We’re going to dive into the art of giving a lesson and the best way to read a story to a young child that will improve your child’s vocabulary and spark curiosity about the world.

And this may be child’s play, but make no mistake - it’s important stuff! Are you willing to be a real partner in your child’s playful education? Are you willing to step back and let your child’s concentration develop, resisting the urge to micromanage? Are you willing to invest your time in sourcing a few high-quality toys that are exactly right for your child’s age?