MONTESSORI AT HOME: Your BURNING Questions Answered!

[@HapaFamily]

FYI: I purposely did not answer any discipline-related questions in this video, because I will be addressing the topic of discipline in a new upcoming video!! :)

[@srawn12]

I m a short tempered person and as we Indians live with elders, I always get a complaint of not restricting my baby when he's pulling things from the shelves, hiding behind refrigerator,... which makes me yell n lose temper. Ofcouse I apologize. Could you please suggest some practical tips to handle my temper. Yesterday, With a smirk, my baby has bitten me while i was nursing. I stopped nursing, explained that it hurts. After a while, the baby started tantrums for milk. First I said no, later I asked for a kiss as a gesture of apology then with sweet words I handled the situation. Then i just wondered how positive discipline works. Thank you for introducing montessori and positive discipline to us.

[@mashanagornaya1268]

oh that is awesome. I am really having a hard time (I meant she is going through a hard time) with my 18 months old girl not stoping, when I ask her to stop before a car or in other dangerous situations. Please tell me what to do. I really don't want to spank her or scare her. How do I get her to hear me? thank you so much

[@engineertomommy]

Looking forward to it! I have a 1 year old who is starting to throw tantrums and I am not ready for this! Haha 😭🤣 My husband and I try to vocalize what he might be feeling and why and let him feel his feelings but it gets hard sometimes.

[@adrianakuzmikova1697]

could you show how to handle toddler's meltdown? how to teach your child to handle their emotions? I know some people talk about being there and offering a hug, but that is a bit hard when I feel like my eardrums are gonna rupture any second...

[@ema8909]

13:11 how does one correct this then if the child is over 2 yrs old and grew up that way?

[@mariepfriem7533]

1:47 What does a Montessori day look like with a younger baby? 6:23 Is shelving and display of toys/activities necessary when babies are still immobile? 9:15 How will you handle your kids being influenced by other kids not raised with Montessori practices? 11:00 Which Montessori principle changed your view or expectations on parenting the most? 14:09 Tips on cooking and doing chores while having a 12 months old? 16:21 How do you deal with toddlers wanting to have tons of toys their friends have? 17:56 Thoughts on the Pickler Tringle? 19:02 How to choose the right activities for a baby or toddler that are interesting and challenging? 20:47 What to do if we do not have a Montessori daycare available where we live? 21:40 My 15 month old is missing out on so many experiences due to covid. Any advice? 24:12 How to not feel so judged by other moms that you're doing everything wrong? 25:55 How can Montessori work with older kids and teenagers? 27:46 How much time do you spend on shelf work with a two year old? 29:50 Is there anything about the Montessori method you don't like? 33:25 Should we focus on one language at home? 36:20 How do I help my child concentrate or participate? 40:14 How to deal with Santa's existence or how to explain it to toddlers? 42:59 How do kids handle the transition from Montessori school to regular school? 44:39 I introduced the object perm box to my child and she doesn't get it even after I demonstrated. What can I do? 47:55 Do you ever loose your cool as a parent?

[@HapaFamily]

Wow, thanks for adding this!

[@immecourtney4442]

This should get pinned! So helpful!

[@roskidd]

thank you!!

[@dustyfob]

Thank you!!!

[@melaniechabot9575]

Thank you for repeatedly telling me that children are resilient. I'm so nervous that when I go back to work that my childcare will ruin her. Thank you for reminding me over and over again. It's such a relief.

[@sarahbethyoga]

You are such a great teacher! I love how eloquently you explain your answers and describe the montessori philosophy.

[@ascendingrain2607]

I grew up in Montessori and I am forever grateful for it (Children’s house-8th grade). Now as a 24 year old I have been doing personal Montessori studies(I’m reading The Absorbent Mind currently) and I have been discovering a fascination with childhood development. I’m so happy to be exploring this passion that has been instilled in me by being exposed to Montessori from a young age. I love your channel and all of your wonderful insights! Thanks for all your work 💗

[@courtneygilmore9771]

To your point about not forcing shelf work, I heard a really great motto that stuck with me "don't let what you're trying to teach get in the way of what they are trying to learn." Also we just got a nugget and have a pikler that we love! I would enjoy a video about the more open ended toys you provide and recommend!

[@jzy94]

Hi! I'm 10 weeks pregnant first time mom and I'm so happy I found your channel ! You are so insightful and so honest and love your approach where it doesnt perfectly lining up with Montessori rules. You are making it easy to access an information I can easily present to my husband and know we both get a lot of good info which makes our journey as future parents become clearer and clearer. Ofcourse there is a lot unpredictability but having this mind set to start with will give us some healthy direction to fall back on anytime things dont go by the rules. Thank you so much and we appreciate your educational videos about Montessori

[@jzy94]

@@moakristiansson5257 thank you so much !

