MONTESSORI AT HOME: Care of Self for Toddlers | Teeth Brushing, Hand Washing, & Getting Dressed

[@cassandrahultenschmidt8784]

for socks i have been doing "thumbs in the hole, stretch it out wide, push in your foot and pull up the side"

[@nicolemuhring2838]

Hey :) I‘m a mom from Germany; so first: sorry for any spelling mistakes. I started watching your videos a couple of weeks ago and I really appreciate them so much. I have a 4 year old son and last year in March a 9 month old girl moved in! She turned 2 in June and recently started calling me Mama (she only speaks a few words because her start wasn‘t that good) I wanted to let you know, how inspired I am by your videos. We just made some changes in our home to give our girl more ability to feel indepedent. It‘s a benefit for our boy too, but he was raised kind of independently anyway. The girl has gone through trauma and she knows hunger and her needs not being met. So a small place in our kitchen, where she can get some healthy snacks and water or tea all by her own gives her some safety! Your way of parenting is amazing for any child, but it also is a huge benefit for Kids who need to feel independent because of trauma and neglect. It gives them safety and a home, that feeds their needs. I have worked in a home for traumatized children for 9 years until we decided we wanted to be a family for a child that needs one! At the moment we are in the process for another child. I have done some change here at home and I am still continuing to do so! Like you said in one of your videos: the mindset often is the hardest part and I am working in that as well. Especially, when the child has gone through so much and you just want to put them in cotton 😅 so I bite my tongue and sit on my hands Sorry for the long post! I hope it is understandable. Long story short: I am glad I found you and you definetely make a difference!!

[@shazmcuk]

This is wonderful ❤️

[@keriannebyer2091]

Very inspiring! Wishing you and your family all the best!

[@nicolemuhring2838]

Thank you so much ♥️

[@katzinkakat8106]

That sounds beautiful, wish you all the best! I work in a home for traumatized children too (at the moment I am at home with my 15 months old daughter) and I am really impressed by your choice. :)

[@panayotadestiny5125]

Amazing, we need more people like you!

[@gilraencalaelen4185]

For teeth brushing my brother in law made up a "game". He is telling his son what he is brushing away. Like "oh I think there might be a noodle back there", "we need to remove the carrot of your teeth" and so on, going through everything they ate that day. Both his kids loved it and went from resistance straight to cooperation.

[@HelgatheHorriblez]

We call them “sugar bugs”

[@aritenenbaum391]

Brilliant! My dad used to do that with food that my sister didn't want to eat. He'd say, "don't eat that one, that's my nose!" or "that one is my eye!" and then make silly faces and noises as though she was eating his nose or eye. Worked like a charm and I'll do it too if my kids are picky eaters.

[@realrealwithkimmy1851]

Am definitely going to try

[@sapphictoadstool]

i don’t have a kid, obviously (it’s probably weird that a sixteen-year-old watches and enjoys these kinds of videos, but i digress). my three-year-old sister and i always brush our teeth together and we have this one song to the tune of row, row, row your boat... brush, brush, brush your teeth brush them nice and clean back and forth and up and down to not get gum disease it’s pretty rad if i do say so myself 😎

[@ayanacruz4369]

I love this! I’m going to try this with my 2 year old.

[@koellekind]

I love it as well! :D

[@AmmaraSHAH773377]

I swear i heard them sing this with kylie in a later vlog so maybe its been used in other areas too

[@aguilacec]

I like it 😊

[@youboykadeeeee]

For pj shirts. Arms in, over the head, pull the shirt down, time for bed

[@nikkivanluven209]

When baby goes down for a nap and you check your favorite channel and see a new video 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ChrystalPaull]

Same!!

[@tiffanychalmers8866]

Yaay! This is so timely. My 16mo has been trying to put her socks on herself for a few days. Off to re-organise the chest of drawers so that her clothes are lower down. Thank you 🙏 Little update: I offered a choice of clothing after nap time and I could tell Little was so pleased to be asked. So sweet and I’ll definitely keep doing that. Thank you again.

