toddlers

Apr 22, 2017 12:33pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, On Parenting, Practical Life, Social and Emotional Learning, early childhood development, montessori, montessori activities, montessori approach, montessori blogs, montessori education, montessori method, parenting & toddlers

6 min read

A Deep Understanding

When I became a mom, I realized that it takes a parent to understand a parent. I have been blessed to have a worldwide community of Montessori-trained friends who are navigating the same beautiful, yet often turbulent, waters of parenthood with me.

One of my wisest friends is Junnifa Uzodike, the founder of the Nduoma Montessori blog. She contacted me through my blog some years ago, when she was beginning her Montessori journey, and we have shared countless conversations about motherhood and Mo…

Apr 22, 2017 12:33pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, On Parenting, Practical Life, Social and Emotional Learning, early childhood development, montessori, montessori activities, montessori approach, montessori blogs, montessori education, montessori method, parenting & toddlers

6 min read

Apr 8, 2017 01:34pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under On Parenting, Uncategorized, children, montessori, parenting, time & toddlers

2 min read

One Day

For more than 12 months, Zachary threw stuff when he was tired, or angry, or couldn't find the words to communicate how he felt or what he wanted. Toys, food, china and silverware; it all flew across the house. And then one day, it stopped. Limits helped. Consistency helped. But what was the magic bullet? Time.

I practiced elimination communication with Zachary. By the time he was one, he was diaper-free all day. By two, he was diaper-free at night. Then, when he was 3 1/2, his sister wa…

Apr 8, 2017 01:34pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under On Parenting, Uncategorized, children, montessori, parenting, time & toddlers

2 min read

May 31, 2016 11:04am

By Pilar Bewley

Under babies, early childhood development, infants, montessori, Montessori Materials, montessori method, toddlers & toys

1 min read

Simple Is Better

Most commercial toys try to cram a lot of “bang for their buck”. Imagine, with just one toy, your child will be able to learn colors, numbers and shapes! She’ll practice sorting and stacking while listening to classical music, and each time she does it right, the toy will light up and shout out “Good job!”

This sounds like a great toy, right? Wrong! The best toys are the simplest ones… Click here to find out why and watch a short video!

May 31, 2016 11:04am

By Pilar Bewley

Under babies, early childhood development, infants, montessori, Montessori Materials, montessori method, toddlers & toys

1 min read

Apr 2, 2016 03:45pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, early childhood development, language, Language Development, montessori, montessori education, montessori method, pre-school, pre-schoolers, preschool & toddlers

1 min read

Three Steps to Academic Success

Thirty thousand. 30,000! That’s the number of words scientists say you should be speaking to your child daily to increase his chances of academic success. Most parents reach and exceed this magic number, but how do you know if your child is really benefiting from your efforts? Do you feel you might be choosing the wrong words or confusing your child by rambling?

I’m about to share with you a simple but powerful Montessori technique that will put your worries to rest. To find out what it is, and …

Apr 2, 2016 03:45pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, early childhood development, language, Language Development, montessori, montessori education, montessori method, pre-school, pre-schoolers, preschool & toddlers

1 min read

Mar 24, 2016 01:53pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under Language Development, Practical Life, Science, cooking, cooking with kids, early childhood development, early childhood education, montessori, montessori activities, montessori blogs, montessori method, parenting & toddlers

1 min read

If You Only Do ONE Montessori Activity...

I challenge you to think of one activity that exposes your child to math, language and science, while helping her develop concentration, motor skills, and delayed gratification. It’s not found in workbooks, and you probably won’t see it taking place regularly in most schools (unless they’re Montessori schools).

If you want to know what it is, click here!

Mar 24, 2016 01:53pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under Language Development, Practical Life, Science, cooking, cooking with kids, early childhood development, early childhood education, montessori, montessori activities, montessori blogs, montessori method, parenting & toddlers

1 min read

Mar 16, 2016 04:20am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, early childhood development, montessori, montessori blogs, montessori education, montessori method, parenting, Practical Life, responsibility & toddlers

0 min read

A Little Trust

Mar 16, 2016 04:20am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, early childhood development, montessori, montessori blogs, montessori education, montessori method, parenting, Practical Life, responsibility & toddlers

0 min read

Mar 3, 2016 11:48am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, Practical Life, children, early childhood development, montessori, montessori activities, montessori blogs, Montessori Materials, montessori method & toddlers

1 min read

Ditch the Workbooks

I recently came across a series of workbooks for two-year olds that promised to help toddlers “develop fine motor skills” through coloring and pasting stickers. Do you feel pressured to buy workbooks to support your child’s development? Did you know that your child benefits more from everyday objects you have around your house than he ever will from those workbooks?

Find out how and why here!

Mar 3, 2016 11:48am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, Practical Life, children, early childhood development, montessori, montessori activities, montessori blogs, Montessori Materials, montessori method & toddlers

1 min read

Feb 25, 2016 09:16am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, babies, early childhood development, education, independence, maria montessori, montessori, Montessori Materials, montessori method, parenting, parents, Practical Life & toddlers

1 min read

Your Child Has a Secret

If you’ve been following the Voila Montessori video series, you’ve probably had the opportunity to give several presentations to your child by now. She might have shown interest in some activities, and completely ignored others. Do you feel frustrated when that happens? All that hard work to put together the material, and your child isn’t interested in it!

Find out why this happens and what you can do about it by clicking here!

Feb 25, 2016 09:16am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Theory, babies, early childhood development, education, independence, maria montessori, montessori, Montessori Materials, montessori method, parenting, parents, Practical Life & toddlers

1 min read

Feb 19, 2016 09:31am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Materials, Montessori Theory, concentration, early childhood development, montessori, montessori method, parenting, Practical Life & toddlers

1 min read

Spooning & Point of Interest

This is the first installment in a joint effort between The Full Montessori and Voila Montessori. Every week, we'll share with you a video (by Jeanne-Marie) and a blog post (by me) highlighting one presentation from the Primary curriculum and explaining one aspect of Montessori theory. It's bite-sized Montessori training that you can immediately put to good use at home! If you enjoy this, please share with others so our efforts can reach many families!

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When little children participat…

Feb 19, 2016 09:31am

By Pilar Bewley

Under Montessori Materials, Montessori Theory, concentration, early childhood development, montessori, montessori method, parenting, Practical Life & toddlers

1 min read

Mar 13, 2015 09:13pm

By Pilar Bewley

Under On Parenting, cooking with kids, montessori, montessori method, pi day, Practical Life & toddlers

1 min read

Happy Pi Day!

In honor of Pi Day, Zachary and I made a quiche following this tried-and-true recipe. While not the speediest quiche to make, it was perfect for keeping us entertained on an otherwise lazy afternoon. Here are some pictures of Zach working, to give you an idea of what a toddler can help with. Please pardon the shades; he's 100% three years old and 100% determined to assert his will. And that includes cooking with sunglasses.