[@thandaxaba]

I love the idea of giving a child freedom ❤️

[@katemcgrath6425]

I was terrified of the idea of Santa (and the toothfairy, easter bunny etc.) as a kid. I finally learned he wasnt real when I was about 5 and I remember being SO relieved that there really wasnt some man breaking into our house at night 😂

[@rachelstrode652]

😂😂😂 yikes

[@tatharelprincessoferegion8162]

lol I'm glad my family never did Santa.

[@93trome]

I wasn't terrified but I'm sad for that little girl who had a false hope so strong that I would stand looking out the window just praying and wishing badly that I could catch a glimpse of Santa. Only to find out it was for nothing. I wish my parents created the magic and were given the credit for their hard work and we created beautiful family memories instead of remembering this little girl who wanted something so badly that was not real.

[@katemcgrath6425]

@bibi dilux I was scared of everything LOL I would leave notes for the toothfairy telling her not to come into my room and that my tooth was in the bathroom 😂😂 I didnt like the characters at Disney either - creeped me out! Lol

[@katemcgrath6425]

@@93trome aw I'm sorry! 💕

[@HannahRooks]

You answered my questions and every other question, beautifully!! Super helpful, thank you!! I love these long Q&A’s!!

[@engineertomommy]

Same here!

[@patricebright4182]

I can imagine your girls older cooking and preparing meals for their family when they are older. Aww I have mommy happiness for you 🥰

[@ForMyDaughtersandSons]

I love your channel and my (almost) 6 year old loves it, too! She says, “Mommy, can we watch the little girl who does things?” 😂 She’s seen other kids play with toys on KZbin but hardly any who are doing real life activities with their families. She loves to watch Kylie and we are excited to watch Mia join in even more. I also have a 4 month old and your videos have been helping me with her.

[@kasietazen114]

Hello from Kazakhstan! Thank you so much Ashley for your videos. You’ve introduced to me Montessori approach and I love it. My baby girl is 11 month old now and I’m very happy that I accidentally watched you video for the first time when she was 6 month old and find out about this philosophy. Before that time I was lost in parenting, but now I’m sure I’m trying and giving the best I can to my child. Also I wanted to say that I think you’re wonderful mama! Your girls just awesome and cutest! Just remember that over the ocean and thousand miles away from you some mama keep learning and trying to be the best for her baby due to your videos, knowledge, experience and advises.

[@aizhanbegenova6372]

+1 from Kazakhstan😊

[@kasietazen114]

@@aizhanbegenova6372 привет! Из какого города?

[@aizhanbegenova6372]

@@kasietazen114 Астана-Алматы👋🏼вы?)

[@kasietazen114]

@@aizhanbegenova6372 я тоже из Алматы. Рада знакомству!

[@aizhanbegenova6372]

@@kasietazen114 взаимно! Можете добавиться в Фейсбук ;)

[@emilieberkman57]

My daughter LOVES cooking, baking, cleaning, and helping with the chores. It’s chaotic and messy, but the developmental benefits are so worth it!

[@catiemaloney2224]

You, little miss, are incredible. I just learned about Montessori today at 13 weeks pregnant, I'm obsessed. I've been watching your videos nonstop all day. You are such an inspiration! THANK YOU!

[@torih7624]

Thank you so much for your last point! Sometimes I have a tough time watching your vlogs because I (wrongly) compare my daughter to Kylie and I feel like I must be doing everything wrong parenting. While I obviously don't want to see the tough moments, it makes me so relieved to know they do happen even when the vlogs feel so fun and perfect. This was a wonderful Q&A, thanks again!

[@tiph0934]

You are such a refreshing parenthood channel !!!!! Merci beaucoup Ashley ! I’ve started Incorporating Montessori principles thanks to you. Hello from Canada and France 🇫🇷

[@slonemagyar1034]

At about 8 years old my mom told me Santa wasn’t real and I remember being so distraught and so mad at my mom for lying to me all of those years. Even though that happened I’ve still been unsure what I will tell my kids once they are at the age where they learn about Santa. I think your method of letting them “play Santa” is a really good idea, that way they still feel that magic but aren’t being lied to

[@withyoctopus]

8 years? You really held on to that believe. I was 90% sure he wasn't real at 3.

