Joyful Seasons

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

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thekavanaughreport

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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

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PLAY add open-ended play to your winter

CRAFT fold beautiful Waldorf stars

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RECIPE wild rice soup is on the menu

SHOP gift guides for the whole family

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46 RHYTHM make the most of your winter nights

54 RECIPE a traditional Lebanese dessert

56 MAKE celebrate Valentine’s Day

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READ this issue’s book club

PARENTING learn to hold space for the holidays

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ADVENT practical activity ideas for December

PARENTING avoid sensory overwhelm this busy season

74 CELEBRATE create a NYE tradition that feels right for you

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MAKE seasonal play dough

PARENTING love, loss, and observation

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RECIPE granola even your toddler can make

CRAFT paint a beautiful winter garland

WINTER WONDELAND Seasonal Play Ideas for Toys

open-ended

Have you seen your children reenacting everyday experiences while playing? Especially during their playtime with open-ended toys? This is a natural way for kids to deepen their understanding of the world around them and process their experiences.

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Add accessories & loose parts that bring the outdoor world in!

SAMI KRASNY Sami Krasny is the creator and educator behind @everydaywitheandj on Instagram and the website everydaywitheandj.com. She’s a progressive educator (M.Ed. Sarah Lawrence College), homeschool mom, and block play expert with over 15 years of experience facilitating and supporting block play in homes and classrooms.

Sami has a passion for educating others about what meaningful, child-led, play is, how to support it, and how to uncover all of the learning that’s happening through play!

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t times of seasonal change, special occasions, or holidays there’s usually a lot going on for kids to navigate. It’s a perfect time to offer them some special play tools that can help them to explore their understanding of these special times of the year and deepen their connection to the world in which they live.

Here are some simple ways to inspire your children's openended play this winter and holiday season:

It’s cold and wet outside but you can recreate the season indoors. Try adding a white play silk or any piece of white fabric to act as a snowy landscape. Offer wooden or plush accessories like snow people & evergreen trees that can be added to the landscape to create a winter scene.

Consider adding cotton balls, white pom poms, or wool balls (all great pretend snow options) and resin or acrylic pieces that give the impression of ice.

Offer these loose parts in a divided tray or several baskets so kids can access them easily and build worlds independently.

Light up the dark days!

Since the days are so short in the winter months, I like to offer different options for adding light to building play. My kids love little batteryoperated tea lights and mini LED string lights they can incorporate in their winter season play.

Little tea lights add such a sweet glow to tiny block or magnetic tile houses, and it’s fun to pair a tiny set of string lights with a roll of masking tape so kids can decorate their structures as well.

Consider holiday details!

If you celebrate any winter holidays or other celebrations it’s fun to offer miniatures of some of the items you use in real life traditions.

Our family celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah, so we like to incorporate tiny presents that can be delivered in pretend play as well as a little Christmas tree and a tiny menorah.

Offer craft materials for older children to make their own accessories!

As the holiday season approaches it’s pretty easy to find miniatures of all kinds at dollar stores or in the ornament section of department stores, but older children may enjoy access to materials that allow them to make accessories of their own.

In the past couple of years my kids have made tiny Santa hats for stuffed animals using felt and tiny garlands using string and beads to add to their play.

Collect some fun accessories and loose parts to add to your children's open-ended toys this winter and watch them connect with the season through their play!

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dariy free

CREAMY CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP

INGREDIENTS 32 oz. of chicken broth 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped 1 cup extra creamy chobani oat milk ½ cup of Earth Balance Butter chopped rosemary and sage onion powder and garlic salt

2 cups of chopped carrots 2 cups chopped celery 1 cup chopped onion 2 cups of corn (canned or frozen) 3 cups of mashed potatoes 2 lbs chicken thighs 2 cups of wild rice

COOK TIME: APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS

1. Sear chicken thighs in a hot pan on each side in olive oil, season with salt and pepper; lower temperature until fully cooked. Remove chicken and chop into small chunks.

2. In the same pan after the chicken is removed, saute onions, celery, carrots for 3-5 minutes on medium high heat, adding garlic, salt/pepper, chopped rosemary and sage, and corn at the end. Remove from heat.

3. In a separate pan, make 3 cups of mashed potatoes using any type of white potatoes. Add butter, salt, pepper and onion powder and garlic salt to mashed potatoes to taste.

4. Then, make 2 cups of wild rice separately, and let cool and store in the refrigerator until needed.

5. Combine the sauteed vegetables, chopped chicken, mashed potatoes into a large pot or slow cooker. Add the creamy oak milk and chicken broth. Mix together.

6. Simmer or slow cook the soup in a crock pot for 1-2 hours, adding the wild rice 30 minutes before eating.

MORGAN KAVANAUGH Morgan Kavanaugh is a husband/ father of 5 and feeds them all. Morgan loves to experiment with food and rarely follows a recipe.

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TO MAKE YOU’LL NEED 8 Squares of Kite Paper (choose the color or In the darkest of winter days, there’s one thing that I can always count on to cheer me up: Waldorf window stars.

These delightful stars bring vibrant colors to the dreariness of any winter day or night.

colors that bring you joy) Repositionable Glue Stick Scissors

With just a bit of folding and gluing, you can create them in a multitude of colors, shapes, and sizes. Although they may appear complex, many of these stars are surprisingly simple to create on your own.

DORF STARS

PRELIMINARY FOLDS

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Step 1: Fold and unfold your paper on the diagonal in both directions to find the center point. Turn the paper so that it resembles a diamond shape.

Step 2: Fold the end points on the left and right sides of the diamond to the center point.

I loved this beautiful star for its beautiful center. It forms a lovely flower while simultaneously projecting intricate arrows outward.This star is quite large making it a striking statement piece for your windows all season long.

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Step 3: Unfold the flaps you made in step 2 so that the paper is again in a diamond shape. It should include three vertical folds and one horizontal fold.

PERMANENT FOLDS 6 4

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7 Step 4: Fold the end points on the left and right sides of the diamond to the closest vertical line. Crease into a new higher point.

Glue down this flap.

Step 5: Find the new higher point on the left and right sides of the star. Fold each of those points to the center vertical line. This will create the pointed top of the star.

Step 6: Find the end of the newly folded center flaps. Fold each side back to the nearest diagonal preliminary fold to create the inner center point. Glue down the new flaps.

Step 7: Glue down the large outer flaps.

Repeat steps 1 to 7 to create eight total star sections.

Step 8: Finally, glue the bottom points together making sure the left edge of each piece lines up with the middle of the piece it sits on top of. Repeat the glue pattern for each of the eight sections. When gluing the final piece, slide the first section on top of the last section to complete the star.

