The Kavanaugh Report

I can't believe how fast time has gone since we have welcomed our wonderful rainbow baby Nora. And, I can't believe that in just a day she will be turning 2-years-old. It feels like she was just born but has always been part of our family all at the same time. I'm sure this is a familiar feeling to all parents as they watch their helpless newborns turn into these amazing little beings. 
With Nora's birthday fast approaching, I thought I would share the Montessori-friendly items we have chosen to get for her to celebrate! I know I often share lists of toys I like, but here are the choices that actually made the cut for Nora!

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Transportation Puzzle; Wooden Shape Sorter; Length of Block Set; Balancing Toy; Big Sister Books {My New Baby; Waiting for Baby; There's Going to Be a Baby}; Assorted Schleich animals
It can often be difficult to decide exactly what materials you should get for your child when you are purchasi…

Sometimes when people think about practical life work for toddlers they think about tiny little cups or pitchers where toddlers are sitting quietly and transferring beans/rice/water/whatever. In reality these works often end up all over the floor with the toddler and the parent frustrated. This work is often designed for older children, specifically for 3-6-year-olds in a Children's House. 
So, what does practical life work look like for toddlers? What is Montessori practical life at 2-years-old, what does it look like? 

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Well, in a word, it's practical. It's really doing work. It's pouring your own glass of water. It's helping with the laundry.
It is practical.
It's moving chairs and sweeping the floor. It's swiffering. It's feeling needed and respected. It's being an important member of the family. 
It is practical.

It's washing and slicing your own snack, then serving it to your family. It…

One of the ways  that Montessori environments are different from other types of children's environments is that things are accessible as possible for the children. One way that this is done is through the use of open shelving. On these shelves work and materials are carefully organized to meet the specific needs of the children using this space. 
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However, there are so many children's shelving options on the market that it can be difficult to know what to look for when you are trying to find Montessori friendly options. Here are some tips that I try to keep in mind when looking for shelving:  Accessible: You want something that is going to be accessible for your child. Infant shelves will need to be lower, for example, than a shelf for older children.Lightly Colored: I've seen Montessorians go both ways on this one. Many argue, and I agree, that lightly colored shelving allows the materials to stand out in a way that'…