The Montessori Notebook podcast :: a Montessori parenting podcast with Simone Davies

Gabriel Salomão, an educator from Brazil with a rich background in Montessori, shares insights from his transformative journey with the method. He emphasizes the value of silence in teaching and how respect for a child's individuality fosters independence. Gabriel shares a poignant moment with a child who dreams of becoming 'an adult,' and reflects on the importance of consent and autonomy in childhood. His practical tips encourage parents to create supportive home environments, nurturing curiosity and a love for reading.

Listen to a delightful conversation with a six-year-old about her Montessori homeschooling in the Philippines. She shares the freedom of learning through nature, cooking, and art, showcasing engaging activities like self-checking with a number pyramid. The discussion emphasizes the importance of kindness, cooperation, and exploration in learning. Parents learn how to embrace mistakes as part of education while balancing guided learning with independent play. Plus, hear about exciting new resources and the value of practical life skills in Montessori education!

In this engaging discussion, Nusaibah Macadam, a Montessori educator from Malaysia with a rich background in Islamic Montessori, delves into the four planes of development. She shares insights on nurturing creativity in a screen-focused world and the balance between freedom and boundaries in Montessori parenting. Nusaibah also discusses her approach to raising her autistic son as a gift, and how to cultivate social skills in shy children. The conversation highlights the integration of Islamic values with Montessori principles, emphasizing a multilingual and culturally responsive educational experience.

Happy to be back with another Q&A episode. So many valuable questions, it was hard to choose! I've selected the most commonly asked questions as well as a few less often asked but useful to answer as I haven't seen them often discussed elsewhere.In this episode I answer your questions about:when you learn about Montessori, make some changes, and things seem to be getting worse rather than betterhow much to let our children play independently and how much to do together like cooking, playing football together etchow much to show our child how to play with an activity vs letting them explore for themselvesa child who has never put away toys and when asked says, "you do it"training to become a Montessori teacherwhether picture to picture matching is a Montessori activity or notideas for integrating Montessori into the early infant daysdealing with a toddler who is avoiding bedtime and using every excuse and getting up constantlynot interfering with the child and observing them, but feeling like they could be doing something more interesting or meaningful themselvesdealing with family who buy lots of battery-powered toys without being ungratefulwhat to do when friends have battery-powered toys and merchandised toys that you don't allow them at homehow to arrange a sleeping area for a newborn and 3 year oldwhat I recommend as a crash course for beginnersapplying Montessori with children with special needs, ie, physical and learning difficultieswhat type of children Montessori is best forhow to talk to a family member who cares for your infant but is not in agreement with the Montessori approachtalking with a young child about upcoming medical procedures, scars etcfinding space for Montessori with a 4 year old and 6 month old in a small spacewhat to do when your 18-month old keeps getting to the sink to play with waterdealing with a child screaming with frustrationSo many fun questions, right? I hope you all find some useful answers to your Montessori questions.Sadly this episode of the podcast is the last of Season 1. That went by so quick! I don't yet have a date for Season 2, but if you'd like to be kept up to date, be sure to subscribe here to receive my regular e-newsletter with the latest news and always packed full of Montessori inspiration.And in the meantime, there are also lots of podcast episodes in this season to listen to or revisit, you can follow me on Instagram, check out the blog and free resources, and there are lots of online courses to explore too.Til Season 2! Watch this space...Links from this episodeClick here for full show notes: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/your-montessori-questions-answered-2/Want even more Montessori inspiration?- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook- my online courses: themontessorinoteb

I love it when Montessori teachers share their secrets and today's conversation with Nichole Holtvluwer of Radicle Beginnings is just like that. Nichole talks us through why children need boundaries, and we can set these limits in a calm and clear way from a child hitting to a fussy eater. Nichole is so respectful in how she communicates with children right down to making intentional word choices and how she speaks with them to keep them curious about the world around them. She is an expert with Montessori for toddlers, but her advice is relevant for any age child.In the episode, I also give you lots of tips for setting up your home in a Montessori way and answer a listener question about sharing.For full show notes, click here: www.themontessorinotebook.com/children-need-boundariesWant even more Montessori inspiration?- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook- my online courses: themontessorinotebook.com/online-courses/The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