You can hang your window star on most surfaces but they look particularly good in a sunny window. To hang, simply use scotch tape or double sided tape and place directly to the window. These last for several years, depending on how much direct sunlight they get.

PRELIMINARY FOLDS Step 1: Fold and cut your untouched kite paper in half. You will need 8 rectangles to complete this star.

Then, fold your rectangle in half and unfold.

Step 2: Fold and unfold the left and right edges of the paper into the center. The rectangle will then be divided into fourths.

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PERMANENT FOLDS 3

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This small single color star is so striking because it is a star within a star. The sharp points draw you in and the intricate patterns make you want to stay. While it looks complicated the folds are fairly simple; the hardest part is gluing the thick center together.

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Step 3: Fold the end points on the bottom left and right sides into the closest fold line to form small triangles.

Glue down the flaps.

Step 4: Find the newly formed diagonal edges and fold toward the center, creating a sharp point on the center line. Glue down the flaps.

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Step 5: Again, find the newly formed diagonal edges and fold to the center to create an even sharper point.

Glue down the flaps and rotate the point to face upwards.

Step 9: Using the new left and right endpoints, fold them to the center line. Glue down the flaps. Repeat steps 1 to 9 until you have eight total star sections.

Step 6: Fold the end points of the bottom left and right sides to the center of the paper, creating a point in the middle. Glue down the flaps.

Step 10: Finally, glue the bottom points together making sure the left edge of each piece lines up with the middle of the piece it sits on top of. Repeat the glue pattern for each of the eight sections. When gluing the final piece, slide the first section on top of the last section to complete the star.

Step 7: Find the newly formed diagonal edges and fold to the center line, creating a sharper point. Glue down the flaps.

Step 8: Find the bottom point of the star and fold it upwards to the bottom of the top folds. Glue down the flap.

GI

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THE GIFT GUIDES CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS AT NO COST TO YOU

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GIFT GUIDE

babies the perfect gifts for the littlest humans

1. CONDIMENT CUPS

2. HABA RAINBOW BALL

These stainless steal cups are an unconventional choice that babies absolutely love to bang, stack, mouth, and explore. As they get older they can be stacked, used as cups, and even become a pretend play favorite.

This beautiful ball is a colorful, sensory dream for babies learning to grasp. It’s the best size to grasp, mouth, and even roll. Babies love to explore the different textures offered by each panel.

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6. BEAR TEETHER

9. BELL AND RING MOBILES

fun for object permanence

cute and functional teething

beautiful Montessori mobiles

4. RUBBER TEETHER

7. CUDDLY BABY DOLL

10. MIRROR PUZZLE

movement toy and teether

soft, beautiful first baby doll

peak-a-boo interactive puzzle

5. CRANK MUSIC BOX

8. GRASP BLOCKS

11. TOPPONCINO

a sweet sound for babies

pincer and palmer grasp

Montessori for newborns

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12. 3-IN-1 FRIDA BABY

13. TUSH BABY

14. MOBILE HANGER

get those boogers easily

convenient hip carrier

beautiful and practical

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15. WOODEN RING STACKER

18. WOODEN NESTING BOWLS

This self correcting ring stacker helps baby to learn order and size.

A gift to grow with your baby from stacking to pretend play, these will last throughout childhood.

16. RAINBOW TUNNEL

19. RADIO FLYER WALKER WAGON

This tunnel is durable enough to last for years while being the perfect size for babies and toddlers.

Whether standing, walking, or running, this wagon is the best way to support new movement and play.

17. OBALL

20. SHAKE TOUCH PLAY BOOK

Easy to grab, shake, throw, and catch makes this a great first ball.

So many tactile sensory experiences in this short and sweet board book for babies.

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1. WOODEN STACKING CONE Intriguing and interesting, this cone stacker is always a hit with toddlers. Made

by Plan Toys, this stacker requires toddlers to nest the inside pieces together from widest to narrowest, and the outside pieces from largest to smallest. It is beautifully crafted, made to last, and allows for creative exploration.

get your toddler learning and moving with these choices

GIFT GUIDE

toddlers 2. HABA BABY DOLL

These soft, yet realistic, dolls are wonderful for young toddlers. Each doll is dressed with easy to remove clothing in simple and sweet styles. There are both boy and girl versions in a variety of skin tones and hair colors. And, bonus, they are machine washable!

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3. TODDLER BUCKET

6. COUNTING RINGS

9. FIRST SCOOTER

perfect size for toddlers

will grow with your toddler

functional enough to really work

4. PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR

7. OPENING CUPS

10. STABILO WOODIES

the playground set is adorable

the possibilities are endless

toddler safe pencils actually wipe clean

5. HOUSE SHAPE SORTER

8. RAINY RANCH GAME

11. WOODEN BIRD LACING

cute twist on a classic sorter

easy, fun cooperative game

introduce lacing to toddlers

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12. POURING SET A fun and easy way to add practical work to your toddler's play.

13. WOODEN GEAR PUZZLE

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This puzzle tests your toddler's logic skills while allowing for exploration.

14. PAINT STICKS Small, quick drying paint sticks that are perfect for toddler hands.

15. YOTO MINI Listen to music, radio, stories, and podcasts all with one screenless device!

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16. FARM PUZZLE Language and fine motor fun come together in this simple knobbed puzzle.

17. BEGINNING PUZZLES

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Transitioning to jigsaw puzzles? This cute set of 2-pieces puzzles is a great way to introduce them.

18. LOCK BOX Fine motor and logic skills come together with this practical and engaging material.

19. STRIDER BIKE Strudy, strong and just the right size, a balance bike will make bike riding a breeze for your toddler.

20. NUTS AND BOLTS

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These sturdy screw toys help toddlers develop manual dexterity with a variety of interesting and practical shapes.

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GIFT GUIDE

preschool engaging ideas for preschoolers from 3 to 5-years-old

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1. AIR TOOBZ

2. MODELING BEESWAX

Explore movement, speed, and force with this unique flexible ball building toy. There are so many possibilities with this toy. Your child can control the air flow, build tracks, and create challenges. This is going to be a toy that keeps kids engaged for years to come.

Perfect modeling material for creative expression that really works little hands.

This modeling material not only looks and smells great, but it takes a lot of concentration and hand movement to get it moving. Kids love the effort, and that their creations stay together easily once complete.

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3. MICRO MAGS Everyone's favorite magnet builders but now in mini size! These are exactly quarter sized and fit four to a regular sized square.