[@Janani264]

I have been singing your put on pants song with my 19 mo ever since she was 16 mo and she sings along with me now saying “wiggle wiggle wiggle” and I pause for her to see her toes and she says “toes” almost like it’s a peekaboo! Thank you for sharing such insightful information with us.

[@elliemccarthy5672]

I love your videos so much! I am a college student, but I can't wait till post-covid so I can start interacting with kids again on a regular basis! You have taught me so much about how to talk with young children (like sportscasting, not excessively praising, to acknowledging their feelings, etc), and people always comment on how patient I am with their toddlers. I just feel am being respectful! For example, my two year old cousin was repeatedly running down the stairs, around our not super child proof basement and back up. After 10 times, I told her thats the last time, and she was very upset. I completely forgot to warn her that it would be her last time, so I said "I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you that would be our last time. We will run around one more time, then we will stay upstairs." Meltdown avoided! The parents were so impressed that I was "patient" with her, but I just was correcting my rude mistake!

[@nataliehettinger652]

For washing hands or body we sing, “Wash, wash, wash your hands. Wash them nice and clean. Scrubbly, bubbly, scrubbly, bubbly! Wash them nice and clean!” To the tune of row row row row your boat. Works well for brushing teeth, too.

[@elizabethl8037]

I do the same for brushing teeth! “Brush brush brush your teeth, brush them very well! Make your teeth so nice and clean, so your breath won’t smell”

[@szzsuzsanna5781]

There is so much wisdom in this method. It is like understanding a language most people could not figure out for centuries. Watching your videos I keep discovering interesting solutions for "problems" or challenges parents around me can not tackle with the traditional way. They get frustrated, the child gets frustrated and it is difficult to watch them from outside. Your videos shine a different and bright light on raising children. It is not the traditional domination of the parents, but more like a path which they walk together on, with the guidance of the parents. I loved your example of "waiting it out" when it comes to the silly little things. Thank you Ashley! Not only for the information but the enthusiasm and love you share this with. 💙

[@batteryempty]

I have been giving my baby the toothbrush at every bathtime since he could hold things. Now he is 1 year old and brushes his teeth absolutely on his own. Never underestimate children and babies. They are geniuses and learn any habit, be good or bad, in a split second. Teach them everything as early as possible and you will have an amazingly independent and smart child ❤

[@misslaureinement]

😅😢😢😢😢I

[@dancingjessica]

Mia is so calm while you take over the tooth brushing. With my child, it is a fight every time. What do you suggest when the answer to " is it mamas turn yet?" Is always "No."

[@clairestandley82]

Maybe just don't phrase it as a question. "It's mom's turn now." Then "it's your turn next" and let them finish

[@sfowler1017]

I established it where I go first and then my daughter does her turn.

[@HelgatheHorriblez]

I’d use a timer, then let them finish

[@selinahernandez9887]

I sing counting to ten, then say "my turn!" Then sing-count to ten again and say, "your turn" handing it back. We do this 3-5 times until I'm sure I've brushed well. Once she was familiar with it, it worked well with my now-almost 4 year old when she was young, and has been working with my 18 month old. It can also be used for mixing batter or wherever else they really want to help with but you need to make sure it's done well :)

[@AmmaraSHAH773377]

@@selinahernandez9887 oh snap thank you shes been brushing herself (teething with the brush and enjoying the paste lol) from 10months but now im sneeking in 5 seconds of brushing her teth one by one hahaha she dies the thing i did leaning back and then says bassss (done) wherever i try my turn i even tried letting her brush my teeth. She likes my electric brush which actually cleans her teeth too but im not sure it is safe for her to have her own yet at 14 months

[@mamapickle8876]

Absolutely loving the new blue background - such a gorgeous colour!!

