Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Let's change the way we see toddlers 02
Why I love toddlers 04
What we need to know about toddlers 06
Parenting the Montessori toddler 08
Getting the most out of this book 10
Chapter 2 Introduction To Montessori
A brief history of Montessori 12
Traditional education vs Montessori education 13
Some Montessori principles 14
Chapter 3 Montessori Activities For Toddlers
Montessori activities for the whole child 24
What makes an activity Montessori? 25
How to show the child an activity 26
General principles to keep in mind 27
How to set up an activity 31
Types of activities 34
Eye-hand coordination 34
Music and movement 37
Practical life 39
Arts and crafts 44
Language 46
An extra note on the outdoors and nature 60
What about non-Montessori toys? 62
Chapter 4 Setting Up The Home
Setting up Montessori-style spaces 66
Room by room 67
Entrance 67
Living room 67
Kitchen 68
Eating area 69
Bedroom 69
Bathroom 70
Arts and crafts area 70
Cozy place for reading 71
Outside 71
General principles to keep in mind 73
Tackling the clutter 73
Making it cozy 74
Setting up our home to save us work 74
Sharing spaces 75
Small spaces 75
The importance of the home environment 76
Home tour 78
Chapter 5 Raising A Curious Child Who Feels Seen And Heard
Part 1 Encouraging Curiosity In Our Child
Five ingredients for curiosity 86
Trust in the child 86
A rich learning environment 87
Time 87
A safe and secure base 87
Fostering a sense of wonder 88
Seven principles for curious humans 88
Follow the child 88
Encourage hands-on learning 89
Include the child in daily life 90
Go slow 91
Help me to help myself 92
Encourage creativity 94
Observation 96
Part 2 Accepting Our Child For Who They Are
Give toddlers significance, belonging, and acceptance for who they are 99
Be their translator 100
Allow all feelings, but not all behavior 101
Give our child feedback instead of praise 102
Roles and labels 104
Chapter 6 Nurturing Cooperation And Responsibility In Our Child
Part 1 Cultivating Cooperation
Why the Montessori approach does not use threats, bribes, or punishments 108
Problem solving with our toddlers 110
Ways to involve our child 113
How we can talk to help them listen 114
Managing expectations 116
Bonus-write a note 118
Part 2 Setting Limits
It's okay to set limits 120
Be clear on the limits 121
Follow through with kind and clear action 122
Acknowledge negative feelings 125
Dealing with tantrums 126
Reconnecting once they are calm 128
Helping them make amends 128
Tips for setting limits 130
A handy checklist for limits 133
Chapter 7 Putting It Into Practice
Part 1 Daily Care
Daily rhythm 136
Rituals 138
Getting dressed and leaving the house 139
Eating 143
Sleeping 147
Brushing teeth 150
Part 2 Dealing With Changes
Toileting 151
Saying goodbye to pacifiers 154
Siblings 155
Part 3 Useful Skills For Our Toddlers To Learn
Sharing 161
Learning how to interrupt an adult 162
Skills for introverted toddlers 163
A hitting/biting/pushing/throwing phase 165
Building concentration 168
Dealing with frustration 169
When our child is clingy 170
Screen time 172
Bilingualism 173
Chapter 8 Being The Adult
Preparation of the adult 178
Physical self-care 179
Cultivate a learning mind-set 180
Start and end the day right 180
Practice presence 182
Observation 183
Fill our emotional bucket and our child's 183
Slow down 184
Be the child's guide 186
Use our home as a helper 187
Be honest 188
Take responsibility for our life and choices 188
Learn from our mistakes 189
Celebrate where we are 190
Self-awareness 190
Keep practicing 191
Chapter 9 Working Together
What about everyone else? 194
Parents are people, too 195
Referring one parent 195
The key to working together as a family 196
Getting family on board 197
Grandparents and caregivers 199
When there is conflict in the family 200
Divorce does not have to be a dirty word 201
Chapter 10 What's Next
Getting ready for preschool/school 204
The coming years 205
It's time for a change in education 209
It's time for peace 209
Real Stories
Home Tours And Quotes From Montessori Families
Australia 212
Kylie, Aaron, Caspar, Otis, and Otto How We Montessori
Mongolia 213
Enerel, Bayanaa, Nimo, and Odi Mininimoo
Canada 214
Beth, Anthony, and Quentin Our Montessori Life
USA
Amy, James, Charlotte, and Simon Midwest Montessori
My family 216
Simone, Oliver, and Emma Australia and the Netherlands
My classroom 217
Jacaranda Tree Montessori
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Further Reading 218
Thank-Yous 220
Appendix
Instead of this, say that 224
Where to find Montessori materials and furniture 226
About Montessori schools 228
What to look for in a Montessori school 228
What does a typical day at a Montessori school look like? 229
Is Montessori suitable for every child? 230
How does a child transition to a traditional school after being at Montessori? 231
Feeling and needs 232
Play-dough recipe 234
List of Montessori activities for toddlers 235
Index 246
