On Our Montessori Art Shelves - Making Beads

Typically, my older kids are past the point of many structured art trays. They just have access to a lot of different art materials and sort of go with the flow. However, with all my big kids home from school this summer, I'm trying to add a couple more structured works that allow them to return to work more than once. The biggest hit from this art work, has been making beads from FIMO clay . ...

Continue reading

Montessori Home: Cabinet Shelving

One of the more challenging parts of preparing a Montessori home is creating spaces that work for all your children all at once. Preparing an environment that meets the needs of a baby, toddler and an elementary aged kid can feel really hard. While Montessori schools are also mixed age, the children in the prepared environment are all of the same general developmental stage. This isn't always true at home, and requires some balancing on our part to make it all work. ...

Continue reading

Montessori Parenting: Care Routines with Infants

I can't believe that as I'm writing this Penelope is a whole 6-months-old. It feels like just yesterday that she was a tiny baby newborn snuggled up in my arms. Now, she's rolling around, scooting on her back and just interested in everything in her world.  ...

Continue reading

Montessori Child: Lately at 5

Last night we were having our annual block party in our neighborhood and among the fun and games, Gus came running up to me and said, "Look Mom! I have a loose tooth!" And sure enough one of his little baby teeth was wiggling back and forth with ease. I was shook. I (most definitely) teared up. In my mind, we are nowhere near this phase with him. I don't know if it's a side effect of the pandemic, or what, but in my mind's eye he is still like 3-years-old. ...

Continue reading

Montessori Baby - Favorite Toys at 5 Months

Penelope is such a love of a baby. She is so happy, calm, and observant. I don't think it's super productive to compare babies but she is a lot like Gus was. Very super chill and not very movement motivated. While she can roll to her belly and back to her back, and scoot on her back, she is very content to just sit still and just watch all the action around her. ...

Continue reading

Montessori Considerations for Renovations Part 1

Just about 10 years ago, Morgan and I bought our house. At the time, we had one small toddler and a couple little dogs. Since that time, we've welcome four more children into our family and so many changes have taken place. When we bought the house, we knew that it needed a fair amount of updating and we've slowly worked over the last decade to make the house really work for our style and needs....

Continue reading

Four For Summer: Favorites to Wear, Play, Read, and Learn

The summer season is short and oh so sweet here. The amazing thing about where we live is that we really get four full seasons. It's as hot in the summer (into the 90-100s F frequently) as it is cold in the winter (with weeks below 0.) This time of year we are enjoying popsicles, sunshine, water, and being outside as much as possible. In celebration of my personal favorite season, here are a few favorites for this wonderful season for both toddlers and preschoolers. ...

Continue reading