The Montessori Notebook podcast :: a Montessori parenting podcast with Simone Davies

Today's episode is a positive and heartwarming conversation with Andy Lulka, a Montessori teacher, parent and child. As someone who has spent their whole life around Montessori, you'll hear about:

• growing up in a Montessori school
• what a middle school Montessori program looks like
• how Judaism is brought into the Jewish Day School program
• how we can do better with anti-bias education touching on equity, diversity, inclusion and intersectionality (and where Simone puts up her hand to say, "I'm losing you" and asks for more explanation, learning right alongside you)
• the four planes of development including the Montessori elementary child and teenagers
• Andy's wonderful phrase "convince me" instead of closing a dialogue with her son
• single parenting and ideas for creating a village
• Montessori observation and self-observation
• what is dialoguing

"Who we are as human beings - how we show up in the world - is what will make the biggest impact on our children's lives" - Andy Lulka
"Montessori is a way to make the world a better place" - Andy Lulka
"People know what they do; frequently they know why they do what they do; but what they don't know is what what they do does.”― Michel Foucault, Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason

Simone also answers a listener question:

I am a working mother of 14 month old twin girls. I have started following Montessori principles recently. It is extremely hard for either of the babies to focus on their own activities without getting distracted by the other. It is challenging for me to engage both the girls in the same activity without them fighting over the toy or anything else. I try to explain them to wait for their turn but I guess they do not understand that yet and cannot wait for anything. Any suggestions on how to implement Montessori at home with twins?

For full show notes, click here:  https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/montessori-and-anti-bias-education/

Want even more Montessori inspiration?

- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast
- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook

The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

Today we get into the woman behind the Montessori approach - yes, Dr Montessori herself in a lovely conversation with her great granddaughter, Carolina Montessori. Listen to this conversation and learn about:

• Dr Montessori's years working in psychiatric hospitals and anthropology before working in education
• Her work as a feminist
• How she became so well-known in an era before the internet and instagram
• An insight into her relationship with her own son, Mario, who was born out of wedlock
• Carolina's work in the AMI archives including books of letters from her great-grandmother to her family
• What it is like to grow up in the Montessori family and how Carolina raised her own children in a Montessori way
• Carolina's own beautiful story being married to the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq and Minister of Finance
• a visit to a school in Kurdistan, Iraq
• and problems getting Montessori into the public system

Simone also talks about a Montessori approach to food and answers another listener question:

How is a day in your room with the parents? Do they just observe or are they with you or with the kids all the time?... Gracias!!

For full show notes, click here: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/dr-montessori-and-her-life-family-and-work/

Want even more Montessori inspiration?

- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast
- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook

The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

A deep conversation with Eloise from @mightymother_ in the UK all about creating a beautiful childhood and how they incorporate Montessori into their eclectic homeschooling days. And even if you aren't homeschooling, you'll learn:
* alternatives to praise
* building a family rhythm rather than a schedule
* creating cosy spaces at different ages
* what morning time looks like in their home - from tea to poetry to Latin and French - you are going to want to hear why a 4.5 year old is into these!
* the joy in the bad days
* getting out into nature in the city
* giving ourselves permission to rest and look after ourselves
* a realistic perspective on anxiety
* and how there is no such thing as a perfect parent

And don't forget to listen right to the end when Simone answer's this week's listener question from India:

My first born child is now turning 2 years old and I have only recently discovered the montessori method which I feel is so perfect for our family. I am in the process of purging a lot of “stuff” in our home that does not have a purpose, and make our home more “montessori friendly”. In many ways though, I feel like we are starting too late and I have failed my son as a parent. But at the same time I feel inspired to make some positive changes. Any suggestions for parents who are just starting to learn about montessori and transitioning from a more “conventional?” ... almost consumerish approach to parenting (always looking for the latest toy or gadget or stimulation).

For full show notes, click here: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/a-beautiful-childhood/

Want even more Montessori inspiration?

- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast
- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook

The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

Simone has a fascinating conversation with Trina from DIY Corporate Mom from The Philippines about how she embraces the Montessori philosophy as a way of parenting as a working parent. We cover so many questions like:

• if it's possible to do Montessori at home if you work
• what about Montessori and Disney? (two things you don't often see in the same sentence)
• how we can say goodbye in a respectful way with our child
• working parents and stay-at-home parents
• how to guide the carers/grandparents looking after our child
• using our spaces efficiently
• lots of Montessori art ideas
• what it's like having a nearly 4 year old child and 11 year old child doing Montessori
• what Montessori is like for a 6-12 year old
• a beautiful insight into the Maria Montessori Model UN, and
• how to get your partner on board with Montessori

And don't forget to listen right to the end when Simone answer's this week's listener question from Megan:

My 14 month old boy is always on the go and although we have glimpses of his intense concentration, much of the Montessori method seems to have no affect on him. Any tips or tricks for implementing Montessori for boys, specifically?

For full show notes, click here:  https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/montessori-as-a-working-parent/

Want even more Montessori inspiration?

- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast
- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook

The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

Want to really know what it's like to be a Montessori family? I'll be talking to my daughter Emma and my son Oliver who went to Montessori school up until 12 years old. And how they found the transition to a "regular" school (spoiler: not so difficult it appears). We talk about what it's like to be bilingual, things they remember from Montessori school, what it's like having a Montessori teacher as a parent, and even sex education in the Netherlands.

I'll also be talking to their Dad, Luke, all about co-parenting, communication, and raising Montessori children.

And sharing what I love about Montessori.

Listen right to the end for this week's listener question all about Montessori without spending a lot of money.

For detailed show notes:  https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/meet-simone-and-her-family/ 


Want even more Montessori inspiration?

- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast
- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook

The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.

Perhaps you don’t know yet what Montessori is. Or you may have been on a Montessori journey for a long time. Your children may or may not be at Montessori school. Or still a baby, already a teenager, or having families of their own. There will be something for everyone, Montessori parents, teachers, or just if you have a curious mind.

Your host, Simone Davies, is a Montessori teacher and parent and aims to make Montessori accessible to anyone, help you be more calm, understanding and supportive, and give you the tools to help you at home (or in the classroom), while preserving the heart behind the Montessori approach

In each episode, join Simone having relaxed conversations with Montessori friends, families and other Montessori teachers. She’ll also be sharing what she’s learning along the way - even after years as a Montessori educator, parent and author, there is so much more to learn. And at the end of each episode, Simone will answer a listener question.

Over the course of the season, you can look forward to hearing about
Montessori activities
ideas for Montessori at home
Montessori at different ages
using Montessori principles in our daily lives
and there will also be for sure positive discipline, gentle parenting and the - oh so commonly asked - “how do I get my child to listen” sprinkled through these conversations

Yes, how to raise children in a respectful way, help you better understand them, and raise curious - and yet - responsible human beings.

With the aim of spreading more peace and positivity around the world.

Want even more Montessori inspiration?
- website: themontessorinotebook.com/the-montessori-notebook-podcast
- instagram: instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
- facebook: facebook.com/themontessorinotebook

The Montessori Notebook podcast is hosted by Simone Davies. Edited by Luke Davies of Filmprov Media. Podcast art by Hiyoko Imai.