[@decor4serenity740]

Thanks for inspiring me to go Montessori way. I feel I am very lucky to come across your channel at the right time. My baby was 3 months old when I started watching your videos and now she's 8 months old. Sending you love and good wishes🙏🙏

[@LSK1]

Thanks for not answering questions on this video that have the answer in other videos !!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mayraamato5177]

I actually love this. And the way you explain the developmental stages whereby they need to do something in particular really hooked me on Montessori. The concept really clicks as something that helps adults to be more curious of their children than judgemental. I also believe the most beautiful part of being a parent is to get to know WHO is the soul they brought into this world. And support them to come into their own fully.

[@annamiller3479]

I’ve been watching your Montessori at home series since September and have been so glad to find so many videos that I can share with clients! I’ve been working in this field for about 25 years and it’s rare that I find resources that I can so confidently pass along without any qualifiers, ha! The realization that I was interrupting babies was one of the most profound. It was about 10 years ago, and I had just discovered Magda Gerber’s work. It takes so much practice to change the way we do things, but it’s so worth it. Thank you for your invaluable contribution!

[@annamiller3479]

There are two questions I’d love to hear your thoughts on. One is about the developmental appropriateness of some of the traditional Montessori works. It seems that there are some things we now know aren’t compatible with early brain development, but are still practiced in the earliest Montessori classrooms. What are your thoughts on map work, for example? The other question is more philosophical. In the educaring approach from RIE, infants and children are not shown how to use objects. This feels very different than the Montessori approach of demonstrating each work. I’m just thinking a lot about how I feel about each approach…Thanks in advance!

[@lizduke6139]

I now have a label to my parenting style. I was too learnt all three of babies could self engage in their home environment and to the rhythm of my day. I laid my babies on the floor, gave them time to play with out districting them before they nodding of to sleep. I had no loud background noises or device to preoccupy my attention, but always present with my children needs or discoveries. They are teenagers now and are very independent, they have after school jobs and all have saved and bought their own cars. They cook, clean after themselves and I have so much time to chat and hang out with them. A truly responsible way of raising children…the Montessori way.

[@faithfullyYours_His_Glory]

I love how you follow your own convictions, in reference to fictional books. Some people are probably steered away if they don't feel like they can get behind this philosophy, fully. Again, thank you for your honesty and transparency.

[@maggiescoggins5635]

Hi Hapa Fam! I am not a mama yet, but hope to be one day. I am a college student studying art education, and I love learning about Montessori practices. Your videos are so informative and I love watching your family! I hope to incorporate Montessori into my future family life!

[@dsofiap15]

I remember feeling so betrayed and losing all my trust in my parents when I found out about Santa, so I love this approach of telling them from the begging that he's not real and it's pretend play people like to do.

[@rebn8346]

But he is real. He was the Catholic Bishop who was present at the Council of Nicea. He vices Arius for insulting Mother Mary and Christ. Spent a night in prison for that. He rescued slaves, dropped gold down the chimney and left gifts and doweries, and money to pay ransoms. Santa is Latin for saint. He was a priest of Christ, and he gave his personal wealth away in the name of Christ. He was thrown in solitary confinement during the Diacletion persecution, which is known as white martyrdom..he was ready to spill his blood as a red martyr but he wasn't executed. Knowing my parents were acting in imitation of this Patron Saint of the Byzantine Rite, that all he did was for the glory of God...history makes knowledge easier. And knowledge is not formation.

[@philippapay4352]

Wow, you were thorough and during the holiday season! Good for you to draw us into focus.

[@franklyunique3189]

I love that you touch on the Santa topic in this video. That's one of the topics that my partner and I have different views on. I understand the way we were raised with the belief in Santa. Also it's a HUGE cultural thing for us. I want to raise our child/children with understanding of multiple cultures and beliefs, the understanding why the season is celebrated but not that Santa brings gifts. It's helpful to have a respectful way to discuss this. THANK YOU!

[@electricfishfan]

It’s been two years since you commented but it’s holiday season right now and I’ve been reflecting. I agree that understanding many winter traditions ties cultural celebration back into history in a very intimate way. I never felt particularly gleeful during Thanksgiving or Christmastime (aside from excitement for food and gifts) before I could understand the importance of saving resources through the cold and what that must have been like for previous generations, and the many experiences it can symbolize for humankind as a whole today. I’ve just discovered Montessori this morning and I really resonate with its advice of deprioritizing fiction since I’ve always felt fictional art becomes more spiritual that way, as opposed to ending at the trite, shallow enjoyment one can feel from glamor alone. I’m not a spiritual person but it’s the best word!