While they may be mini, they have all the safe magnetic power of the classic Magna-Tiles

4. DRIVEN MINI CARS AND TRACK Pocket sized mini cars and track for imaginative play. These tiny, yet realistic cars and trucks have working parts to add to the fun.

The tracks snap together easily and the road signs add another element of play. The tiny size of these vehicles make them perfect for play at home or while traveling.

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5. PLAY DOUGH ROLLERS

8. STENCIL SET

11. WOODEN PIXEL

rollers in a variety of themes

extra large for paint and chalk

match color and patterns

6. BOOGIE BOARD

9. PLIP KIT BUILDERS

12. MAGNI’BOOK

write, draw, scribble, and erase

shapes with a satisfying pop

build creatively or follow pattern

7. PET PUZZLES SET

10. FINGERPRINT BOOK

13. ALPHABET BOOK

realistic wooden frame puzzles

simple art kit with stamping

fun, simple, and tactile

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14. CVC BUILDING tiles and cards for reading

FOR EVERYDAY LEARNING

15. SILICONE NUMBERS sensory feedback for quantity 16. WEAVING FRAME build fine motor skills 17. RIVER PRETEND SET waldorf open ended play 18. GNOME SWEET GNOME logic with progressive puzzles

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19. PICNIC GAME easy to play spinner game 20. SLOTTED BUILDERS castles, homes, and towns

FOR THE GAMERS

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OPENENDED FAVORITES

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1. LEGO APARTMENT

2. WATER ROCKET

This vibrant LEGO set is ideal for children who enjoy building without being tied to a specific theme. It serves as a fantastic addition to various LEGO city sets and offers endless fun for both construction and imaginative play.

It’s science, it’s movement, and it’s pure fun. Pump the rocket full of water and watch how high you can make it fly. Construct your rocket, launch it off, and do it all again. The perfect addition for a STEM loving kid.

we’ve got you covered from 6 to 11-years-old

GIFT GUIDE

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3. FACE DRAWING KIT

5. TETRIS STAX

7. CONNETIX BALL RUN

take drawing to the next level

build spatial awareness

magnet marble run to make it your own

4. THE MAGIC LABYRINTH

6. PYO BUNNY DISH

8. EMPOWERMENT JOURNAL

competitive memory game

for kids that love to create

creatively learn social emotional skills

9. WORKING DRIILL

11. DROP IT GAME

13. STAMP BUGS

a real drill for practical work

luck/logic competition game

creative and endless stamp combos

10. MAILEG MICE

12. POCKET WATERCOLOR 14. SPEED CUBE

cute, intricate pretend play

elevated paint by numbers

move quick to solve the puzzle

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17. ADJUSTABLE NET

mix of color/textures/patterns

tall or short for all sorts of games mix movement and video games

16. BATTLE BOX

18. NATURE LANTERN

20. UKULELE

competitive marble game

design and build your own

play beautiful music

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19. NEX PLAYGROUND

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active ideas for young teens

teens

GIFT GUIDE

1. MINI 3D PRINTER Part technology, part creative expression, this mini 3D printer gives teens the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. This particular printer is designed with beginners in mind so your teen can begin to explore the world of 3D printing without a lot of set up or a strict learning curve.

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2. MS PAC-MAN GAME

5. BOTANICAL LEGO

8. EVENT TICKETS

a classic for your game room

LEGO isn’t just for littles

think concerts, sports, favorite events

3. LIGHT UP WIRE ART

6. BODY MARKERS

9. FANTASTIC CITIES

for the crafty teen’s space

custom temporary tattoos

intricate and detailed coloring

4. HEXAGON LIGHTS

7. SUSSED? GAME

10. STICKER PRINTER

control color and arrangement

funny, quick, and engaging

app controlled, big kid fun

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simple choices for you

GIFT GUIDE

1. LOOP HEADPHONES

parents

These are a parenting must have for everyone with young children. They dampen noise to prevent the overstimulation that often accompanies the toddler and preschool years. Avoid the afternoon grumpies by popping in these and keeping the volume at a more reasonable level without placing boundaries on kids.

2. MATCHSTICK MUSHROOM As Montessori parents we spend a lot of time making sure our children's spaces are cute and practical. It can be easy to forget that our spaces matter too. Adding cute details like this mushroom match box add a personal touch of whimsy to our everyday, practical needs.

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3. NOVELTY SPONGES

6. BRAIN BODY PARENTING

9. MIXING BOWLS

funny with a variety of themes

for the “why” of child behavior

beautiful but won’t break

4. ROYAL VISIT

7.ELECTRIC KETTLE

10. FLOWER EMBROIDERY

simple to learn 2 player game

make hot drinks simple

simple beauty for your space

5. NURTURE REVOLUTION

8. KAHUNA GAME

11. MM SPEAKS TO PARENTS

parents of babies and toddlers

conquer everything in this 2 player game

all the Montessori goodness

1. CHUNKY KNIT

2. PROPOGATION VASES

3. BEESWAX BIRD CANDLE

coziness for everyone

cute, practical science

lovely for winter evenings

for your Montessori home

GIFT GUIDE

home 3. M+L BLISS BINS

These bins come in a variety of sizes for all of your storage needs. Made of hard plastic with a sturdy zipper, they are accessible to children, but still beautiful and functional. They can be used everywhere from diaper bags to storage bins to make your house beautifully organized.

4. CHOWKIE TABLE A wonderful, portable table to add to your Montessori home.

This small but sturdy table can be used for toddlers and preschoolers on the floor. Or move it to the couch and it becomes a lap desk for older kids and adults. It's a great size for a variety of uses and will last for years.

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CLEANING

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KITCHEN

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9. MINI OVEN MITTS

12. MINI WHISK

clean hard surfaces with ease

really work for small hands

toddler sized but functional

7. DRYING RACK

10. GRAPE CUTTER

13. ORANGE JUICER

air dry clothes/art in style

makes everyone’s life easier

make juice all winter long

8. METAL DUST PAN

11. WAFFLE MAKER

14. MINI COLANDER

perfect size and sturdy

make tiny festive waffles

colorful and cute for kids in the kitchen

15. ART STAND

18. SENSORY BRUSHES

21. SENSORY SWING

display seasonal art

explore a variety of textures

sensory input with flexible ways to use

16. MIRROR WITH HOOKS

19. PAINT CUP

22. SENSORY BIN AND TRAY

hang it low for your kid’s needs

beautiful for water or paint

bring your sensory bins to the next level

17. DRY ERASE CALENDAR 20. FLOWER PRESS

23. SILICONE BAKING CUPS

both weekly and monthly

perfect accessory for all types of play

huge for lots of flower work

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1. SARAH’S SIILKS PLAYSILK Soft, colorful, and open-ended these playsilks can be anything your child dreams up.