[@manasichampanerkar]

Yeah.. absolutely beautiful colour

[@radiumtam]

I also adapted your pants rhyme to Cantonese because that's what I usually speak to him, where I changed 'toes' to 'big toes' just to keep the rhyme. We've been doing it for months now and 'big toes' is one of the first body parts that he learnt to understand hahaha. He can accurately distinguish 'big toe' and the rest of the toes. He's 15.5m now.

[@Prettyarale]

Hi~ do you mind share your Cantonese version? I was thinking how should that be when I was watching the video.

[@radiumtam]

@@Prettyarale 绳仔喺上面，脚仔伸入個窿，掹啊掹啊掹啊，直到見到隻腳趾公 lol

[@Prettyarale]

@@radiumtam Thank you~

[@hollyrayl9863]

I made up my handwashing song for our now 2-year-old (we've probably been using it for at least 6 month now). I heard that you're supposed to wash your hands for the duration of Happy Birthday x2, but I didn't want to sing Happy Birthday! So I just made up words to go to the same tune. "This is the hand washing song. This is the hand washing song. I will sing it two times, then my hands will be clean!" And repeat. Hope this helps someone!

[@LissaxKristine]

If you do want to give your child independence but are worried about the mess of them pulling clothes out, why not just limit the number of choices they have? Only put a few items from each category in their drawers at a time and store other items in a place that's easier for an adult to access. It could be as simple as only having 5 shirts in their drawer at any one time. When you put one shirt in the wash, take another from storage and put it in the child's drawer. That way, all the clothes go through a rotation. Things are more likely to be used, the child isn't overwhelmed by too many choices, and having fewer items in each drawer means less to clean up if the child does choose to pull things out. I found a couple adorable poems and songs that not only help children wash their hands for the appropriate amount of time but also guide them in learning proper handwashing techniques [which is essential these days!]. One of my favorites includes all of the steps the WHO says you should take when washing hands (though, in a slightly different order): [To the tune of "Frère Jacques"] Scrub your palms. Between the fingers. Wash the back, wash the back. Twirl the tips around. Scrub them upside down. Thumb attack, thumb attack. I assume that even for a child who likes brushing their teeth, having a little choice in the process can be helpful. Even if you're not ready to give them the choice between a manual and an electric toothbrush, simply having two different manual toothbrushes available can help. "Do you want to use your pink or your green toothbrush?"

[@HapaFamily]

I can always count on you to add in insightful ideas!! Thank you!! ☺️💕

[@LissaxKristine]

@@HapaFamily You're welcome! Oh and apparently, you can put toothpaste in a soap dispenser! I'd combine that with the trick of using rubber bands to limit how far the pump can be pushed down, and obviously use a different soap dispenser than one used for actual soap, but this could be a way to allow a toddler or preschooler the opportunity to put their toothpaste on their toothbrush independently while they're working on the skills needed to be able to do that independently. Hmmm. I also think you could use some cheap toothbrushes, paint, and some refillable toothpaste bottles to do some art and work on developing those skills. Fill the toothpaste dispenser with paint (possibly mixed with some corn starch/flour to give it a paste-like consistency? I'm not 100% sure what would work best here) and then let the child paint by squeezing the paste onto the brush and using the brush to spread the paint onto the paper, etc. The more they do it, the better they'll be at controlling how much comes out of the tube and whether or not the paint gets on the toothbrush or not.

[@khadijahabdurrazaaq6823]

Excellent idea

[@adrip7558]

Excellent ideas! Thank you!

[@nikitsir11]

Thank you so much. You've inspired me to be a better mom.

[@ckee8437]

If you really hate picking up spilled clothes just limit the amount of items in the drawer...

[@HapaFamily]

Yes!!! Forgot to mention that, thank you for adding it!! ☺️💕👏🏻

[@melmaciancats5788]

if my little one only would leave them next to the drawer...