[@12Sanguine]

Thank you for your videos, incredibly informative and entertaining! I'm probably 3-6 years away from having children, but rather be prepared early. 😅

[@thandaxaba]

I look forward to discipline related video💕.... Even though I have watched videos from you discipline related🤗

[@rachelstrode652]

Love your channel! Thank you for the great information, I’m a new mom of a 6 month old baby girl and I’ve been watching you since she was born. You’ve inspired me to use Montessori methods in our home greatly!

[@thebyrdsnest1465]

I was inspired to use a floor bed because of you! I just did a video on how it is going-I would love to be able to pick your brain about it!

[@fairdinkumsheila]

OmG what a gem, can't wait to be able to watch this whole video! Thanks for this!! ❤️

[@AR-k39]

Great video! It’s nice to hear you’re human, I feel guilty for losing my cool, even though I do try to be positive and do positive discipline. I’m 3-6 Montessori trained, and this is great! It’s nice to visit other Montessori moms. I also allow pretend In our home as my 3 year old loves Disney Princesses. We do tell her when things are not real, and she will ask “is this real?” She has even asked if we are real, so I do hope it’s not to confusing for her! She knows dogs don’t talk even though she has watched a show with them talking. Thanks for the reminder that doing chores around my kids is good ! I will sometimes feel guilty for not playing or engaging them but this all goes along with giving them space to play, explore, and observe. I, of course, do give them my 1:1 attention daily as well.

[@valeriebroersma1033]

Thank you so much for this Q&A. I have been watching your vlogs and absorbing your advice for over a year now (my girls are almost the same age as yours) and I always come away having learned something that I can implement in my home. Even my husband is asking what your family is up to each week now and I share with him what I learn from your Montesssori at Home series. So a big thank you again from a Canadian mama.

[@jassasingh518]

I really like your videos. Everynight before going to bed I see your old videos, these are like stress reliever for me.Thank you so much

[@FunkyColdify]

My mom told us when we were very young about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, and not once, ever, did my brother or I feel like we were missing out (a common argument friends will make about our decision to tell our kids the truth). We didn't really "play Santa", but still did Easter baskets and dyed eggs, and gave my mom our teeth when they fell out in exchange for a quarter. She also made it extremely clear that a lot of other children took these things very seriously, and it was not our place to tell them otherwise. I remember other kids excitedly chatting about Santa, and I would basically play along, except they didn't know we were playing. My mom later told me she was devastated when she found out as a little girl, and refused to put her own kids through it. I'm really grateful to have just been told the truth early on.

[@minnie156]

All your videos always are soooo encouraging and truly safe my life in this journey with my little baby as a new mom! Thank you so much Ashley. You are the Best!!!

[@sarahrosen4985]

Regarding more than one language with children, I can tell you a lovely example I witnessed first hand at my daughter's nursery school of how well children can deal with them. We are American ex-pats living in a non-English speaking country. All of our children adapted without problems from a purely English environment to a whole new language when they started nursery school, my oldest at 2 and my youngest at 9 months. But my example is a 2 yr old in my oldest daughter's private nursery school. The woman running the class had a get together with the parents and children (remember when people could get together?) a little after the school year started. The little girl's mother was French and her father American. They had brought along the Russian nanny who would be picking the daughter up every afternoon at 13:00 and staying with her until her parents came home from work. 4 different adults; 4 different languages. While this teacher / parents / nanny foursome were talking, the little girl - 2 yrs old - came over to speak. She seamlessly addressed and answered each adult in their respective language. It was amazing. Children don't have those limits that we acquire as we get older.

[@castroburger]

I just love your videos so much. We don’t have a Montessori household per say, but I love taking little nuggets of information from your videos and applying them to our lifestyle. I have to say that the results are always positive. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! 🥰 And responding to something fantastic that you mentioned...when I’m in the kitchen, both my 4yo and 15mo refuse to leave my side. It can be so frustrating having them “help” with things, but you’re so right about it being worth it when I finally do have my “me” time. I also see how happy it makes them to assist me with everything and that’s infinitely better (and easier!) than me struggling to do what I need to do while simultaneously trying to keep them out of the way. So I certainly try to inject some Montessori elements into our household where I can! 😊

[@HapaFamily]

I’m so happy to hear this! :)

[@westmdmama]

I'm watching this in bits as I have time- two littles and I really want to absorb the information- so I may make another comment before I'm done. But, I love the "less is more" idea! When I was teaching I always kept my room welcoming but simple. My kids were overwhelmed by too much decor and too many items, so I tried to keep mine simple. It also helped my kiddos focus, many of them really struggled with sustained attention. (I taught middle school special education.)