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2. BATH BOMB These bath bombs come in a variety of themes. Kids love how they change their bath water, but they also love finding the surprise toy in the middle!

3. MICRO SIMON SAYS GAME The classic game in a stocking friendly size, your child can test their memory and fine motor skills again and again.

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4. MAKEDO STARTER SET Turn cardboard into anything with these easy to use, kid friendly cardboard screws and tools.

5. NEEDOH GUMDROP The most satisfying fidget, the gumdrop is easy to hold, squish, and mold while still being heavy and hearty.

6. SCHLEICH ANIMALS Beautifully painted and molded, these animals spark imaginative play and last for years.

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7. HAND CRANK FLASHLIGHT Crank the handle to power up the light. Your kids will love to use this during the long winter nights.

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GIFT GUIDE

stockings small ideas with a big impact

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big gifts for the whole famiily

GIFT GUIDE

big ticket 1

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3 1. STAPELSTEIN ORGINAL

3. SKYLIGHT CALENDAR

These unique bowls can be used for nesting, stacking, climbing, floating, and so much more. Children are truly in charge of their play.

Get your entire family's calendar, grocery lists, meal planning and chore lists all in one easy to update place.

2. NUGGET CHUNK

4. INVENTABLE

A spin on the classic Nugget play couch these round foam pieces can be used to build, rest, and create.

The ultimate cardboard building accessory this table allows children to safely and quickly cut cardboard into anything they can imagine.

WIN NI There are so many hours between darkness and bedtime in the winter months. It can be easy to fall into a rut evening after evening. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Transform your winter nights with these creative ideas for establishing new rhythms this season.

written by

Nicole Kavanaugh

TER GHT

T

here used to be a certain amount of dread that crept into my life as the winds of winter moved in. Winter is a long season in Minnesota. By winter the winding days of summer are long gone and the beautiful, crisp autumn days have faded.

For me, the world turns white, gray, and dark.

So so dark. By mid-afternoon, we are turning on lights and preparing for the evening. My kids leave for school in the dark and come home in the dark.

It’s easy to feel like the day never really comes and the nights last forever.

We turn on the lights, we switch on devices, and we force ourselves to pretend the day is as long as we need it to be. But, there is another way. I came to see the dark winter evenings as a chance to slow down, to connect, and to play.

“I REALIZED THERE’S A CERTAIN

MAGIC

TO WINTER NIGHTS”

But, a few years ago, I realized there’s a certain magic to winter nights. In our age of technology, it’s easy to miss.

In today's fast-paced world, these moments can feel elusive, yet they are more important than ever. If we don’t rush to fill the dark we are given the rare chance to be at home, with our families, and nothing else.

Historically, this is exactly what winter evenings were for many families.

There were fewer hours of daylight, and therefore fewer working hours.

Families were together in the evening, sharing stories, crafting, inventing and playing games.

While there is no need to take steps backwards or to romanticize the past, there are lessons to be learned.

For me the lesson is that with the natural changes that come with each season, so too can we change our family’s rhythms.

Winter nights, especially after the busyness of the holiday season, can be a special opportunity to just be with your family. Instead of the regular work, chores or children’s activities, cozy up to plan something slow and fun at home.

These special nights are not just another long dark day where you have a hundred things to get done.

No, we can choose a different path and see winter evenings as nature’s gift to us. Winter evenings can be a time to slow down, prioritize rest, connection, and fun.

BUT, REALISTICALLY Now, in reality most of us cannot dedicate seven nights a week to rest and relaxation. Most of us do not live in agrarian societies where our workload ceases when the sun goes down.

And most of us do not have the support system it takes to not need to use evening hours to complete the tasks that went undone during the day. But, most of us can find some time to dedicate to a special winter evening or two.

In a very 21st century way, I suggest scheduling these special periods of downtime. There’s no exact right number of special winter evenings you need to hold.

Maybe it’s once a week for your family, or maybe once a month makes more sense for you. Make sure these nights are enhancing your life, not adding more stress.

They can be easy, simple, and cheap. Don’t plan elaborate activities that take tons of set up, clean up, or cost a bunch of money.

Prioritize things that your family enjoys and take into consideration your children’s ages and temperament.

Here are some ideas to get you started

MAKE THEM

SPECIAL HOT CHOCOLATE BAR Make some hot chocolate and have some fun mix-ins like peppermint sticks, marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and whipped cream. Add to the fun by using mugs that you wouldn’t normally use. Put on an audio book, classical music, or a family movie and enjoy your treat together.

COZY READA-THON Everyone gets into comfy pjs (including the adults) and brings some cozy blankets. Grab a big pile of books. Spend the evening reading together. If more than one person can read, then take turns reading aloud. For families with older reading children, everyone can read their own books quietly together. Or maybe audiobooks are more your style - cuddle up and listen!

FAIRY LIGHTS AND STORYTELLING Turn on some fairy lights, get cozy and tell some stories. Oral storytelling is a lost art in our society but very attractive to children. Share stories from your childhood, share popular fairy tales, or stories that are important to your culture or religious background.

DECORATIVE CRAFT Go back to the basics with a seasonal classic and make something decorative with your family. String some dried oranges, popcorn, paper chains, or even the garland project from this issue. It can be something super simple or more involved - but something the whole family can enjoy this season.

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FLASH LIGHT NIGHT WALK Don’t let the cooler weather keep you indoors. Grab some flashlights and bundle up. Go explore your yard or neighborhood in the dark for a whole new perspective. It’s a great way to get some energy out before bed!

CANDLE LIGHT DINNER Turn off the lights and light those candles. Eat with the glow of the warm flickering candlelight.

Linger over the meal and time together. Instead of rushing off as soon as people are done eating, share family stories and memories. Plan a fun dessert or meal that doesn’t require a lot of clean up.

Make the meal the event.

GAME NIGHT Game nights are a classic wintertime activity. Introduce a new game, or an old favorite. Make a paper crown and pass it around to the winner of each round. Take turns picking games or make up some of your own (a favorite activity for elementary children.)

PROCESS ART This is especially fun if you’re going to have a few of these special evenings over the course of the winter. Start with a large piece of paper, cardboard, or canvas. Add a new layer each night. It could be paint, glitter, stickers, gluing loose parts, and so much more. Mix up the colors, textures, and mediums each time to create a truly unique piece of art as a family.

MEGHLI Meghli (megh-lee) is a traditional Lebanese rice pudding usually served after the birth of a new baby and during Christmas time.