[@leaunger97]

Yeah well if you have the space, then go for it. I sadly dont have it.

[@Vickytoria33]

My heart melted seeing your baby girl brush her teeth 😍 Thank u so much for these videos

[@gracens1380]

Thanks for the suggestions! Teeth brushing has been hard. I had not thought of giving him his turn first😁

[@drmahimapandit3728]

Please make a video on how to manage motherhood calmly and happily.❤️

[@bradenkidstv6861]

I have a grandchild and he learn so fast. It is truly amazing!

[@endlessrachael]

I love your videos. I'm thankful for this. I've got two two years olds!

[@metalscholarsreact666]

She makes me want to be a better mum. She is so clear and to the point as well. Love these videos

[@clairestandley82]

Ugh, I just love and appreciate your high quality content. Thank you!

[@_unplugsociety_9491]

I am thankful and excited to implement your tips. Especially tooth brushing! I really want her to enjoy taking care of her teeth.

[@princesspitogo5306]

I fell inlove with the rhyme on putting the pants so i am using it now with my students (toddlers) and we all enjoy saying and doing it together! Thanks for that, it's brilliant! 🤗

[@lizzyweiglein5041]

Hi Ashley! I just wanted to tell you that you are such an inspiration to me for how I want to raise my children! I have been binging your videos for a few weeks now and I am already thinking of how to implement Montessori in my home with my 8 month old son. I am also 27 weeks pregnant so I’m excited to start Montessori right from birth with my second!

[@helenfrimu9851]

I got my husband to build a pinterest wardrobe before our little one was born but wish I'd thought more about making it accessible to her. She definitely wants to dress herself so will have to work it out. She loves clothes, particularly jackets, so much that she takes them to bed to cuddle!! 😂 she loves clothes! I know she'd like to dress herself! This video is really well timed and helpful, thanks again

[@_unplugsociety_9491]

You're an amazing mother! Thank you for your videos!

[@darcyrosemontoya1649]

When I worked at a preschool we had a rhyme for hand washing. It went, "Fronts and backs and inbetweens, that's how we get squeaky clean." I noticed it didn't help all that much with the younger toddlers, but the older toddlers and even the elementary school kids that came for aftercare would pay more attention to the soap actually reaching all parts of their hands.

[@jaenateo84]

So so so grateful for this video! Thank you so much for sharing all these in such details. My 10.5month old used to be okay with me brushing her teeth with a finger tooth brush, but since we transited to and proper tooth brush, she has been resisting. She would just give me 5 secs, and then start to cover her mouth with her hands, or turn her face away and then eventually she would stiffen her body to push me away. I was thinking whether should i be more forceful, but i wasn't comfortable with that for the simple reason that i don't want teethbrushing to be a negative experience; which will become a problem because of how frequently we need to do this. We hope for it to be a positive experience. So now that i know i can relax and make it fun and light and just wait for her to get a good sense of the routine. Thank you so much!

[@jadelightsword]

I love watching toddler Mia!

[@cocowhite588]

My 15th month old does exactly the same while brushing her teeth. What I noticed is that she does it when molars or teeth are coming. I just do same as you we take lots of pauses and that really does the job. Also we sing the mulberry bush for washing hands, brushing teeth, cleaning hands ahahaha everything and she dances too 🥰. Toddlers are amazing ❤️

[@porcelmn]

If you introduce a silicone toothbrush when the bb starts teething it’s so easy to make tooth brushing a routine! haaka makes an awesome toothbrush that makes a great teether 👍🏽

[@MsSadie02]

Thank you Ashley, the tooth brushing struggle is real!