[@lilycady3834]

Really appreciate your honesty and how down to earth you are!

[@michaelshelbyedwards]

I speak English to my kids and my husband speaks Polish to them. My three year old is highly verbal and now delightfully fluent in both languages without us doing anything special except speaking to her in our own respective languages as we go about our days together. Works like a charm!

[@martaharo9605]

Sending my love to you and your family 💖

[@immecourtney4442]

I recently just found your channel and I am in love with it. I even sent my boyfriend a few of your videos lol. We’re still about 3 years out from wanting to start having kids but it’s never too early to start becoming informed 💕

[@ebehrens]

1 language per parent method works in my house! I was just about to ask you how to explain about Santa when you mention fantasy, thanks for covering that question!

[@dulcefb7383]

We speak 3 languages in our house (English, Spanish. Gujarati) my toddler understands all 3. They are like sponges!

[@simply_linka]

Thank you for answering my question ❤️ I totally agree with you! I also read ficticious books to my daughter, I try to clarify what is real and what's not. Her favourite book is "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?", she sees it on Kylie and Mias's shelf every time we watch your blogs, and she knows that a blue horse is not necessarily something that exists for real 😊

[@hbcazx]

Your video and what you have to say -- Amazing. I have a 2 and 3 year old its a been a slow 6 month transition over to the Montessori lifestyle and I have been feeling less overwhelmed and hectic every day. Thank you for all your content and your videos

[@alinak4925]

Thank you for answering the last question the way you did! Much love

[@Kris-pe5ls]

Hi Ashley! ☺️💚 About raising multilingual children, there is a KZbin channel of a mom from Europe called 'multilingual family' that raise her children 3 lenguages at the same time.. The first 2 are like you said, each parent speak only their native language with the child 24/7 and the parent that speaks the 3 language the best wear something like a big hat or a tie so the child sees it and relate with the language and by doing that they don't get confused. She only starts reading or talking to the child while wearing this. Love your videos and I learn a lot from you! Thank you 💚💚💚

[@chloepocket3953]

Thank you so much with the subtitles because I'm from France and sometimes I don't understand very well all the things you're saying. Anyway I love your videos, having a little one I was questioning about Santa and how to explain to him that it's not real. Wishing you the best!

[@sarahrosen4985]

Chloe, so happy to hear of a Montessori parent in France. On another channel we are discussing French parenting and how it differs from Anglo countries.

[@idk-xy5di]

such an amazing channel truly helps as i work with young kids (from 3 months to 3 years)

[@haniyyahahmadbonvini1980]

I hugged my phone watching this video! You’re amazing.

[@furiouskrim]

Your videos are always informative and enjoyable. Thanks so much!

[@Elvaelvaku]

So many great questions and answers from everyone! Thanks for taking the time sharing your opinions 💛

[@jacrundell]

Your eyes are so green!! 💕 so pretty. :)

[@AudreyCLord]

This is a beautiful video q&a, super helpful!! I would be interested in a video on the art of observing our kids, truly seeing their needs and interests, seeing where they are at in their learning. It's not of an art than a skill. Some of it has to do with resisting the "urge" to push for more more more for us as parents. Another video, maybe shorter than normal, about your whole view on the ins and outs of respecting children as full little humans. I kind of have down, but this is just a topic not present enough in the world and I would absolutely love to hear your words and passion on this ❤

[@AudreyCLord]

**it's *more* of an art than a skill

[@Kaylebfinds]

Always so informative and insightful!! ❤️ love you guys

[@avisworld4845]

Although I am waiting for a reply of my question, I loved every bit of this video. Beautifully answered. Thank you

[@claudiajade624]

Here's hoping you're still making these videos /e-courses when your girls are teenagers :) Would love to see

[@wildflower7321]

I messed up. I was the mom always in my child's face showing them toys, singing, playing, books all the time. I thought I was doing the right thing always socializing with them. Now I have two children ages 2 and 4 who do not know how to play independently! What can I do about this now?! I have barely any time for chores and cooking is always with them clinging to me. So stressful. Help. Just found your channel and subscribed. LOVE how you give real life situations!

[@summerwillows4655]

I remember being 5 or 6 and my cousins told me santa wasn't real and they explained in their own child like perspective the st. Nick story. And I distinctly remember thinking that "yeah, santa not being real made a lot of sense and I kind of suspected there was more to this whole santa story my parents told me. But I remember distinctly thinking my cousins were lame and boring not to believe! And decided that I was just going to continue to believe/pretend in santa". My mom was not happy they told me and she basically said that her brother wasn't into celebrating santa and that was fine. I'd say she probably a little upset and worried that my cousins had destroyed my sense of wonder, but actually it was kind of helpful. I still believed, but just believed in an idea of Santa and not that he was a real person. It helped a lot when I went to school and other kids would "spoil" santa and I saw a number of classmates cry when they found out.

