seasons joyful
MONTESSORI PARENTING, EVERYDAY INSPIRATION, & THOUGHTFUL IDEAS TO NURTURE EVERY SEASON
INSIDE Fold this Waldorf Star Gifts for Whole Family Issue 1 | Winter 2024
Make Your Winter Nights Special And so much more!
This publications contains affiliate links at no cost to the reader. Copyright
2024 Kavanaugh LLC
Contact nicole@thekavanaughreport.com Website www.thekavanaughreport.com Follow
nickav25
thekavanaughreport
henhen25
FROM THE
editor
I’ve always secretly been a mail person, especially around the holidays.
ABOUT NICOLE Hey, I’m Nicole and I'm obsessed with making Montessori accessible for the real world. For more than a decade, I've dedicated my life to sharing bits of our Montessori journey and bringing practical tips to families just like yours. I spend my days with my 5 children, husband, and three dogs. Find me on my website The Kavanaugh Report, my podcast Shelf Help, and @Nickav25 on Instagram.
There’s a certain level of anticipation waiting for the sound of the mailbox and collecting all the treasures from the day. Then, so much joy in flipping through holiday catalogs, cards, and magazines. However, as I became a mom, I realized that we were inundated with print materials each winter that didn’t represent my family’s Montessori values. While a few commercialized toy suggestions aren’t going to hurt, I always longed for something that was a bit more aligned to our everyday experiences. I wanted to challenge myself to change that this year. And Joyful Seasons was born. I sincerely hope that this magazine makes you and your family feel seen this winter. My hope is that within these pages you’ll find toy lists you can share with your children, activity ideas you truly want to try, and recipes that your children can actually help you make. I want to thank all those who took a chance with me and contributed to this publication. I hope you’ll discover some new voices to follow in your parenting journey. Finally, I send you all the warmth, joy, and love this winter. And I hope you enjoy the most Joyful Seasons.
Nicole
C O N T E N T S winter 6
12
PLAY add open-ended play to your winter
CRAFT fold beautiful Waldorf stars
10
18
RECIPE wild rice soup is on the menu
SHOP gift guides for the whole family
20 24
46 RHYTHM make the most of your winter nights
54 RECIPE a traditional Lebanese dessert
56 MAKE celebrate Valentine’s Day
58
59
READ this issue’s book club
PARENTING learn to hold space for the holidays
64
66
ADVENT practical activity ideas for December
PARENTING avoid sensory overwhelm this busy season
74 CELEBRATE create a NYE tradition that feels right for you
80
84
MAKE seasonal play dough
PARENTING love, loss, and observation
82
92
RECIPE granola even your toddler can make
CRAFT paint a beautiful winter garland