Naturally vegan and gluten-free, it is an easy and fun recipe to prep and decorate with your little ones. Enjoy!

1. Combine rice flour, sweetener, ground anise, cinnamon, and caraway in a medium sized deep pot.

4. Once the pudding starts to boil, lower the heat to low and whisk consistently for 15 to 20 minutes until the pudding has thickened.

2. Add the cold or room temperature water to the pot and whisk thoroughly.

5. Pour the pudding into 4 individual bowls, or one big dish, and set aside to thicken and cool. Once it begins to cool, place covered in the refrigerator to chill.

3. Place the pot on medium high heat and let the mixture come to a boil, whisking regularly so the rice flour doesn't clump.

6. Once cold, add your toppings of choice and serve.

LYNN EL BIZRI Lynn El Bizri is a certified AMI assistant for ages 0-3 and mama of two.

Passionate about Montessori, the outdoors, and slow, intentional living, she is dedicated to empowering others by sharing her parenting journey, experiences, and practical insights. Find her on Instagram @lynn.el.bizri or at https://lynnelbizri.com/

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INGREDIENTS ½ cup finely ground white rice flour 4 cups of water ½ cup sweetener of choice (for moderate sweetness, otherwise increase up to ¾ cup) ½ Tbsp ground anise ½ Tbsp cinnamon ½ Tbsp caraway

Topping shredded unsweetened coconut walnuts (soaked in cold water) almonds* pistachios* pine nuts (soaked in cold water) raisins *soaked in cold water and peeled

COOK TIME: APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES

VALENTINE’S DAY LOVE NOTES Use Valentine’s Day as a way to connect with your family. For the month, create love notes for each other to hide around your house. Make it winter to remember with this easy craft that is sure to become an instant family tradition.

TO MAKE YOU’LL NEED heart shaped notes markers / crayons tape

1. Cut paper into hearts. Make them as festive as you want but don’t feel like they have to be fancy. Glitter, doilies, or fancy paper is optional. I simply used pink and red paper and punched holes around the edges.

2. Place your hearts in a basket with some writing utensils - like markers or crayons and make sure it is in a central location that everyone can reach.

3. Use the writing utensils to write or draw special love notes to your family. Show your children how to do the same.

4. Tape your creations all around the house. Hang them high and low for everyone to search for each day. Add at least one new one each day for the month of February.

5. Bonus: Tape your hearts upside down so that your child needs to lift it up to see the message!

BOOK CLUB must reads this season

THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY PARENTING TIP

Hold Space

I remember the day I decided to create a public page showcasing my Montessori journey.

I could not figure out what to call it...

JENNA WAWRZYNIEC I’m a mom of three, with two kids in Lower Elementary and one in Children’s House, navigating both the first and second planes of development. With a degree in journalism and sociology, my love for storytelling and curiosity led me to support Montessori schools and child development teams. After working with Lovevery and Higher Ground Education for many years, I founded Holding Space Montessori to provide tailored support to smaller teams.

Today, I help local-to-me Montessori schools refine their communications with families and create encouraging resources for new parents in collaboration with the experts at @JoyParentingClub. On Instagram @holdingspacemontessori, I share insights from my own motherhood journey, aiming to spark curiosity, foster respect for children, and build a supportive community.

A

s a former journalist, coming up with creative phrases is not my strong suit. I’m factual and straightforward. Be concise! Be clear!

It was a struggle, but I finally landed on something: Holding Space Montessori.

What is a “holding space?”

It refers to a safe environment for someone to share their feelings, experiences, or struggles.

It’s a concept that honors the idea of being fully present for someone, allowing them to express themselves without trying to control the outcome or solve their problems – rooted in the broader human need we all have for connection and acceptance.

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THIS! This is what Montessori philosophy has given me …

A safe holding space where it was okay not to be perfect or all-knowing, and where my curiosity was valued.

By learning to hold space for myself, I could also better hold space for my children – who needed more than just toys and shelf work, but a connected grownup prepared to coregulate, model, guide, and encourage.

This is important year-round, but especially during the holidays The holidays can bring more stressors. There’s an overall uptick in illness thanks to respiratory season, which clashes with an uptick in overall social expectations to go more places, attend more events, buy more things, cook extensive meals – you know the drill.

Many of these to-do’s may be rooted in joyful traditions, which can be a beautiful thing that we decide is worth the effort – but it can also lead us to overextend. When this happens, we can grow dysregulated and disconnected. Then, our kids can grow unsettled. Suddenly, the things we added backfired.

If this resonates, give yourself grace and then get curious. What can you prioritize differently this year?

Here are some ways I cultivate a holding space through the holidays:

(1) Observe and reflect on our current stage of life.

What is our family’s current capacity? This is important to check each year because our capacity can change over time! The things we could handle when our children were babies and toddlers looked so different from what we can handle now in their elementary era.

(2) Remind myself that “no” is not mean.

Revisit some boundaries that protect the capacity we identify in step one.

This could be saying no to big stuff, like travel – but it could also be saying no to small stuff, like deciding to make brownies from a box instead of spending half a day baking homemade cookies.

(3) Permit ourselves to tweak traditions.

Are we repeating things just to please others? What is important to us, and what traditions reflect our family values?

(4) Communicate the mental load.

I try to be intentional about communicating with my partner.

While we don’t have to split everything 50-50, we can and should have predictable and regular checkins that allow us to connect on ways to help each other, as opposed to pushing forward in our own lanes.

P.S. Think about sharing the mental load with your kids, too: I love being a “magic maker” this time of year, but I also understand that what’s magical to my kids is when I am present with them, not just disproportionately behind the scenes.

Sharing my mental load is not just something I do with my husband, but with my kids. So often, our kids want to join us in our to-do’s – not wait for everything to be done for them.

(5) Periodically do “speed checks” Feeling urgent, hurried, or like we just want to always “do it ourselves because we can do it faster” is not something to glorify under the realm of being a “supermom”; it’s more likely a sign that we’re growing depleted or anxious. So, when I feel that sense of hurry take over, I respond by taking a few breaths and checking in with myself.

That’s it. That’s my formula for holding space through the holidays.

It’s a mix of self-reflection, prioritization, and boundaries – which requires us to reject hustle culture, consumerism pressures, and the general idea that our worth is tangled in our productivity.

It’s big inner work, so if it feels hard it’s because it is hard – not because you’re failing. Above all, remember that progress is not linear and some seasons may feel harder than others.

But, that’s all the more reason why you deserve that safe holding space.

How will you prioritize slow, intangible, nurturing connections this holiday season? I want to know if you make any changes this year.

