That time is rapidly approaching, when we trade sunscreen for school supplies. Getting a head start and making this transition gradual can help get your kids off to a peaceful start.

I do not take school gear lightly, as a toddler teacher, I saw my fair share of water bottles, lunch boxes, back packs, and other school gear, and as a mom I did my research. Here are my favorites complete with links.

Sometimes your kids need to move in a big way. Young children need movement not just to burn energy, but to build coordination, confidence, and focus. These big body (gross motor) activities support physical development, coordination, and self-regulation — even when space is limited. I’ve also tried to make these options as low-effort for adults as possible, at least after setup.

It's incredible what young children can do when given the right opportunities. A big reason they could accomplish so much was the way their classroom was intentionally set up with the students’ needs and abilities in mind. The exciting part is that you can bring this same approach to your home, and the positive impact it has on children's independence and development is remarkable.

Spring is the perfect time to connect children with the natural world, and what better way than through gardening? For the Montessori child, gardening is about more than planting seeds; it's about nurturing curiosity, instilling respect for living things, and learning to care for the world around them. Let’s look at some ways we can start nurturing those little green thumbs!

Photo by Holly Landkammer on Unsplash

Small Projects That Lead to Big Results