[@drmahimapandit3728]

You look so happy in all of your videos. That actually helps us moms smile in a busy nerve wrecking day with a preschooler🙄. How do you manage this btw.👍 Anyways here is a teeth brushing song my 3.5 olds school has taught. I have a toothbrush neat and gay To brush my teeth with everyday I brush them in the morning and brush them in the night Till they are shining clean and bright ( In a similar tune as yours😉)

[@manasichampanerkar]

Thanks for sharing. . I can have something more to add to same old Mulberry bush

[@mellyayble]

I love your videos so much. and the way you always talk with a smile is just so cute lol. it makes me smile too. I dont even have kids but I love your videos. you are so knowledgeable and you have the cutest kids. much love, god bless.

[@traceynicolaas817]

Your videos remind me to slow down and have patience. Thank you for the great content and constant reminder that we as adults should step back and relax in order to enjoy the (slow, lol) process with our toddlers.

[@sarahmestiri1855]

I m so surprised how much patience she has 😅😅 I d love to di all what she says but I dont think I have that patience 🙈

[@myogisshala1195]

Dear Ashley, thank you for very inspiring video. I have been watching your videos for over months now. I have 16months old daugther and trying to apply montessori education. Regarding her self care, she can wash her hands but she rejects using a towel. I dont know if I should do it with her anyway or just remind it all the time and see if one day she would do it. I even made it fun how to dry hands and does not work. She immediately goes to play. I even showed her that her hands are wet and she understands it but does not want to dry them. Thank you!

[@yadiramartinez3723]

THANK YOU! Your videos are insightful and I appreciate your honesty. You make this lifestyle so inviting!

[@dianavellegulla-mallari7594]

You may try to check Mother Goose Club's "Putting on my Clothes" song :) it encompasses step by step instructions from shirt to shoes :)

[@lakeiam615]

So many creators refer to this channel for help and ideas!

[@ushavimarsh]

I am starting to homeschool my girl who will be 3 soon. Your tips helping me alot

[@alexias1984]

Love this! My daughter is also 18M we use same toothpaste. Just want to note though that's way too much toothpaste for an 18M should be rice sized amount or just a smear

[@ShawnaeIngram]

I know it’s not too late for my son but I wish I found you when he was younger! He’s 2 1/2.

[@JustBethTrying]

As a teacher of children with autism, I just have to remind folks that not *all* children enjoy the sensory experience of hand washing-for some it’s a lot. The temperature difference between air and water temperature, the scent and slippery feeling of the soap and the texture of the towel. It can be overwhelming. All that said, they can learn to tolerate it and to become good little hand washers. This is a song I use: (Frere Jacques) Tops (back of hands) and bottoms (palms) Tops and bottoms In between, in between (between fingers) All around the outside. Are they clean? Then we repeat it and change the last phrase to Now they’re clean!

[@nadineCH1984]

I love your videos - and tonight we implented because of this video a whole new routine before bad. Our son loved it! Thank you! And greetings from Switzerland 😘

[@kathydecker636]

My husband taught our boys for faucets: righty tightly and lefty loosely.

[@kaylarivera7822]

Aw I was taught the same growing up it really did help

[@EmpatheticEmpress]

We used that in the military to remember for our maintenance jobs 🤣😩👏🏽

[@kathydecker636]

@@EmpatheticEmpress Army

[@EmpatheticEmpress]

@@kathydecker636 ❤️❤️ I still use it to this day lol. (Air Force here)

[@theblessedbarnard8876]

I couldn’t wait for nap time every since I got This notification 🙌🏼

[@auroramcwhite5857]

Hey Ashley love the new background🤩👌🏼

[@briannae7012]

Hi Ashley! Thank you once again for another incredibly helpful video. My daughter is less than a month away from turning one and I am busy preparing our environment for her. I was thinking a really interesting video would be Montessori misconceptions! Some of which I can think of are house beds, piker triangles, rainbow stackers and expensive materials. None of which are bad of course I just think this will be a very interesting topic.

[@unicornitron]

Genuinely curious-what are the misconceptions about the Pikler triangle and rainbow stacker??