Find me on Instagram @holdingspacemontessori and let’s stay curious about modern parenting pressures together.

A VERY For many of us, winter includes a countdown to Christmas. While traditionally Advent calendars might include chocolates or small toys, they don’t always need to.

Practical life activities play an important role in Montessori homes.

These tasks help children participate in family life. They offer opportunities for children to feel confident, to practice skills, and help others.

So, each day in December, here’s a wintery practical idea for you to try.

Make these ideas your own - taking them in whatever direction fits your family’s cultural and religious values as well as your children’s ages and temperaments.

practic

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TOO MUCH AVOIDING SENSORY OVERWEHLM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON What are signs that the holidays are upon us? Is it the music and jingle bells? The smells of cinnamon and peppermint wafting through the air? Neighbors swapping everyday decor for nutcrackers, wreaths, and perhaps a large Santa complete with reindeer and sleigh? Is it the colorful lights, strung and blinking bright? The sales for Christmas sweaters or matching jammies?

Take a moment and close your eyes, think about what elements of the holidays are special to you?

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hile what I listed is often so fondly thought of when we think of the joyous holidays, they can also cause some people to be overstimulated. The environment may be overwhelming to the point that the holidays are anything but merry and bright, especially for our children or those with different sensory needs.

Their *joyous* impending holiday list is more like: Blaring music.

Overpowering smells.

Intolerable food with different flavors/textures.

Unbearable cold.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO? We prepare and adjust accordingly so that we may share cheer in such a way that they may find delight, too.

"WE MUST RESPECT THE CHILD AND HE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS RESPECTED. HE NEEDS TO BE PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR HIM.” MARIA MONTESSORI Here are some ideas for protecting your children from sensory overwhelm this holiday season:

Limit activities or space them out.

Allow a day or so in-between events to allow for calm and adjusting. That may mean passing on some happenings to ensure a good time is truly had at another.

Begin preparing your child for events and activities as soon as plans are set.

Increase the reminder frequency as plans get closer. Talk about who is going to be in attendance, what to expect, and where they can go if feeling overwhelmed—and don’t forget comfort kits (small bags with familiar and comforting supports.)

Keep the home a safe place.

No dramatic or unexpected changes and make sure to include your child when picking out materials and decorating. Keep necessary areas of the home off limits to holiday changes unless requested—such as your child’s playroom or bedroom or other places they go for peace.

AMORETTE FRENCH Amorette (Amo) French is an educator, therapist, speaker, and mother. As an Autistic and ADHDer she helps families and neurodivergent children to better understand the way we think so that we may celebrate our differences and focus on strengths. She finds time to write in between raising her 2nd generation homeschooled Montessori twins and son while offering consulting and coaching services to schools, families, businesses, and providers. A believer of guidance versus training, you can find her practicing and sharing reallife, tips, skills, techniques, and information from her 14+ years of experience on Instagram @French.Family.Montessori and at frenchfamilymontessori.com.

Her latest children’s book, “The Puppy in My Head,” will be in bookstores 2025.

Provide a safe, guilt-free area for regulation and calm.

This is a spot where they can go to at any time to regulate themselves. Is the event not at your home? No worries, speak to the host or hostess ahead of time to see if there’s a quieter area you’re welcome to use.

So often giving others the opportunity to assist is an act of love many enjoy and not the burden we feel it may be. I always reach out ahead, out of politeness and to not overwhelm others the day of—this way I can also prepare my child prior.

Create your own traditions.

If something works better for your family, even if it is different from how other families celebrate, embrace it!

If your child doesn’t like to unwrap gifts and it’s best for them to walk into the room with materials already assembled, go for it. Create a new tradition around that and celebrate.

(I watch those classic claymation holiday movies and drink some vegan eggnog while preparing the materials that need to be prepared.

It’s a yearly tradition I’ve grown to enjoy and look forward to.)

Include your child.

This is a great opportunity to help them embrace the change and have a sense of control over their safe area. It’s also ideal for understanding if something is too much for your child and if accommodations can be made.

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Remind your child of their safety and your role as protector and guide.

Emphasize that they can always come to you at any time, for whatever they need—without shame.

Check in with your child and enquire what would make their holidays enjoyable, something they can excitedly look forward to.

RETURNING TO NORMAL There tends to be a considerable amount of modifications for the holidays, which means that it can be quite the undertaking to return spaces back to ‘normal’.

A general rule I go by is: The amount of time it took holiday materials to go up, should be the same amount of time it takes for them to come down.

(This may vary as some are ready to return the home ‘back to normal’ once some larger items have been removed—as always, follow your child’s, and your, needs.)

For instance, we begin decorating November 1st—however, we don’t bring out ALL the decorations at that time. We do a little bit everyday which helps with the changing of the environment. Later, after the holidays, we begin taking down decorations the same way and for the same reason.

Remember: Change is difficult, even if it is, overall all, enjoyable.

AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOU! Are you familiar with your own triggers and glimmers?

(Triggers activate ‘fight or flight’ response while glimmers are calming.)

Is that Christmas sweater truly comfortable to wear, or could you swap it out for another that doesn’t slowly drain your battery or empty your cup? Believe it or not, little triggers, like an itchy sweater, don’t seem like triggers at all, yet they can take a huge toll. It can be the little things that send you over the edge as they add up.

Are you creating healthy boundaries in-order to preserve your well-being?

Boundaries don’t close people off but rather then tell people the best way to interact with us. Is a slow Christmas morning more important to you than it is for your extended family who tends to rush rush rush?

It’s okay to have your morning offlimits to gatherings so that you may take your time and savor the moments.

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Better yet, make plans for another day altogether. We often get caught up in a specific date, jamming everything in a single day, that we forget what it’s all truly about. It’s not the number on the calendar we are celebrating—it’s the rejoicing, spreading joy, and acts of kindness.

Do your thing, or list of things, and enjoy every moment of it.

Are you finding that perfect balance between lofty goals with reality– without the guilt?

recipe and buying Whole Foods’ baked goods, find what works best for you and your family and embrace it. Memories for our children are created either way–what we risk is diminishing ours with unnecessary guilt.

If you’re able to go full Martha Stewart on all aspects of holiday living and it fills your cup rather than drains it (how very Martha of you!), you go!

Whether you need to go completely low-demand or find a middle ground between growing and grinding your own flour for great-grandma’s cookie

Don’t forget that it’s okay to pause from the joys of the holiday in-order to regulate—gift yourself permission to do so. Needing to turn off ‘White Christmas’ and throw on some noise canceling headphones so you may tune out the world and take a deepbreath, doesn’t make you The Grinch.