[@therogueprincess3091]

Thank you for answering my question! :)

[@sarahrosen4985]

Regarding sign language: all public day cares in my country use some sign language to help the babies and children (and the teachers). Maternity leave is only 3 months so babies start day care at 4 months. The most popular sign is 'more' - particularly useful at meal times. :-) As a native English-speaking household in a non-native English-speaking country, I think it was helpful to my little girl to see that the sign for 'more' works no matter what language people are speaking.

[@shivanithakur-ic5pe]

I love your videos...its so insightful

[@mariahgina1224]

I had a swing and never used it either. I always just put her on the floor on front of me. It's so crazy seeing the difference in my parenting to others. I let my daughter do her own thing. Most parents I know follow their children around and don't let them explore/learn freely. This just came naturally for me. My daughter is always at the dishwasher. Been obsessed with it since was 6 months. It's so funny to me.

[@TheCatholicHomemaker]

Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your experience with talking about Santa to your oldest! My girls are about the same age as yours and I have been struggling for a while about how to handle Santa. I remember my own experience with Santa (feeling betrayed when I figured out the truth) and I don’t want to lie to my children. Your conversation seems like the perfect solution, without lying and without “ruining it” for other kids. Also, related to being bilingual in your home - is your husband just going to speak Mandarin to your kids? Do you know of good Chinese children’s books resources? I studied Mandarin and also started teaching some to my kids, but my Chinese is rusty now, so we could definitely benefit from good children’s books.

[@mariahgina1224]

Thank you for discussing Santa. I don't want to do Santa and I've been thinking of how I will explain to my daughter that it's pretend.

[@cal6780]

I don't think I've ever been this early 😂This is a great video!

[@brandicraven1873]

This is so good! You give so many examples that touch each child. And I love how you say “to hell with them!” More people need to focus on themselves and enjoy the differences in other families ❤️ I have a 4 yr old who’s solely interested in counting/math activities. I also have twin 2 year olds who are like night and day... one has no focus and is wild (thanks to you I now know he’s solely focused on gross motor skills). The other loves puzzles/shape sorters/colors... it’s very interesting working with each of them but thank you for hitting the nail on the head with each!

[@gracemugauri4043]

Thank God i dont believe in santa and faries and magic, montessori is jus perfect for us. Thank you soo much Ashley for taking the time to teach us, this has completley changed me as a parent who was strugling with a very strong willed 28 month old may God bless you abundantly..

[@sarahchen3749]

Thanks for hardworking and sharing these tips to us

[@MikkaRoqueJacobson]

Oh my gosh! We are so blessed to have your videos, your wisdom and flexibility. I dunno what it was about your answer about Santa that almost made me teat up 🤣 in a good way! I guess ive just felt the same way, like i dont want to lie to my kids but at the same time i didnt want them to not be able to experience the whole Santa situation if they wanted to. That was a beautiful response 🤣🥰♥️

[@sm-zs3sf]

i wish you would publish a book with all your great advices😍.i just recently found your channel and I am so thankful!! please recommend me just 1 or 2 books(i do not want to buy more then 2 books on this topic cause I already have tons of books in my house) that you used that contain clear examples of how to discipline/teach your toddler the limits. thank you and be blessed 🙏!

[@jackie4114]

She has a video on book recommendations in the Montessori playlist and many of her Montessori videos have book recommendations in the description. The best one to get your feet wet is, "The Montessori Toddler".

[@cocowhite588]

Are you doing a video for 19-21 months Montessori activities? Like the others you have posted? I’ve been waiting for it ♥️

[@anna-katehowell9852]

I was raised "one language one parent" (although my mom didn't live with us after I was 8) so I was speaking German to my dad and English at school. I am 29 and function at roughly the level of a junior-high aged native speaker, which is pretty good considering I haven't really kept it up much!

[@catherineb8658]

We decided last year not to do Santa and had a conversation with my stepson about how Santa is a fun game parents like to do but he's not actually real. His mom was very upset with us (I'll admit we maybe should've given at least a heads up to her on what we were going to do in hindsight" but we knew we weren't going to lie to him about it. This year right before Christmas we were having a conversation about the importance of honesty and how lying damages trust, and he came out with "well you're lying to me because you said Santa's not real but he IS!" Yikes 😬 needless to say it'll be interesting to see how this plays out over the years! Other than when we first told him we never bring it up unless he does so hopefully that'll take any extra drama out of the situation.

