The Moms are BACK!
Rachel, Megan and Laura sit down to their dusty microphones for a much needed catch up session. Sit back and relax while your favorite Montessori messes share about life lately, with a few extra confessions baked in ;)
In this episode, Rachel and Laura discuss balancing the elements of fantasy and reality in parenting from a Montessori perspective. They talk about how they handle popular culture, such as Disney characters and holiday figures like Santa Claus, while maintaining a realistic understanding for their children. They also touch on the influence of consumerism on children's characters and how this differs from when Montessori principles were first developed. Drawing from personal experiences, they offer insights into managing screen time, addressing the confusion that modern animation can create, and the importance of intentional and involved parenting. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts01:12 Unscripted Episode Format01:53 Listener Comments and Feedback02:31 Montessori and Modern Fantasy04:02 Navigating Fiction with Kids04:09 Disney and Fictional Characters12:40 Screen Time and Its Impact23:14 Holiday Characters and Traditions30:33 Navigating Beliefs with Children32:34 The Tooth Fairy Dilemma33:29 Balancing Magic and Reality37:34 Confessions of a Type A Mom48:52 Type C Parenting Realizations51:54 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
Laura and Megan do a surprisingly good job of holding a relatively focused, unscripted conversation to share their top tips for maintaining educational momentum over the summer for preschool and elementary-aged children. As always, the aim is to empower parents with realistic, low-maintenance ideas for staving off pesky summer retention issues (aka the summer "slide") while keeping it fun enough that you *maybe* don't completely lose your mind this summer break....? GOOD LUCK.
Finally circling back for the back half of our previous discussion!
As caregivers and/or educators, we all deal with young children who have big feelings and lots of emotions! It is a topic discussed a lot on social media, we see it everywhere today, and it can be overwhelming navigating the new science and guidance on this topic- especially if you are in the thick of it and experiencing some big emotions of your own! Luckily, the Montessori philosophy supports the education of the WHOLE child, and this includes emotional regulation! We are going to dive into that today, and this episode is the first part of a two part episode that covers all the ways the Montessori philosophy prioritizes and empowers emotional regulation.
In this episode of Coffee Talk with Montessori Moms in the Wild, host Rachel welcomes seasoned educator and Montessori coach, Lynda, to discuss various aspects of Montessori homeschooling. With a background in infant and toddler education, Rachel shares her own homeschooling experiences and reveals how Lynda’s program has significantly contributed to her success. Lynda elaborates on the recent changes to her Montessori teacher program, including the introduction of the Montessori Homeschool Bootcamp and the Mastery Program aimed at providing structured, personalized guidance for homeschooling parents. They discuss the importance of systems and support in homeschooling, and reflect on the personal challenges and rewards of implementing Montessori education at home. The episode wraps up with valuable insights on how Montessori should challenge conventional educational practices and encourage lifelong learning.
Check out Lynda's website here!
00:00 Introduction to Coffee Talk with Montessori Moms00:25 Meet Rachel and Lynda01:40 Rachel's Montessori Homeschooling Journey03:12 Lynda's Montessori Programs and Services10:14 Balancing Homeschooling and Work12:56 The Long-Term Benefits of Montessori Education19:33 Favorite Montessori Teaching Areas23:54 Final Thoughts and Announcements
Our very own Rachel Martin sits down with Rachel Merle-Smith of All Things Montessori to tell her story and discuss, you guessed it, all things Montessori!
Check out the All Things Montessori Show here!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things-montessori/id1479488862
In this Coffee Talk episode, Laura, a trained Montessori educator and mother of two, shares her approach to managing children's curiosity about other people's bodies. Laura discusses the importance of exposure to diverse representations, open and honest conversations, and educational resources to de-stigmatize differences. She emphasizes the need to focus on function and respect over appearance, and she provides practical advice on how to guide children through understanding societal norms and the impact of their words. Laura also touches on the broader context of diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering insights for parents and educators navigating similar challenges.
In this short but sweet Coffee Talk, Rachel covers the widespread image of Montessori floor beds. She discusses what their purpose is, as well as what her personal approach has been as a trained infant/toddler guide and mom of three. This one is a great reminder that you don't have to do it ALL to be a successful Montessori home!
