Paulene Richardson

The key to enjoyable outside play, whatever the weather.

Nature is a great teacher

Wet weather fun!

I'd like to make the case for the joy to be had outdoors in the rain.

Playing in the rain is fun on wet days, on wet and windy days and even wet and cold days. Children love it!

The key to enjoyable outside play is good, comfortable weather-proof clothing.

Such clothing is easily available online.

For smaller children a pair of overalls and a jacket probably gives you the most flexibility with combinations, plus of course, a pair of comfortable gum boots.

Older kids usually like separate pants, and jacket plus boots.

Having spent some time working in Scandinavia I observed first hand the fun to be had outdoors in all weathers and saw the sense in the saying “ There's no bad weather only bad clothing”.

Comfortably kitted out children love to be outdoors, running, jumping, dancing, splashing in the puddles, watching rain fill small and large containers, seeing raindrops dripping off leaves and roof lines, trying to catch one little raindrop drop in their mouths....

Look after yourself as well, if you too are comfortably dressed a trip to the playground or the park will be great fun, and a source of great delight for you and your child. Perhaps you may even like to take a warm drink with you, a flask of warm chocolate – so special and such fun.

If you live somewhere where it's wet and the temperature is warm enough, go one step further, strip off your little one's clothing and let them run naked in the rain, what joy, what delight!

If that's a step too far, start with bare feet.

Seminar - Montessori at home: a practical introduction

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Montessori at home: a practical introduction

Preston Library Meeting Room

266 Gower St Preston 3072

7.30 start - 9 pm

Wednesday 13th June 2018

$22 pp

Paulene Richardson presents a seminar for parents and carers of children under 6, with particular emphasis on children aged 2-6.

This seminar will introduce you to the Montessori approach and show you how you can use Montessori principles at home.

Come along to the seminar if:

  • you would like to create a home environment that encourages independence, concentration and creativity

  • you would like family life to be more ordered and calm but don't know where to begin

  • your child has so many toys but finds it difficult to entertain themselves

  • you would like to be doing different activities with your child but aren't sure what to do

The seminar is suitable for those who don't know anything about Montessori and also for anyone familiar with it who would like more information and advice.

We will discuss:

  • What is Montessori and what are its benefits

  • The key elements that make up the Montessori approach

  • How you can make simple changes to your home that will make a big difference

  • Ideas for using Montessori in daily routines

  • Simple activities you can create for your child to encourage independence, concentration and creativity

There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion during the seminar.

Places are  limited due to venue size so register early to avoid disappointment.

Seminar details again:

  • Wednesday 13th June

  • 7.30 pm start - 9.00 pm

  • Preston Library Meeting room

  • 266 Gower street Preston

  • Parking is available at the back of the library and public transport on High street and Plenty road

  • $22 pp

A beginners guide to a gentle, more holistic approach to child rearing

The choices we make for our young children lay the foundation for all that is to follow.
Such choices deserve our deepest consideration.

Like any good foundation the foundation on which you base your parenting should be strong and supported by good, credible information.

Guiding principles, agreed by both parents which underpin daily decisions, provide security through consistency.

There is a maze of parenting information to be navigated and lots of people offer any number of quick fixes.

Instead of quick fixes I advocate a thoughtful, practical approach to parenting inspired by the philosophy of Maria Montessori. 

Montessori parenting seeks to take a gentle, respectful, holistic approach based on understanding the developmental needs of the child.

As well as a unifying theory having a Montessori-inspired approach is wonderfully practical, it builds resilience and when the principles are followed, results in greater harmony for parents and children alike.

Understanding your child's ever-changing needs and creating a home which supports parents and children alike is a constant work-in-progress. 

A set of guiding principles act as a compass to guide you on your journey.