[@michellebustos5671]

Thanks so much for the informative vlog. Do you have any thoughts on how you would manage the Santa conversation with your girls and how they interact with their peers who may believe in Santa?

[@lilipoole8696]

U deserve more subscribers ! ❤️❤️❤️💕

[@michaelshelbyedwards]

What?! Talking animals not okay for Montesorri? No Beatrix Potter? CS Lewis? Grimm’s Fairy Tales? Aesop?!!! As an artist and poet, I can’t imagine not encouraging my girls to love these things. Some of the greatest minds and creators of culture have embraced and created these kinds of fantasies. They teach moral lessons and simply inspire the heart. I’m loving what I’m finding out through incorporating Montessori techniques with my toddlers but I will always want to foster in them a love - which is so natural - of these great aspects of human expression. So long as they are meaningful, morally good, and have stood the test of time. “Art is a lie that tells the truth” after all. I hope my kids will have poetic hearts, too. As for Santa, we have no problem. We explain that St. Nicholas is a holy Bishop from a long time ago in Turkey who did very good things. As Catholics we believe St. Nicholas is alive and in heaven with Jesus and all the saint. He can indeed see us and hear our prayers along with all the saints and angels in heaven. We honor him and he continues to pray for us. Later they will understand that “Santa” is a symbol of that man who loved and still loves God so much. We will definitely continue to embrace our Catholic (and American) culture in our home in a way that works for our values. I think of many of these things as expressions of love that point to deeper truths. Children grow to appreciate the reality behind them as they become more mature. I definitely did. Fantasy is not a lie; it’s a figure thar points to the truth.

[@Ketovore-RN]

Yayy! First one to comment and like! 💕 I LOVE your content!

[@katarinamilenkovic5551]

Hello,Hapa family. You are the best❤️ I just had a conversation with my husband and I realised I've not been paying enough attention to my children's social skills. Maybe even sabotaging them a little,by not permitting them some things that other children do. What is your opinion on this subject? All the best to you and your lovely family from Serbia 😘

[@mariat8848]

Play is the work of the child 🥰

[@hkandm4s23]

With covid going on, I'm ok with quite a bit more screen time for my 14 month old because we watch it together and she learns new words and concepts. Last time I counted at her 1st birthday she signed over 50 words independently. (Dad and I both know asl) We can't go to the zoo but she can watch a nature show and and will sign all the animals names. We dance to her favorite elmo songs and she can watch Daniel tiger go to school. We of course read books too but libraries are closed, books are expensive and pbs kids is free and has no commercials.

[@user-kp4uf8bo5i]

The Santa thing makes me so sad. My parents were honest with me about Santa from the very beginning and I can say that it really stole the magic of Christmas from my childhood. I remember so many years of feeling totally heartbroken and jealous that other children got to enjoy it. We still celebrated and did all the 'pretend' Santa stuff but it just wasn't the same.

[@d.c.1851]

My partner and I disagree on how we will handle the Santa topic when we have children. I don't want to lie to my kids but my partner wants to have all the fun Santa activities. I think telling them as a story and playing a santa game in the holiday season is a good in between. I'll see how my partner feels about it. Hopefully we can both win.

[@m0bz0mb39]

In my expirance fictional stories makes your child more imaginative which is great💕

[@raynab3241]

Thank you, Ashley! I always learn a lot from your channel, and you are the one who lead me to go on this Montessori path for my 3 month old girl. I am trying to do Montessori for my girl since her birth, and now she can focus on activities on her play gym and play by herself for over 30-45 mins. I am wondering if that’s too long for such a little girl to play independently. I know you said it depends on babies, but I am also worried that it may cause her emotional development to delay or to harm. I try to stay next to her but when I have so many chores to do, I let her play by herself and do those chores done. She’s okay with that until she gets sleepy. I am wondering how much time you let Mia to play by herself when she was this age and how you balanced the independent play and bonding time. Thank you!!!

[@claudiajade624]

So torn with how to manage the whole Santa/Easter bunny/Tooth fairy thing. On the one hand as you say, don't want to be 'lying' to them. And I do remember at school learning that Santa wasn't real, and then having this weird divide im my mine between me and my mum, that she was continuing this facade which I knew to be false. But, I also remember Loving the magic of Santa and (in particular) the tooth fairy. So...Im not sure. Perhaps I will still have it until they are approaching school age, so at least I know I will be the one to explain it properly, rather than them finding out elsewhere...Yeah still not sure. :)

[@supersparkley123]

How does Montessori discuss teaching manners: please, thank you, excuse me, or using polite words?