Check out our link tree here to find deals on floor beds!:
https://linktr.ee/montessorimomsinthewild?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa25riLBF-5XLUf7nhE-CTAHf2aBB2ymSBlrm-c_c9NHIQLQ0015B6zY3o_aem_9XtlHzorbJb3-1QReyN8Rw
As caregivers and/or educators, we all deal with young children who have big feelings and lots of emotions! It is a topic discussed a lot on social media, we see it everywhere today, and it can be overwhelming navigating the new science and guidance on this topic- especially if you are in the thick of it and experiencing some big emotions of your own! Luckily, the Montessori philosophy supports the education of the WHOLE child, and this includes emotional regulation! We are going to dive into that today, and this episode is the first part of a two part episode that covers all the ways the Montessori philosophy prioritizes and empowers emotional regulation.
In this week's Coffee Talk, Megan sits down (with a surprise guest) to chat about her journey to normalization in her brand new Children's House classroom. Megan shares in what ways she has had to evaluate herself, her approach, her priorities, and how building community through a heavy focus on practical life (and grace & courtesy, but more about that another time!). This episode is a fantastic reminder of why practical life is more the heart of the normalization process, and why it is so very important we don't skip over these often tedious lessons and steps!
Tis the season to circle back and re-evaluate our game plans on tackling the topic of Santa Claus as Montessorians!
Laura and Rachel sit down in this episode to discuss their approaches to rectifying the magic and fantasy of the holiday season's most famous character against the focus on truth and reality we strive for the entire rest of the year!
This one covers how the moms are navigating Santa conversations with their alert and inquisitive 4 year olds, along with how they're handling receiving gifts, giving back to the community, and above all else- modeling respect and empathy for others!
You've asked, and we are finally delivering! Laura delves into the topic of early phonics and letter sounds, particularly for children aged three to six, aligning with Montessori principles. Laura explains a bit about how early literacy and phonics is approached in the Montessori setting, as well as discusses the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction, highlighting its multisensory, evidence-based methods. Emphasizing a child-centered, tactile approach to teaching letter sounds, she provides insights into phonetic teaching practices, shares personal anecdotes, and offers practical tips for both parents and homeschoolers. Particularly, she focuses on the importance of building and encouraging literacy by making the learning process fun and engaging for young children. 00:00 Introduction to Coffee Talks 00:26 Apologies and Acknowledgements 01:18 Today's Topic: Early Phonics 02:41 Understanding Orton-Gillingham 04:10 Montessori and Multisensory Learning 04:37 Challenges with Flashcards 06:58 Teaching Phonetics at Home 09:12 First Pass Through the Alphabet 18:10 Advanced Phonics and Spelling Rules 20:24 Handling Tricky Words 24:52 Encouraging Early Writing 26:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
After a seemingly simple reel goes viral, Laura, Megan, and Rachel sit down to discuss the unexpected increase in followers and social media engagement. The trio explain the philosophy and intent behind their post with nearly 4 million views, address a few of the comments that stood out, and confess how they really feel about being so insanely famous! ;)
In this episode of Coffee Talk with Montessori Moms in the Wild, Rachel, a Montessori-trained mom of three, discusses the challenges and solutions for managing the hectic hours between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. She offers practical tips such as prepping dinner in advance, setting non-negotiable activities for kids, and incorporating engaging evening activities like dance parties and walks to shake it up and begin the wind down process. Rachel emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts and flexibility to create a calmer and more enjoyable evening routine for both parents and children.
00:00 Introduction to Coffee Talk
00:27 Meet Rachel: A Montessori Mom
00:36 The Challenging Hours: 4 PM to 7 PM
02:46 Strategies for a Calmer Evening
04:11 Non-Negotiables and Dinner Prep
05:18 Outdoor Play and Baby Wearing
08:37 Managing Evening Chores and Dance Parties
10:16 Evening Walks and Bedtime Routine
11:19 Final Thoughts and Tips
12:25 Conclusion and Contact Information
In this episode of Coffee Talk with Montessori Moms in the Wild, Megan reflects on her recent thoughts about appropriate consequences for children's behavior, providing insight into connection and collaboration in both the classroom and at home. Megan emphasizes the importance of understanding children's perspectives, offering practical examples from her experiences with connecting with children before redirecting. She encourages parents to join in their children’s world to foster better problem-solving and cooperation skills, while leading by example on concepts like collaborating and probelm solving. This heartfelt discussion aims to spark a conversation on rethinking how we approach discipline and our long term goals for our children.
