99 episodes
Shelf Help Nicole Kavanaugh
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- Kids & Family
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4.8 • 196 Ratings
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Parenting is tough these days; it can feel even harder when you're doing it alone. That's why we're here - this is Shelf Help, where Montessori and parenting meet. Join Nicole Kavanaugh, Amy Dorsch, and friends to chat about Montessori, kids, mom life, and all the joy in between.
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Toddler Tantrums
It is normal for toddlers to have a lot of feelings. Sometimes they experience extreme joy, and other times it's frustration, anger, and sadness. In this Montessori parenting podcast, Amy and Nicole talk specifically about toddler tantrums. As the prepared adult, we need to respond to tantrums with respect and love. In this episode, we discuss how to address your child's emotions, how to approach an upset child, and the role that our environment plays in causing tantrums.
Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/05/MontessoriParentingPodcastToddlerTantrums.html -
Our Outdoor Favorites
For Nicole and Amy, spring is here and so is nicer weather. So they are getting outside with their Montessori kids as much as possible. In this week's mini-episode, Nicole and Amy share their top three favorite outdoor activities. These Montessori friendly choices are fun for kids of all ages and can be done in a variety of spaces to work for your climate and space.
Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/05/MontessoriHomeOurOutdoorFavoritesPodcast.html -
100 Episodes and a Q&A!
It is our 100th episode of our Montessori parenting podcast! We want to thank all of you that have been with us over these last three years and celebrate with a listener Q&A! In this episode Nicole and Amy answer a variety of your Montessori parenting questions. We chat about everything from toddler mealtimes to swearing and our thoughts on the Montessori IG community.
Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/04/100EpisodesMontessoriPodcast.html -
Lets Play Montessori This or That
Lets play a game: Montessori this or that! On this week's Montessori parenting podcast, Nicole and Amy make some choices! Do we pick a weaning cup or a child's knife? A little kitchen or the adult height? A wooden rainbow or unit blocks? A Nugget or a Pikler Triangle? Come listen and find out some hot takes on some popular Montessori friendly topics and products!
Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/04/MontessoriPodcastThisorThat.html -
Love, Trust, and Development
Maria Montessori calls on parents to trust their children with their own development. But, in practice, that is really hard to do, especially with how much we love our children. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy unpack a Montessori quote about love, fault-finding, trust, and redirection. We talk about some of our success with trust and some of the areas where we are challenged to truly follow our children.
Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/04/LoveTrustMontessoriParentingPodcast.html -
Big Projects and Planning with Elementary-Aged Children
Elementary-aged children have big plans and big ideas! It is the work of the second plane child to act on these ideas and as Montessori parents we need to scaffold their success. In this week's episode Nicole and Amy share some of their joy and frustration in supporting their second plane, upper elementary kids when those big ideas come up at the last minute.
Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/03/ElementaryProjectandPlanningPodcast.html
Customer Reviews
LOVE Nicole and Amy!
This is my favorite Montessori podcast! I love how they talk like we are on a phone call, tell us about what is going on in there lives the first 5-10 minutes and then talk about Montessori topics. It does not feel like a college lecture like some of the other podcasts… which make you want to fall asleep. I would highly recommend this podcast to anyone ranging from Montessori newbie to Montessori-certified teacher and everything in between!
Too much fluff
While some of the info is useful there is a lot of fluff. If often takes 10 mins of chit chat before they get started on point. 1 hour episodes can easily be condensed. I recently listened to the Montessori Bedrooms Episode and all they did was talk about how their children sleep for the first half hour before they started talking about how a Montessori Bedroom should be set up, which was the only reason I tuned in in the first place. I value my time and listening to this podcast wastes too much of it.
Appreciation from working parent
Montessori resources often seem blind to families with both parents working full time outside of the home. While my home and routines surely don’t measure up to Amy and Nicole’s 😋 I certainly do not feel ostracized or guilted by their messaging. Thank you for providing insights and tips that are scalable, practical, and judgement free. (Episode of Montessori parenting sick kids was extremely validating 😭 thank you!)