[@ukrainianpride100]

Kids copy you, so as long as you use those in front of your child, they will mimic you 👍🏻

[@sfowler1017]

Montessori teaches to be respectful of others so that includes being polite. But as for how to teach that, just doing it yourself is the best way.

[@jackie4114]

You can also do role playing. You can practice welcoming someone into your home, how to answer a phone, how to introduce yourself to someone new, how to ask for something, etc. You show them how it's done (possibly you and another adult, or maybe using toys) and then invite your child to do it with you.

[@Sarah-dm6kj]

Hi Ashley! I've been listening to your videos over again while setting up my 15 month old and 3 month old's space in our new home. The biggest issue I'm having is with my 15 month old and the shelving system. He loves helping out around the house, but he enjoys taking everything off his shelf (we have a 6 compartment KALLAX set up in our living room) and the activities just get mixed up on the floor. My husband and I are both WFH, and every opportunity we have we try to show him the steps - remove the tray from the shelf, bring it to the floor, finish the activity, return it to the shelf...however, he doesn't follow through without instruction every time. Do you think this is just an age thing and will go away eventually with constant reinforcement? I just feel alone having this issue and haven't read about anyone else going through it!

[@chany6336]

your little ones are probably very different now, but I had the same issue with mine when he was around 14 months old. I decided to make it more obvious for him and actually bought cupboards with doors (see through/windows) it was easier for him to understand that he can take one thing out of the cupboard, close it, and when he s done with it he has to put it back in order to take the next one. After a week or so he got it and we very rarely have 2 toys out at the same time, which makes him focus and play with the chosen one. If you re still looking for a solution, maybe this is an option? Good luck :)

[@kamyllem4867]

@@chany6336 I was wondering the same thing. My daughter usually takes everything out even though we don’t have separate cubbies but rather just shelves. I just wonder how that works.

[@chany6336]

@@kamyllem4867 to be honest, I tried the open cupboard thing mainly because I selfishly love the look lol But it proved difficult for me to enforce any thing. Now I believe he maybe didn't understand any separation between toys. In our cupboard every game with multiple components are in one Ziploc bag; meaning he physically can only ever take one handful out at a time . But I also believe that now he would understand the open concept. I have to say though I am generally more a strict mum and unfortunately had some tears in the beginning, him not being able to just take out the whole content of those cupboards !! So for a second baby I am definitely doing more.researxh for a more gentler method 😬

[@faithcugler6755]

Cooking with a one-year-old...learning tower! If he cant touch what I'm cooking, he gets his own bowl and spoon next to me, but my 15 mo stirs (cooked) meat on the hot stove and he knows not to touch the pot!

[@TâmNguyễn-h7f]

wow, gréat. Loved this real video,

[@gabriellemanier2223]

I want to have a montessori home envirnment. I just feel a lot of pressure in the sense that i have a ring stack and it isnt wooden and basic. Its soft and has crinkly. And part of me is thinking oh i have to throw every item out!! That isnt wooden and plain color. It doesnt seem right. Help! Im new to this. I think im over thinking it in that sense.

[@gabriellemanier2223]

@@teri03 thank you so much :)

[@cassidyrollins263]

I think letting them help with chores is great but I say danger when it comes to taking things out of the dishwasher. The first thing I think of is a knife

[@marinafernandes8543]

I believe for europeans this multilanguage environment is a reality. I’m bilingual... My husband trilingual and we left Italian aside... But we speak Portuguese and English at home and watch TV or listen to music in both languages. BUT we’ve been living in Germany so when we go out we automatically start speaking German... It’s weird, but it’s our family dynamic... Our son also realizes we have friends who only speak German or Portuguese or English... Our baby will get along - I suppose. I still don’t know how to approach language materials though... Like the sound of letters... But I have time to figure that out. Our son learned German first and the other languages came naturally afterwards... with English was harder at first... He woud ask us how to read this or that... But now he’s pretty ok

[@ellenh3508]

So very helpful. Thank you!

[@cutielittle1]

Yeah pandemic made us to get confined to home. I don't even dare to think of taking my baby(23m) on to the road coz of people without masks/socialdistancing. I feel bad about that. Luckily my cousins live next door n they have a toddler of Kylies age and they sometimes have a play date.

[@astro10651]

Loved the advice!👌

[@koellekind]

Long-time memory only develops around 4 years old, so it's no wonder that we do not remember anything from when we were 3 or younger. ;)