It’s self-preservation.

Every family member deserves to have their needs respected - you and your child - it makes for a truly joyous holiday for all.

That moment you take to fill your own cup or charge your battery isn’t wasted—it’s actually making you a better caregiver while modeling selfcare to your child.

-Amorette

Wishing you and your family a truly joyous holiday season– a Merry Christmas and New Year filled with health and happiness.

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CELEBRATING THE NEW

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25!

W YEAR WITH CHILDREN

New Year's Eve comes with a lot of expectations to make it feel big, meaningful or fun. But with kids, especially little kids, it can feel just the opposite - boring, overwhelming, or just plain chaotic. So forget your expectations and find the way to celebrate that feels right for you.

written by

Nicole Kavanaugh

o

n December 31, 2011, my expectations were high. New Year's Eve was a time of celebration - we had had a big year - and of fun. We should mark the occasion with a party, reflection, food…something.

ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS The only problem was my high needs, sensitive, nine-month-old staring me in the face. I don’t remember the specifics of that night, I’m sure it included a lot of nursing and not a lot of sleep. But, I do remember the feeling of being let down.

The expectations I had for New Years didn’t match the reality of my current situation. It took me a few years to figure that out, but heading into my 14th year as a parent, I now know that shifting my expectations is some of the hardest work as a parent. It’s also some of the most rewarding work.

Once you shift your expectations, a whole new world opens up - not the one of the past, but the new joy you’re currently experiencing. It will feel different and that’s ok. Embrace the stage you’re in and know that it doesn’t have to last forever.

MAKING A NEW YEAR’S EVE BANNER HAS BEEN A POPULAR TRADITION IN OUR HOME

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CREATE NEW TRADITIONS Instead of lamenting what was, use New Year’s Eve as a time to create new traditions that your children will grow up remembering. Maybe it’s a movie and game night. Maybe it’s a special meal and early to bed. Maybe it’s an afternoon party with friends and a countdown at noon.

You get the freedom to do what feels best for you. You can stick to your toddler’s schedule and make the evening special. Or you can lean into the special night and stay up as late as the kids’ can handle!

With all that said, it can sometimes be helpful to see what other people are doing. So here are a few ways we have marked the new year with children.

BABIES In the years where we have babies, we give ourselves permission to not make a big deal out of the evening.

We can get into pajamas, watch a movie, nurse babies, or just sleep.

Your baby won’t be a baby forever and they will be a lot more flexible and you will have more energy in years to come.

YOUNG CHILDREN When our children are younger - toddlers and preschoolers we lean into the silly and fun. We’ll host or attend small gatherings with close friends with kids.

BOOKS FOR THE NEW YEAR

We’ll wear special hats, have a dance party, and count down the new year at 8:00 p.m. We color a banner, read a book, and talk about how a new year is beginning. Young kids like the opportunity to celebrate but it doesn’t have to be over the top.

OLDER CHILDREN With our older children we take some time to reflect on the year. We look at pictures, talk about trips we took, things we saw, things we learned, and things we loved. We share hopes we have for the coming year.

Our older kids also have the opportunity to stay up as late as they want. We lean into the evening, watch movies, and just give them the space to celebrate in ways that feel meaningful for them.

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MAKE SEASONAL PLAY DOUGH Playdough is a wonderful activity and sensory experience for children of all ages! Try one of these incredible smelling seasonal playdough recipes.

EMMA ZEBRO I’m Emma, a wife and mother to identical twin boys. I received my Montessori elementary training diploma (AMI) and guided a lower elementary Montessori classroom for many years. I have now shifted my focus to being a stay-at-home mom. I have a blog and YouTube channel, where I share my passion for Montessori, how we live out this philosophy in our home with twins, as well as my passion for cultivating beauty and order.

TO MAKE THE PLAY DOUGH 1. Measure out the water and then add food coloring to the water. Mix the water food coloring together and add to the oil.

BASIC DOUGH RECIPE 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup of salt 1 cup of water 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 2 tablespoons of cream of

2. Add flour, salt, cream of tarter into saucepan.

Mix in wet ingredients.

Add any mix-ins.

3. Heat your saucepan over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until it all begins to solidify and come together. As it heats, it may get a little lumpy, but this is okay. This process only takes a few minutes, so don't walk away from your stove!

4. Once it comes together, scoop it out of the pan onto some parchment paper on your counter. Knead the playdough to help it cool off a bit. If you forgot to add in any of your food coloring or add-ins, you can do it at this point, but it will be harder to incorporate.

5. Allow play dough to cool a little bit and then store in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container.

tartar

CINNAMON PLAY DOUGH 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon OR 1-3 drops of cinnamon bark essential oil 6 drops of red, 5 drops of yellow, and 1 drop of blue food coloring to make brown dough

PUMPKIN PIE PLAY DOUGH 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

APPLE PIE PLAY DOUGH

2 teaspoons cinnamon + 1 teaspoon of nutmeg OR 1 tablespoon of apple pie spice 10 drops of red food coloring

3 drops of red and 7 drops of yellow food coloring

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THE EASIEST GRANOLA Nicole Kavanaugh

I love a good snack-tivity to do with my kids. One of my favorites is easy granola.It’s perfect for eating on its own, or tossing into yogurt and smoothies. A winter-time staple at our house, this granola is simple to make, crunchy, tangy, and sweet. Plus it’s literally dump, bake, and eat!

INGREDIENTS 2 cups old fashioned oats 1 cup slivered almonds ½ cup chopped pecans ½ cup sunflower seeds ½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup dried cranberries ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup maple syrup ½ cup canola oil

COOK TIME: APPROXIMATELY 60 MINUTES

1. To make start by preheating the oven to 200 degrees (F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

4. Once everything is mixed together, dump the mixture onto the parchment paper covered pan.

Spread it flat.

2. Next, in a large bowl, combine oats, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and coconut.

Set aside.

5. Put in the oven.

Stir the mixture with a spatula every 15 to 20 minutes until the oats are golden brown and the mixture is mostly dry.

3. Then, in a smaller bowl combine syrup, oil, and salt.

Using a whisk to constantly stir, pour the liquid mix over the dry ingredients. Stir until all of the ingredients are covered in the syrup-oil mixture.

6. Let it cool then add cranberries.

Store in a covered container. Enjoy!

MONTESSORI TIP! Toddlers can dump premeasured ingredients into the bowl. Preschoolers can measure and dump.

Elementary aged kids can experiment with ratios and add or subtract their favorite ingredients to make the granola their own!

LOVE & OBSER LOSS

“Observe little children, observe them anywhere you can.”

Maria Montessori The 1946 London Lectures.

