The Kavanaugh Report

On our Montessori parenting podcast this week:  It's officially the holiday season! With the upcoming holidays, Nicole and Amy are sharing their processes for thinking about gifts in their Montessori homes. We discuss how we observe our children, determine what types of materials might fit their needs and interests, and share some secrets to creating our own gift lists. Plus, we share some fun resources for inspiration on your own, and how this process evolves as children reach the second plane of development. 

I can already feel some of you cringing as I'm starting to write this post about babies in public spaces. Especially in the era of Covid, I respect that our feelings about germs, exposure to other people, and being given the freedom to explore is different for all of us. If you're not comfortable with this amount of exposure to germs or people, that's totally alright. I'm sharing what works for us and that doesn't have to be the same for your family. Make decisions that feel best for your baby, your family's situation, and your comfort level while still respecting your child and their developmental needs. 

A little over a month ago, Teddy turned 3-years-old. Since his birthday is past our state's birthday cut off for schooling, he did not head to school this year but is getting a bonus year at home instead. While we are mostly still just keeping it really chill and slow, we have started to do more of a homeschool-lite routine with him to fill his days. 

On our Montessori parenting podcast this week:  In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy discuss how chores look in their Montessori homes, particularly in the second plane of development. With a focus on connection, empathy, and consistent expectations we can invite our children to participate practically in our home lives. We include practical tips on how our children to learn how to participate in family life while building executive functioning skills.

One of the most fascinating parts about following a child's natural gross motor development path is seeing all the really incredible ways that babies can move when left alone. Before understanding this RIE inspired approach, I would have said that babies first roll, then sit, then crawl, then pull to stand, then walk. But now, wow, there is SO much more incredible movement that babies can make. 

Offering opportunities for children to participate in practical tasks in the real world is probably one of the ways that Montessori is super unique to other parenting and educational methods. As Montessorians we know just how important it is for our children to have access to real and practical work throughout their days. It boosts confidence, builds fine motor skills, and sets the table for further academic learning. Practical life work really is all it claims to be! 

On this episode of our Montessori parenting podcast -  After a sudden break in our Montessori parenting podcast after a life altering summer, Amy and Nicole are back! In this week's episode we are reintroducing ourselves. Come learn about Nicole and Amy and catch up on their lives over the last few months. We are very excited to be back and to share all about Montessori parenting with you!  Show Notes... Amy's Instagram   Montessori Like a Mother   Midwest Montessori Nicole's Instagram   The Kavanaugh Report   Thanks for joining me for today's podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review in your favorite podcast app.  If you are interested in finding Shelf Help in a podcast app, it is available on  Apple  |  Spotify  |  Stitcher  |  Google  |  Amazon .   ---

With five kids in our Montessori home it can feel like we have an ever evolving need to create spaces that fit everyone's needs. And, that is really really hard with kids that are nearly 11-years apart in age. But, we're trying to make our home work the best it can for us with our huge Montessori renovation . We are finally just days away from completing the work and I cannot wait to share more updates. But something that is done and perfect are our new indoor swings. 

Is there anything greater than the pure joy of a toddler that is super engaged in the activity that they are doing?! Around here with our Montessori toddler, Theodore, that often means some sort of play with trucks and dirt. But, on occasion another activity hits him in just the right place and this week it's been - teeny tiny stickers. 

One of the biggest shifts I made as I've become a Montessori parent has been an appreciation for getting children outdoors. Maria Montessori was clear that in nature children reveal their true selves. Her environments were designed for children to move freely between the indoors and the outside. 

Lately, it seems like as I walk through my home you can see evidence of a huge shift that has slowly occurred lately - more of my children are entering or have entered the second plane of development. That's right, somehow, I have more bigs* than littles. It's a revelation that is hitting my baby-obsessed self really hard. But, it also means that I need to adjust my home and my parenting to meet the needs of the bigger children here in my home. 

Over the last few weeks Penelope's coordination of movement has continued to explode. She is now able to creep along the ground in forward motion, pivot, roll, and pretty much get where she wants to go. This movement is still in its early stages and takes a lot of effort for her. But, it's a lot of fun and she is very motivated to move.