This week I have a beautiful conversation with Junnifa all the way over in Nigeria. You may know Junnifa from her blog, Nduoma or instagram or her school, Fruitful Orchard Montessori. You'll leave this episode feeling inspired to either parent in a more Montessori way, maybe take a Montessori training, or simply to be more calm and present in whatever role you are taking on right now.In our conversation we cover:🌿how she juggles running a Montessori school, her Montessori trainings, being a member of the AMI board, and raising 3 young children🌿the importance of soft hands and how to talk with babies🌿some special Montessori moments in her family🌿building trust with her children including teaching them about telling the truth🌿observing empathy in her two-year-old🌿siblings - helping them take responsibility for each other and what to do if they interfere with each other's activity🌿using baby signs with babies🌿how we can help children build trust in self and their environment🌿observing when there are sleeping problems🌿favourite parts of her 3-6 classroom🌿the brilliance of Montessori elementary including deriving your own formulas🌿the importance of understanding the characteristics of different ages🌿what to do when they are having a hard time🌿AND a big announcement about a secret project we've been working on - yes, The Montessori Baby book and The Montessori Chid book! Coming soon...in Spring 2021 and 2022.I also talk about what we can do to keep our children's love of learning alive. And answer a listener question about why Montessori children seem to be very strong-willed.For full show notes, click here: www.themontessorinotebook.com/building-trust-in-childrenWant even more Montessori inspiration?- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook- my online courses: themontessorinotebook.com/online-courses/The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

Nicole Kavanaugh, a mother of four children, discusses Montessori parenting strategies, sibling relationships, creating intentional environments, self-care, DIY Montessori activities, and partner support. She shares insights on handling disagreements, accommodating different age groups, balancing family dynamics, dealing with miscarriages, and the importance of child-led activities.

Today I share my conversation with Bill Conway which is a little different to others in the series where we zoom out and look at the big picture of Montessori. Bill is the Head of School at Montessori East in Sydney, Australia and I loved getting to ask him the tough questions like "does Montessori prepare children for the real world?", asking him if Montessori is still relevant in today's modern world, and how they deal with conflict in the classroom and bullying. We also cover:parent’s concerns that their child might not finish work or be interested in an areahow to work in a Montessori way with teachers and build a vision for the schoolhow Montessori ideas are also being used in companieshow to build a community in the schoolwhy there is no homework in the Montessori approachlearning to serve others in a Montessori classroom and in societyMontessori and technologybeing a Montessori grandparenthow to live in a Montessori way? andguiding children through uncertain times (a topic that is more relevant than ever)I also talk about kids who don't want to be told what to do and answer a listener question about listening to podcasts in front of your children (!).For full show notes, click here: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/dealing-with-conflict-in-the-classroomWant even more Montessori inspiration?- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook- my online courses: themontessorinotebook.com/online-courses/The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

I had so much fun in this episode catching up with Heleen who used to come to my Montessori playgroup here in Amsterdam with her daughter Josie. We hear all about the Montessori principles they still use in their home now that Josie is 6 and even though Josie doesn't go to a Montessori school. We have a beautiful conversation covering:Montessori at hometheir Montessori spacesconflict resolution between childrenthe grey cloud of early motherhood for Heleen and how she got through itinvolving Josie in daily life - her favourite, folding laundry!heading outdoors in the cityhow they used a Montessori floor bedkeeping our own sense of self during parenthoodhow Josie finds having two mamascouch time - something we all need to do to stay connected if we have a partnerand more I also loved talking about how I'm not a perfect Montessori teacher or parent. I'm making mistakes still, reflecting on them, seeing if I can do better, and just keep doing my best. And I answer another listener question.For full show notes, click here: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/montessori-at-home/Want even more Montessori inspiration?- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook- my online courses: themontessorinotebook.com/online-courses/The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

I loved putting together this episode of the podcast. So many great questions have been submitted about the Montessori approach and today I spend the whole episode answering lots of them. Hope it will be super useful to all of you no matter where you are on your Montessori journey.Topics we cover in today’s episode include:A Montessori approach to night sleepIncorporating Montessori as working parentsDiscipline advice for aggressive behaviour (pulling hair, pinching, etc.) without spanking and convincing family membersMontessori with multiple childrenHaving to justify ourselves to others as a teacher/parentA question about nerf gunsDaily routines and getting anything doneMontessori ideas for storing LegoWhat about duplicate materials with their Montessori classroom?Showing a 1-year-old an activity or taskTearing lift-the-flap booksParenting in a different way to your partnerTantrums in a public placeGetting your child in a car seat when in a hurryWhen a younger sibling upsets the older one’s playSee? So many interesting topics. Let me know what you think and if you enjoy these Q&A episodes.For full show notes, click here: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/your-montessori-questions-answered/Want even more Montessori inspiration?- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook- my online courses: themontessorinotebook.com/online-courses/The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.Episode is LivePublished: Feb. 28, 2020 @ 7AM EditUnpublishAmplify this EpisodeAdd Chapter MarkersTranscribe this EpisodePromote this EpisodeCreate a Video SoundbiteShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInEmail Link to EpisodeDirect Link to MP3