PARENT RESOURCES
UNDERSTANDING & SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD
BEHAVIOR & EMOTIONS
The Importance of Self-Regulation in Early Childhood - A look at how Montessori methods help support this valuable skill.
5 Ways to Build Bonds With Your Child - From Helen Splarn for Psychology Today, ideas for bonding and building a supportive relationship with your child now and for years to come. Visit Generation Next for more resources on supporting childhood and young adult mental health and wellbeing.
Children Live in the Moment - A lovely reminder on viewing transitions from your young child’s perspective.
Modeling Kindness - How to lead by example with your own behavior.
Understanding Core Emotions - Maren Schmidt takes insight from Temple Grandin’s book, Animals Make Us Human, to examine the link between our emotions and our behavior.
Bottling the Whine - An insightful article about why children whine and how adults can respond.
Dealing With Meltdowns - This article explores the core causes of meltdowns and how adults can navigate them in a compassionate way.
Preventing Tantrums - Tips for planning positive and preventative approaches to challenges.
Wants Versus Needs - A brief piece how to help your child recognize and balance their wants versus needs amidst consumer consumption.
Do What You Say and Say What You Do - A guide to determining logical consequences for negative behaviors, and tips on how to follow through.
Gaining Cooperation - Strategies for fostering peaceful compliance.
Different Strokes for Different Folks - How to gracefully uphold family rules outside the home.
How and When to Redirect A Child - Seven steps for redirecting away from negative behaviors in a way that also reinforces positive behaviors.
BUILDING SKILLS & INDEPENDENCE
Fostering Independence - A lovely article by Laurie Adams of Vancouver Montessori School about your young child and their growing sense of independence and abilities.
Steven Hughes Fixes Your Parenting in 90 Minutes - An overview of pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Steven Hughes' presentation on how fostering a child's independence and perseverance are the most effective ways to build and support their self-esteem.
Help Me Help Myself - Discover the best ways to promote your child’s self esteem and confidence. Pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Stephen Hughes stresses that children need to feel “good at doing things.” In this article, Catherine Dorner offers specific ideas for fostering independence, which in-turn builds self-esteem.
Dressing and Undressing - Mercedes Paine Castle, founder and director of All Roads Learning Community in Portland, on the importance of supporting your child’s efforts in clothing themselves.
Walking In - From David Cannon, the benefits of allowing your child to walk themselves into school.
Three Levels of Obedience - The three stages of learning and mastering new skills at all ages.
Toilet Training Versus Toilet Learning - A comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the Montessori perspective on supporting toilet use. Or, view the PDF version here.
A Montessori Approach to Toileting - A concise guide to navigating and supporting toilet use, courtesy of Michael Olaf.