[@briannae7012]

@@unicornitron So it's not that the Pikler triangle doesn't work nicely in a Montessori setting it just wasn't developed or used by Dr. Montessori. The Pikler triangle was developed by Dr. Emmi Pikler who was a pediatrician and the triangle was introduced to the United States by one of her students Magda Gerber who is responsible for the RIE approach. The stacking rainbows are more aligned to the Waldorf method and not Montessori but can still be enjoyed by anyone! We are not 100% Montessori in our home and use whatever materials we think are beneficial to us! I think it would be a very interesting topic however as the Montessori method seems to be growing in popularity. I hope this is helpful!

[@petriciadmiller4971]

I love forward to seeing your family video, it's so helpful to me as a young mom, I'm so grateful for this channel, bless up hapa family!!!♥️♥️♥️

[@melissapacheco2942]

Super helpful! Especially the tooth brushing

[@christykiespert8844]

Thank you for these helpful reminders! My 3 year old prefers long hair, but has a tender scalp - like me. 🥴 Have you ever addressed hair brushing and washing? We have some tried some things that help, but this is our main self-care struggle. Thanks!

[@DounohBTS]

I was just about to ask you how you got the kids to brush their teeth!! Thank you!

[@AB-yy9iz]

Your little one it’s a pro at brushing!!! Great tips thank you

[@JessicaNWheeler]

Nobody that I know practices Montessori in their homes however one of my friends did share with me that she sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" twice and that is how long she has her children brush their teeth before she does it to make sure its done correctly.

[@Sarah-vl4mq]

Nice work Ash! I loved the signing. Lol❤🙂

[@aritenenbaum391]

You are so helpful and informative. Thank you for taking the time to help us all be more productive, positive parents :)

[@ayanabenjamin376]

Thanks, Ashley! You're so helpful.

[@E009629]

Our electric toothbrush is a favourite toy of my 10mo son and has been since before he had teeth 😝

[@khadijahabdurrazaaq6823]

I appreciate it u so much ur a wonderful mother 😍😍

[@helenaball8457]

Hi, Ashley! Any tips for toddlers who weren’t introduced to doing it themselves early and treat hand washing as playtime?

[@philippapay4352]

It's like them learning early at school, "Stop, Drop & Roll," so they know the procedure if they're on fire. Mantras are useful. Now you need to come up with a handwashing song we can all use, so we don't have to repeat "Happy Birthday" twice to make sure we are washing long enough. In some ways it makes sense when wee ones are so used to biting on teething toys or chomping a bit on nipples or chewing food that they would try to bear down on the toothbrush. There is something to be said for children learning analog time-telling and manual toothbrush procedures so that they know what the process is when the do-it-all-for-you digital watch or electric toothbrush or automatic dishwasher is not available for use so 'how to' is pertinent.

[@OurRussiaWillBeFree]

The song is perfect! Thank you !

[@montessoriwithcoffee1416]

This was so helpful. Thank you, Ashely!

[@dinakamel9423]

I have been debating about the toddler size stations vs the normal household. I totally hear you about using the same thing everyone uses at home and I can see doing this in the bathroom but could you do a video about taking care of things themselves the kitchen? My son is 15M and I fell there are too many steps. Also, one thing I have been trying to practice on as the model for my child is having an organized way of cooking while keeping things as neat/clean as they can be. It would be great if you can make a video about best practices. He’s not interested in cooking yet but I don’t feel confident that I am ready to model that for him 😅 Thank you!

[@maanviandme3657]

You have a lovely voice and your singing was great 👌 👍 Brushing my 1 year olds teeth has been a struggle for us as well. As you said, I am trying to be calm and just trying to get a few strokes whenever she tries to taste the paste 😅 Glad to know it's a normal behavior 🤭

[@vidz953]

Your videos are so helpful + lovely 💕

[@RaquelSilva-dd3to]

My son loves the Elmo song wash your hands, and I add the words wash your fingers, rinse your hands, and dry your hands to the song as well. As for brushing the teeth my son went through a phase where he didn’t want to brush his teeth at all. The way I solved was also giving him a choice. We went to the store and he picked a few toothbrushes he liked and we always have 2-3 options in the counter for him to choose. Among those we have manual and electric and he likes both. As for getting dressed he is just lazy and does not care for getting dressed... and he will have a melt down if I don’t help him... not really sure how to solve this, he is pretty good with the rest so I don’t stress a lot, I ask him to get started and help him as he needs it.