MARGARET BEAGLE Margaret Beagle is a Montessori educator, teachertrainer, and founder of Sage Montessori School of Nashville. She lives in Nashville with her husband and three kids. You can read more of her writing at wholechildcollab.substack.com and find her at @whole.child.collaborative on Instagram.

VATION

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hether I can believe it or not, the holiday season is upon us. If you have young children, anticipating a season that will upend your routines can feel daunting.

At least, that’s how I felt when I was in the trenches of parenting three very young children. When my kids were young, we lived three hours away from family, and holidays always included some travel.

If I could turn back the clock, I would do a million things differently, and stressing about the holidays would be one of them. I can’t turn back the clock, but I can share what I know now.

If I could go back, there are things I would tell myself as a young, exhausted mother trying my best to raise my children gently and consciously. With what felt like stars in our eyes, my husband and I were determined to raise our children differently than we had been raised.

SETTING BOUNDARIES Setting boundaries became my holiday survival strategy. I was determined to set them, and I expected my family to respect them.

I constantly fretted about interactions between my children and their extended family.

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What if someone makes a comment about their behavior? What if someone makes a comment about my parenting? What if the grandparents buy them lavish lightup toys that don’t support their development? What if someone feeds them too much sugar? Where am I going to put all of these damn toys that will inevitably be forgotten about in my living room?

PROCESSING LOSS In 2021, I unexpectedly lost my mother and brother a week apart.

Three years before that, I lost another brother and lost my father to cancer when I was in middle school.

Holidays are now filled with a loneliness I can’t always describe.

The first holiday season without my mother was incredibly challenging.

My mother and I had a complicated relationship, and holidays were never without stress and conflict, but the first holiday season without her was shocking.

I felt the pressure all parents feel about making the holidays a magical time for their children. I desperately wanted to bring as much joy into our home that season as possible, but there was a sadness in the air that couldn’t be shaken.

CELEBRATING WITH SADNESS

LEARNING TO LET GO

The sadness is still there as the So, if you find yourself in the trenches holidays without my family become of parenting young children during easier to manage. I'm sad that my the holidays, here is my advice to children can’t open gifts from their you: let as much go as you can. uncles, who loved them so much. I'm Protect your own peace and sanity. sad that my kids can’t Hold boundaries celebrate with their for safety and grandmother. I'm sad mental wellthinking about being. how my father “RESPECT ALL would be madly But ask yourself REASONABLE in love with my what you can let children but FORMS OF ACTIVITY go. Focus on never got to relationships IN WHICH THE meet them. instead of I'm sad that CHILD ENGAGES, fussing over even if they details. Focus AND TRY TO were still here, on connecting family is UNDERSTAND instead of complicated, criticizing.

THEM.” and it wouldn’t have been One thing that MARIA perfect. irritated me most

MONTESSORI

This sadness is sometimes met with regret. I regret fussing over silly things, like too much sugar, gifts, and my kids’ nap schedules.

I regret that my children didn’t have more uninterrupted time with their grandmother without my constant hovering.

about my mother was her constant doing for my kids.

What drove me bananas is that she never listened. I can hear myself now. . “Mom, he can put his own shoes on.

You are going to hurt yourself bending over like that.”

If I could go back, I would let this go because now I wish she was there to help them with anything, even something they can do independently.

ASK YOURSELF If I could travel back in time to those family gatherings of holidays past, here are two questions I would ask myself.

1. Is my child safe?

2. Is my child showing signs that they are happy?

If the answer to either question were no, I would intervene immediately and remove my child from the interaction. Then, I would consider how to move forward. But if the answer is yes to both, I’d tell myself what I tell adult learners in Montessori teacher-training: keep watching.

OBSERVE, OBSERVE OBSERVE Observation is the critical component of bringing Montessori into your home (everything else, honestly, is just cool, mathematically precise manipulatives and cute furniture). Observation is what makes this philosophy what it is.

Who is your child looking at during this interaction? What is their facial expression? Are they laughing? Are they saying anything? Often, as parents, we feel that we have to do something. However, as Montessori parents, we must remember that observation is doing something, and it's doing something powerful.

Observation gives us the information we need to move forward.

Observation is an essential component of being a gentle, reflective, and confident parent.

When we forget about observation, we can become reactive in our interactions with our children and extended family.

You can’t make your family change their views on raising children, but you can model gentle parenting with gentleness and presence. Montessori folks are great at modeling.

Don’t forget your impact as a caregiver. Give yourself credit for all the amazing work you do every single day with your child that can’t be undone by a few off-handed comments from family members.

Take care of yourself this holiday season. Family is complicated, and parenting is hard. Combining the two can feel impossible. Take deep breaths and keep observing.

Respect all reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages, and try to understand them.” Maria Montessori, The Child in the Family.

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WINTER STAR GARLAND TO MAKE YOU’LL NEED Watercolor paint and brushes Watercolor paper Marker Scissors Paper punch

Do you want a craft project that is going to entertain your kids for more than a couple of minutes and focuses on the process while building some skills?!

Yes, yes you do! You need to make some simple garland.

Yarn or string

Step One | Paint In this first step, you’ll need your watercolors and paper.

Let your child explore with the colors on the page. Even older babies could help because there’s really no right or wrong way to do it. For our stars we used a combination of glittery watercolors and basic blue.

Step Two | Draw and Cut Once your paper is dry, you’re ready to make your shapes. Use your marker to draw shapes on your paper. I used wintery stars, but you could use anything. (Hearts would make a great choice for later in the winter season.)

Cut out your shapes. Some toddlers might be ready to help cut, but this might be a job for preschoolers and older.

Step Three | Paper punch Next, take your cut out shapes and punch them with your paper punch. The size and shape of the punch is up to you. These are great to set out on a tray and let your child punch at their leisure. Don’t worry about pattern, number of punches, or their location. Let your child be the guide.

While toddlers might need some help depending on the punch you have, older children will likely be able to independently complete this step.

Step Four | Thread Fourth, cut a large piece of string or yarn to thread your shapes. Start on the right side of the front of your shape, thread the string into one of the punched holes. Pull the string along the back to the left side of the shape. Finally pull the string up through one of the punches on the left side of the shape. Repeat until all your shapes have been threaded.

This step can be tricky for toddlers. Using a large blunt needle can make it easier for some toddlers, but it may be a step more suited for preschoolers and elementary aged children.

Step Five | Hang Talk to your children and decide where you should hang your completed garland! Secure in the way that is most appropriate for the surface you chose. And, finally, enjoy your completed project!

9 5 winter

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seasons joyful

winter

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