A regular theme in my coaching practice for parents is to remind them that they don’t have to go out and buy the newest toys to entertain their young ones. Very often, we can look around the home and find everyday objects that make for just as joyful and purposeful play. Placing sets of […]

 In the Montessori method of education, we frequently encourage children to grow and develop new skills through their practical lives at home. The simple task of washing windows with parents is just one great example of this. Asking a child to use a spray bottle to clean the windows exercises their gross motor skills; […]

 A regular theme in my practice as a parenting coach, and in the Montessori method in general, is that of including your children in everyday household chores whenever possible. There is much to gain from these activities, and watering your indoor plants is no exception. The process may begin by showing your child how […]

 To help your child know where their belongings are, a low open shelf is ideal to place only a few well-chosen activities or toys. This shelf is made out of natural wood with rounded corners (see below for DIY instructions). Young children go through what Dr. Montessori coined as ‘sensitive periods’. Order, is one […]

 It’s a simple sequence of steps that, as adults, we take for granted. But in the Montessori method, we understand there is great value for a child to learn the sequence of ironing for themselves. It begins when we go to the closet, remove the ironing board, plug in the iron, lay out the […]

How could I have known, that 7 years later I would be standing on the Red Square in Moscow? We met the first day of our Assistant to Infancy Montessori training in San Diego. Then again, in Amsterdam, not knowing the other one would be attending the Annual General Meeting of the Association Montessori Internationale […]

In my practice as a parenting coach, I regularly advise my clients to involve their children in everyday cooking tasks in the kitchen. Next time your recipe calls for zucchini, why not ask your child to help you peel it? These types of activities are a heavy point of focus in the Montessori method of […]

Other than telling your child to run outside and roll around in the grass, there may be no faster way to connect them with nature than through the beautiful and simple everyday chore of cleaning a household plant. In my practice as a parenting coach, I sometimes advise my clients to read a book by […]

Refreshed and Inspired Last weekend I gave myself permission to step away from the daily responsibilities of family life and running my business to dive back into what I believe to be fundamental truths. Every once in a while it is essential to do so, taking time to refine ones’ practice by attending a ‘Refresher […]

Making Orange Juice by Jeanne Marie Paynel from voilamontessori.com Why Toddlers Making Orange Juice Is a Brilliant Idea As a parenting coach, I love to advise my clients to involve their children in ordinary housework. The kitchen is an especially great place for our young ones to learn important life skills, and offers a laboratory […]