[@TalindaBlack]

Yayy, thank you for this video - it was super helpful and amazingly inspiring, as usual. :) we taught my 22 month old to wash her hands by herself around 18 months, and it's so awesome to ser her right when we get in the door she goes to the bathroom pulls out her step, gets on it, washes her hands (still with a little bit of help) and then goes down and pushes the step under the sink :) it's the most awesome thing seeing them get something and doing it :) Question for you, when did Kylie start putting her shoes on and off by herself? :) we're also currently trying to learn the Montessori flip for the jacket - patience really is key in these situations :) thanks for making these amazing videos and for being so inspiring - love from Bulgaria :)

[@isabellaholder5086]

Hi, Ashley. This is Bella. In was wondering if you could you a video about gender stereotypes in a montessori environment? That is a topic I am very interested. Love from Arizona.

[@elizabethvalerieviceroy904]

Would you please share electric toothbrush suggestions ? Thank you

[@radiumtam]

I've got one I sort of adapted from the boat song for putting on socks - "Roll roll into a bowl, gently on your toes, merrily merrily merrily merrily roll up your ankle"

[@radiumtam]

@@JESUSANDCARNIVORESAVEDMYLIFE ......

[@ashleighwillis779]

So helpful. Thanks !

[@rachelcorliss1991]

Where did you get the bathroom step stool? It looks like a great height! Thank you for your videos!

[@lleslie17]

This was really helpful😊 thank you

[@AmmaraSHAH773377]

Ikea needs to stock up quick i haven't been able to get one the stools yet for a whole 2 months don't know if ppl are just quick to buy them

[@MsAmanda1601]

Hi Ashley thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I was wondering if you could make one video one day on how to raise a strong willed independant toddler the Montessori way?

[@annejohnson1842]

My granddaughter is a strong willed little girl and she has taught us so much. We implemented the Montessori system and its helped the adults change to allow this little whirlwind to develop into an independent young 4 yr old. We had no 'terrible twos' just a learning curve for everyone. Love it. Thanks ashley.

[@sfowler1017]

The same way you do any other child! My friend who has a super strong-willed destructive kid was SHOCKED at how he just chilled and played on his own at my house with a Montessori shelf.

[@MsAmanda1601]

@@annejohnson1842 for sure!! I learn from my daughter a lot too. Im just strugglimg a lot with potty learning and thinking maybe there is something different that I can do?

[@MsAmanda1601]

@@sfowler1017 right I hear! I imply a lot of the Montessori philosophy and learning methods and my daighter loves it! Im just struggling with potty learning especially and not so sure what I can improve...

[@sfowler1017]

@@MsAmanda1601 Have you read Oh Crap Potty Training?

[@kathrynswan6423]

Your camera quality is amazing! 😍

[@koellekind]

It's certainly for everyone to decide for themselves which toothpaste to use, however it is important to know that flouride is the single most effective prevention method against caries/cavities! The German Chemist and KZbinr Mailab has made a long video about this, looking at numerous studies.

[@koellekind]

Forgot to say - these studies were also about whether flouride intake is a problem, and long story short, it's not in these miniscule amounts, if at all!

[@pearlannm]

thank you for these videos! Where did you get the stool your daughter used in the bathroom?

[@AB-yy9iz]

When your little one bites the toothbrush while you are brushing her , beside remaining calm do you still hold the toothbrush? Or you let go and grab it again? Thanks!