00:00 Introduction to Coffee Talk
00:37 Meet Megan: Life Updates and Summer Adventures
02:03 Preparing for the New School Year
06:30 Thoughts on Parenting and Consequences
14:26 Joining and Redirecting: A Parenting Philosophy
22:35 Final Reflections and Outro
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Email us at montessorimomsinthewild@gmail.com
In this episode of Montessori Moms in the Wild, Rachel and Laura, trained Montessori guides and moms, offer comforting and practical advice for parents navigating the back-to-school season. They share personal experiences and tips on creating effective morning routines, managing emotional drop-offs and pick-ups, and facilitating productive family conversations. The Moms emphasize the importance of preparation, emotional support, and open communication with teachers to help children adjust to new school settings. Tune in for relatable insights and strategies that aim to make the transition smoother and more enjoyable for both parents and kids. 00:00 Introduction to Montessori Moms in the Wild 00:56 Meet the Hosts 01:47 Life Updates and Homeschooling 03:52 Going Viral on Instagram 05:57 Navigating Back to School Season 06:52 Tips for Starting at a New School 13:23 Creating a Smooth Morning Routine 18:43 Quick and Smooth Drop-Offs 21:45 Handling Drop-Off Anxiety 23:35 Managing After-School Overstimulation 25:22 Creating a Wind-Down Routine 26:28 Balancing Activities and Quiet Time 27:35 Navigating Developmentally Appropriate Behaviors 31:04 Encouraging Open Communication 32:19 Practicing Independence with School Supplies 37:32 Addressing School Complaints Effectively 42:54 Conclusion and Wrap-Up
In this episode of 'Coffee Talk with Montessori Moms in the Wild', Laura, a Montessori-trained mother of 2, shares insights from an excerpt of the book 'Getting Over Your Parents' by The School of Life. Laura discusses the profound influence of childhood experiences on adult life and the importance of parents recognizing and addressing their own traumas in order to avoid paying them forward. The episode highlights key aspects of effective parenting, including attentiveness, empathy, boundaries, and the power of emotional imprinting during a child's formative years. The episode aims to affirm and support parents in their journey to be better caregivers, aligned with Montessori principles.
00:00 Introduction to Coffee Talk
00:21 Meet Laura: Montessori Mom
00:34 Book Excerpt: Getting Over Your Parents
01:12 The Impact of Childhood Experiences
04:44 Understanding the Role of Parents
09:32 The Importance of Early Childhood
15:21 Qualities of a Good Parent
22:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
24:40 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
If you want to read this book yourself, you can find it here!
If you've been listening for a while you already know Rachel's husband works super long hours, leaving Rachel solo from wake up to bed time! Now that she has added a third baby to the mix, Rachel has gotten a lot of questions about how to makes it all work. How does she structure her days? What steps did she need to take to keep everyone safe while meeting the different developmental needs of everyone in the house? Rachel sits down to explain it all in the hopes that she can help other parents out there doing the solo hustle with multiple littles- and zero extra hands!
This week we thoroughly enjoyed a chance to catch up as our beloved Rachel returns from maternity leave as a mom of three! Not a lot of philosophy covered in this one, but join us anyway for a much needed excuse to chat about life lately, parenting wins & milestones, and a fun game highlighting the differences in vernaculars between a southern belle, a yankee, and a California girlie.
In this episode of 'Coffee Talk with Montessori Moms in the Wild,' Laura explores the importance of apologizing to children. She discusses a scenario where a new teacher lost her patience and the guidance provided on handling such situations. Emphasizing that apologizing is a crucial part of grace and courtesy, she explains why adults should model this behavior, how to make an effective apology, and the impact it has on children. The episode aims to offer practical advice for parents and teachers to foster a respectful and empathetic environment for kids.
00:00 Introduction to Coffee Talk
00:22 Thank You to Our Listeners
01:13 The Importance of Apologizing to Kids
04:09 Why & When Adults Should Apologize
08:03 How to Apologize Effectively
15:09 Making Apologies a Teachable Moment
16:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
