Shelf Help

Nicole Kavanaugh

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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20 episodes
Avg 44 min
English

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S4 · E8
Jan 16, 2024 · 20 min
Finding Center After a Break - Season 4 Episode 8
The new year is here and for a lot of us that means a time of reset after a break from our regular routines. In this this week's episode, Nicole explores a couple of ways that she likes to reset her home and get back to Montessori roots following a time of disruption.
S4 · E7
Dec 4, 2023 · 44 min
Fighting the Urge to Say No - Season 4 Ep 7
Have you ever felt a gut urge to just say "no" to your child without really stopping to think about why? In this episode, Nicole and Amy explore those feelings, what they mean for us for adults, and how to balance that need for control with our child's need to explore. Why do our children need to explore? How can we make that exploration possible while still balancing our own needs? This podcast dives deeply into exploration, control, and our response as prepared adults.
S4 · E6
Oct 23, 2023 · 1 hr 13 min
Parenting Neurodivergent Children - Season 4 Episode 6
As parents to multiple neurodivergent children, Nicole and Morgan discuss how parenting with Montessori influences neurodivergent kids. We discuss a shift in our expectations toward our children, how we advocate for our children in schools, with therapists, or doctors. We finish by answering some listener questions about how we deal with specific situations. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/10/NeurodivergenceandMontessoriPodcast.html
S4 · E5
Oct 9, 2023 · 57 min
Using Montessori Materials at Home - Season 4 Episode 5
Montessori classrooms are filled with beautiful materials to engage children and spark learning opportunities. But, if your children are going to school, do you really need to own these materials at home? In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy discuss some of the reasons you might consider owning Montessori materials and which to bring home. We also explore some reasons you might skip these materials altogether. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/10/UsingMaterialsAtHomeMontessori.html
S4 · E4
Oct 2, 2023 · 47 min
Sports in Our Montessori Homes - Season 4 Episode 4
How do sports and Montessori mix? How to we reconcile the competitive nature of some children's sports with our desire to respect our children's developmental needs? How do we give our children new experiences and avoid over scheduling? In this much asked for episode, Nicole and Amy dive into their experiences with children's sports - the good and the bad. As Montessori parents, we share how we try to follow our children's interests but still provide balance and respect. Show Notes here: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/10/Sports-and-Montessori.html
S4 · E3
Sep 25, 2023 · 43 min
Montessori Toddler Mornings - Season 4 Episode 3
Come along with us through our Montessori morning with our toddlers. Montessori morning routines look like activities, materials, outings, and the work of the adult all mixed together. This week Nicole and Amy focus on what it looks like in their Montessori homes to guide their toddlers. From school drop offs, to phone calls, and shelf work, get an in-depth look at how toddlers get their day started. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/09/Montessori-Toddler-Mornings-Podcast.html
S4 · E2
Sep 18, 2023 · 41 min
Touching the Elementary Imagination - Season 4 Episode 2
We know that young children learn through concrete experiences, but what about as they move into the second plane of development? In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy deep dive into the importance of the imagination, reading a quote directly from Maria Montessori. We discuss how to spark the imagination to ignite a child's interests in the elementary years and how that can effect our parenting, our homes, and their education. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/09/MontessoriPodcastImaginationSecondPlane.html
S4 · E1
Sep 11, 2023 · 47 min
We're Back to School! - Season 4 Episode 1
We're back for season 4 of Shelf Help! Nicole and Amy are starting off this new season of our Montessori parenting podcast with some tips for a successful back to school. As Montessori parents, they share ways to help your children before school, tips on how to come home peacefully, and tips for you in dropping kids off at school for the first time. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/09/BackToSchoolMontessoriPodcast.html
S3 · E21
Jul 24, 2023 · 50 min
Montessori Parenting True and False - Season 3 Episode 21
Artificial Intellegence technology is starting to influence many different areas of our lives. But what does AI think of Montessori?! And how much can AI get right?! In this week's Montessori parenting podcast, Nicole and Amy challenge AI in a true and false game. Listen to see how much we agree and disagree with AI created Montessori statements. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/07/MontessoriTrueFalseParentingPodcast.html
S3 · E20
Jun 26, 2023 · 42 min
Supporting Children Through Big Transitions - Season 3 Episode 20
Amy is back with her BIG news and so in this week's episode we are talking about how to support children as we navigate big life changes. Whether it's a move, the end of a school year, or some other change, here are some practical tips for helping manage feelings, responsibilities, and logistics of a big life transition for your child. From the importance of practical life, to holding space for feelings and not leaning into perfectionism, let's help our children navigate changes to their world. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/06/ParentingPodcastSupportingLifeTransitions.html
S3 · E19
May 22, 2023 · 47 min
Toddler Tantrums - Season 3 Episode 19
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
S3 · E18
May 1, 2023 · 24 min
Our Outdoor Favorites - Season 3 Episode 18
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
S3 · E17
Apr 24, 2023 · 38 min
100 Episodes and a Q&A - Season 3 Episode 17
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
S3 · E16
Apr 17, 2023 · 54 min
Lets Play Montessori This or That - Season 3 Episode 16
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
S3 · E15
Apr 10, 2023 · 39 min
Love, Trust, and Development - Season 3 Episode 15
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
S3 · E14
Mar 20, 2023 · 36 min
Big Projects and Planning with Elementary-Aged Children - Season 3 Ep 14
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
S3 · E13
Mar 13, 2023 · 50 min
Growing Together as Parents/a Q&A with Morgan - Season 3 Ep 13
In this week's episode, Nicole is chatting with her husband, Morgan, about Montessori parenting. As parents we share how we believe Montessori has influenced our parenting styles, our relationships, and how we have grown together alongside our children. This week, we answer some listener questions and talk about everything from children's sports, to colicky babies and how we make time for date night.
S3 · E12
Mar 6, 2023 · 39 min
The Invisible Labor of Montessori Parenting - Season 3 Ep 12
There are so many things to think about, decide, and hold in our heads as a parent. This week Nicole and Amy are shedding some light on the invisible labor of being a Montessori parent. We explore some general examples along with some Montessori specific examples of this work. We also discuss how this mental load effects us and how we balance this labor with meeting our own needs. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/03/MontessoriParentingMentalLoadPodcast.html
S3 · E11
Feb 27, 2023 · 51 min
Montessori Floor Beds - Season 3 Ep 11
Using a Montessori floor bed with an infant is one unique feature to Montessori parenting. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy deep dive into Montessori floor beds. We discuss Dr. Montessori's own words about floor beds and our own "whys" for using floor beds. Plus we'll share some practical tips on how to use a floor bed or transition to a floor bed in your Montessori home. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/02/MontessoriFloorBedsPodcast.html
S3 · E10
Feb 6, 2023 · 37 min
Using Montessori at Home with Flexibility - Season 3 Episode 10
We love being Montessori parents, but that doesn't mean our views on certain Montessori topics, materials, or "rules" hasn't changed over time. There's no one way that Montessori at home needs to look. In this week's episode, Nicole and Amy explore how we have been flexible in some areas of our Montessori parenting and our Montessori homes, how we may have changed over time, and how to let go of the guilt around being a "perfect" Montessori parent. Show Notes: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2023/02/FlexibleMontessoriParentingPodcast.html

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