[@borislavanikolova]

My son loves playing at the sink on his learning tower but he hates when I make him really wash his hands. Do you think it would be working approach if we only wash hands in the water closed and he only plays in the bathroom with no hands washing? Thank you in advance!

[@rebecca3157]

Hi! You mentioned not to worry if a kid, for example, puts their shirt on backwards? Should you guide them toward putting stuff on properly or let them enjoy their clothes as is?

[@Sillyshark33]

I would think that either one works if you want to tell them that it’s backwards you can but maybe let them decide if they want to keep it that way or not :)

[@tamstreisel4751]

When would you ship your products to Canada? Im so happy to see your products are made in Vietnam, my home country.

[@alondralima9442]

Post a morning or day with me!

[@mamapickle8876]

Watch her vlogs - they're really good and each have a "day in the life" vibe to them.

[@Molg4989]

We have my sons shoes at an accessible height for him (he’s 21 months) and he loves to practice putting shoes on. But sometimes he get super frustrated when he can’t do it. If we offer help, he gets mad too even if we’re just opening the hole wider. Any thoughts on how to approach this best?

[@AmmaraSHAH773377]

Hey i am having tickle with this right now ending what happened after this stage what helped considering hous was 8 months ago. Thanks

[@deamea5098]

I'm using small storage bins, labeled with the name of the item and pictures

[@jodalinasparty9718]

Where I live in yorkshire they dont put fluoride in the water to i have to ensure he has some in his toothpaste xxx

[@krabmea9005]

Mia is very talented. My daughter likes to bite the toothbrush. and won't let me brush my teeth what should i do?

[@nicolebrown4376]

My sons been letting us gently brush his teeth since he got teeth at 3 months and we’re starting to transition to having him brush his own teeth. Do you recommend sand timers or song timers for kids for things like hand washing and teeth brushing?

[@nicolebrown4376]

I also saw you were doing flossing how and when did you start that? My sons so little and doing so good with tooth brushing and I’m afraid if I start flossing he won’t like tooth brushing but I’m also thinking starting younger will make it less traumatic because it will be normal sooner. What is your opinion on that?

[@beaujuan1186]

When should you start this?? What age?

[@chelseabristow7789]

Thank you for the video, Ashley! Such great practical advice! I’ve been trying to implement the teeth brushing process with my 12 month old. I let her have a turn first and then I have a turn. When she has the brush, all she does is suck off the toothpaste 🤦🏼‍♀️ I try to model the process, but it doesn’t seem like it’s getting anywhere. Any tips? Thank you!

[@sfowler1017]

Why don't you brush first and then it's her turn?

[@irynadokuchaeva8910]

My 16mo always choose both dresses) But she likes her wardrobe very much. I ask her to bring me socks and she always does it!

[@ellawilkinson4480]

Any tips on how to end self care activities in a positive way? My 14 month old wants to hold onto the toothbrush even after we're done and gets very upset when I take it off him. Same with hand washing. He wants to play with the water and gets very upset when I turn off the tap. I want it to be a positive experience for him but I don't want to have to stand there for 20 minutes waiting for him to be done.

[@sfowler1017]

Except for rare occasions when you truly don't have the 20 minutes, follow the child. Play is the work of the child.

[@crystale3065]

I’ve heard using a timer is helpful! I have a 14 month old too and she doesn’t quite understand the timer yet, but you could start now and eventually it will click! Have them push start and stop on the timer and it gives them control! I learned that from @littlebigfeelings on Instagram. Also you could try switching the toothbrush with something else exciting so they maybe don’t get as upset?

[@AmmaraSHAH773377]

@@crystale3065 i like this i think i should get my 13 month old used to it from now because i read that advice in how to talk book for the ticket tests in almost evrything using timers will help and i should get her used to it from the start lol also

[@crystale3065]

Ammara Shah yes definitely!

[@cariiinen]

Great content!

[@bradenkidstv6861]

Love this, thanks! I have a