Avoid a boring meeting, instead invite an informative guest speaker

Need a guest speaker for your group?

Choose a topic from those below or create one from the parenting articles and contact Paulene Richardson for availability.

or

Perhaps you have a group of friends interested in a tailor-made seminar delivered in a venue of your choosing?

 

Below are just four suggestions for topics which have been very popular, many others are possible.

Here are the four for you to consider:

1. A Montessori Approach to Parenting- what is it? What are the advantages? How would I start?

2. De-cluttering, why it's important and the practical steps to stop drowning in toys and feel the benefits of a calmer, more peaceful home.

3. Developing effective Communication skills - stop pleading and nagging and get your kids to listen.

4. Resilience, what is it, why is it important and how to build it. (with or without an emphasis on school readiness)

On the Parenting Blog page  you'll find lots of other ideas for topics  which may appeal to you or your group/committee/club.

Feedback

Kristy: Lots of practical tips in the Montessori at home seminar. Paulene is knowledgeable, humorous, and a clear communicator. I would highly recommend this seminar.

Audrey:"Thank you for an eye opening and enlightening session at the Vermont South library. I found it very useful as well as reassuring of my parenting skills. 

It has given me confidence of my approach towards parenting and disciplining my four year old son. I look forward to the next time you speak at the Vermont South library."  

Emily: "I attended Paulene’s seminar and found it interesting, informative and very relevant for my young family.

She was generous with her time by answering questions from her audience. I found her to be approachable and friendly. I came away feeling motivated to make changes in my home.

I follow her Facebook page and find the articles and tips helpful." 

(Little) Kids in the Kitchen

 Kids love working in the kitchen and for that to be successful it's important to prepare ahead. 

Here are four basic steps to lay the foundation for success.

1. A learning tower in the kitchen to provide safe access to kitchen benches for easy involvement in the preparation of food.
2. A step to allow access to the hand-basin. A hand-towel at the right height.
3. Child safe kitchen utensils (lots available on the net) and a child sized chopping board, plus a clear designated place to work.
4. A child sized table and chair or a Tripp Trapp chair (google it, they're fantastic) so the child can comfortably use the dining table.

Now you are ready to get started, be sure you choose tasks which are suitable for the developmental level of your child.

Enjoy your time together passing on your skills.

Parents are you drowning in kids toys? Have a huge clear-out and feel the calm descend

Many parents of young children express frustration that their house is filled with toys yet the toys don't seem to satisfy their child for more than a moment.

There are many reasons for this:

• the activities are designed for an older child and are too difficult or they are too easy and provide no challenge at all.

• Parts are missing or many different toys are jumbled up together

• The tools/materials required are not on hand or they are not effective

So how can you make better use of the toys you have so your child will be able to select an activity and work with it on their own?

Yes, this is possible!

1. Sort through the toys you have, discard any which are incomplete or if the pieces are lovely use them to create an entirely new activity.

2. Decide which activities are right for your child's stage of development and interests. Remove those which are too easy or too hard

3. Shelving: safe, child-height - shelving is vital.

4. A designated work space (perhaps defined by an attractive mat) which contains a child-sized table and chairs.

5. Trays / containers/ baskets which contain all the pieces of an activity.

6. Trays / containers which are practical for containing materials which may be used in different activities e.g. scissors, paper, pencils,crayons, glue etc.

7. Arrange the activities attractively on the shelves, categorising them where possible.

8. You don't need to put all toys (or books )out at once, rotate some from regularly.

If these changes sound like exactly what's needed at your place, but you feel overwhelmed and aren’t sure where to start don't worry because help is available.

Contact me for a free 30 minute Discovery call where together we will unpack what hurdles you are facing and how I can help you.

Montessori Parenting- raising calm contented kids

My unique online course with its 5 coaching calls has everything you need to make your Montessori aspirations a reality.

The transformation will make a huge, positive difference to you all.