The Kavanaugh Report

I'm deep into my 1st trimester with 3.0 and days are feeling long and slow and hard. Nora has been feeling it too as the usual flurry of activity has ground to a halt. Non-essentials have fallen to the side as I struggle to find the energy to just do the basics.

But, the end is in sight, because some days I feel alright, even a little more than alright. Tired, but not nauseous, sleepy but not pure exhaustion. And, today I took advantage of that and switched over one of Nora's shelves, so here's a look at her Montessori play shelf at 23 months. 

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She has three main shelves in our home for her to use each with three or four toys just for her -- one in our kitchen play area, one in her bedroom and this one. So, even a few changes have been a welcomed sight! 



The new offerings called to her immediately as she examined them. When I watch her play, I'm always so shocked by how big she is becoming, how mature her movements …

Over and over again, I have seen parents complain about their toddlers not wanting to sit still or play with toys. Many lament the fact that they seem too busy to focus on much of anything. And, over and over again I remind them that toddlers are meant to move! 
We cannot underestimate the need to exert maximum effort for toddlers. They are working so hard to develop all their muscles that they often can't stop. Their inner drive to move just overpowers them. I still see this with Nora now, even though she's rapidly closing in on 2-years-old. She still needs opportunities to reach maximum effort and just do heavy work in general. So, here are 20 ways for toddlers to reach maximum effort.


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What are some ways that toddlers can exert maximum effort?  Here are a few easy ones --  Carrying around large purse or backpackUsing large foam blocksWalking over pillows Move a bucket of water Pushing a loaded laundry basket Small weightsC…