Being a Montessori parent is amazing. But, that doesn't mean it isn't hard. We're here to help, because we can all use a little Shelf Help. Listen weekly to our Montessori parenting podcast. 

LET'S BE MONTESSORI PARENTS TOGETHER

There are so many different parenting approaches available today that it can be hard to recognize your own voice and style among the options. If you're parenting with Montessori, you aren't alone. We're here to chat about all the everyday realities of Montessori parenting. Join Nicole and co-host Amy for real life conversations about using Montessori at home. 

SEASON 2

October 2021 - Present

SEASON 1 

March 2020 - September 2021​

• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 1 - Welcome Back!
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 2 - The Journey of Independence
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 3 - Weaning From Breastfeeding
• ​Shelf Help S2 Ep. 4 - Cleaning Up!  
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 5 - Supporting Your Children Through the Holidays​​
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 6 - Development of the Hand
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 7 - A Year End Q&A
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 8 - Must Haves for Montessori Babies and Toddlers
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 9 - Montessori Essentials for Feeding and Weaning
• ​Shelf Help S2 Ep. 10 - Montessori Water Work and Play
• ​Shelf Help S2 Ep. 11 - Acknowledging the Challenges of Parenting
• Shelf Help S2 E12 - Montessori Parenting with Amy and James
• Shelf Help S2 E13 - Some Wisdom from Dr. Montessori
• Shelf Help S2 Ep 14 - A Montessori Child Q&A
• Shelf Help S2 Ep 15 - Having Hard Conversations with Kid
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 16 - Caregiving Routines for Babies
• ​Shelf Help S2 Ep. 17 - Navigating Sibling Relationships
• Shelf Help S2 Ep. 18 - Sibling Relationships from Birth









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•  Shelf Help Ep. 1 - Welcome to the Podcast
• Shelf Help Ep. 2 - Creating Your Montessori Routine
• Shelf Help Ep. 3 - Floor Beds and Art Museums
• Shelf Help Ep. 4 - Social Distancing and Montessori
• Shelf Help Ep. 5 - Toddler Classes, Sports, and Summer Activities
• Shelf Help Ep. 6 - Staying Busy While Staying Home
• Shelf Help Ep. 7 - An Interview with Charlotte and Henry 
• Shelf Help Ep. 8 - From the ABCs to Swearing
• Shelf Help Ep. 9 - Weaning Tables and Starting Solids
• Shelf Help Ep. 10 - Supporting Natural Gross Motor Movement
• Shelf Help Ep. 11 - Children and Pets
• Shelf Help Ep. 12 - Games!
• Shelf Help Ep. 13 - Bedtime Routines
• Shelf Help Ep. 14 - Summer Outdoor Play
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 15 - Black Lives Matter
• Shelf Help Ep. 16 - Losing Your Cool as a Montessori Parent
• Shelf Help Ep. 17 - Montessori Baby Joy!
• Shelf Help Ep. 18 - Getting Organized!
• Shelf Help Ep. 19 - Building Sibling Relationships​
• Shelf Help Ep. 20 - What's Going to Happen in the Fall? 
• Shelf Help Ep. 21 - A Montessori Library
• Shelf Help Ep. 22 - Birthday Celebrations and Gifts​
• ​​Shelf Help Ep. 23 - Handling BIG Emotions
• ​​Shelf Help Ep. 24 - Using a Capsule Wardrobe 
• Shelf Help Ep. 25 - Balancing Montessori Parenting and Work
• Shelf Help Ep. 26 - Transitioning to Toddlerhood
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 27 - Montessori and Open Ended Toys
• Shelf Help Ep. 28 - Being a YES Parent
• Shelf Help Ep. 29 - Preparing Your Baby Registry: Montessori-Style
• Shelf Help Ep. 30 - Your Questions Answered
• Shelf Help Ep. 31 - Our Approaches Toward Santa
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 32 - The Beauty of Montessori Math
• Shelf Help Ep. 33 - Why We Don't Make Our Children Share
• Shelf Help Ep. 34 - Christmas Traditions...Montessori Style!
• Shelf Help Ep. 35 - An Introduction to Montessori Potty Learning
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 36 - Our Birth Stories
• Shelf Help Ep. 37 - Being a Parenting Team (with Morgan Kavanaugh)
• Shelf Help Ep. 38 - The Baby is Here! Let's Q&A.​ 
• Shelf Help Ep. 39 - Q&A Part 2
• ​​Shelf Help Ep. 40 - The Fourth Trimester 
• Shelf Help Ep. 41 - Montessori and Breastfeeding
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 42 - Choosing a Montessori School
• Shelf Help Ep. 43 - A Little Shelf (Rotation) Help!
• Shelf Help Ep. 44 - Food Struggles and Success
• Shelf Help Ep. 45 - When Grandparents and Friends Aren't Into Montessori
• Shelf Help Ep. 46 - How We Approach Screen Time
• Shelf Help Ep. 47 - Montessori Baby Mobiles!
• Shelf Help Ep. 48 - Screen Time Q&A
• Shelf Help Ep. 49 - Montessori Bedrooms!
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 50 - Montessori and RIE®️ for Infants and Young Toddlers
• Shelf Help Ep. 51 - Is Montessori For Every Child? and other Listener Questions​​
• Shelf Help Ep. 52 - Montessori Terms You Should Know
• Shelf Help Ep. 53 - An Intro to Grace and Courtesy
• Shelf Help Ep. 54 - Safety in the Montessori Home
• Shelf Help Ep. 55 - Montessori Parenting Highlights
• Shelf Help Ep. 56 - Our Favorite Chapter Books for Kids
• Shelf Help Ep. 57 - Stools are the Unsung Hero of Montessori Homes
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 58 - Transitional Positions
• ​Shelf Help Ep. 59 - Puzzles 

LISTEN HERE

Shelf Help is available on The Kavanaugh Report and on your favorite podcast apps. 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"Nicole and Amy are so easy to listen to and less fussy and pretentious than some other Montessori podcasters." 

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"The joy for Montessori parenting is palpable. You're sure to come away not just with some practical info about Montessori parenting but also a smile." 

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"This podcast is great for anyone interested in Montessori, simple parenting, creating a routine, or just getting some good ideas for your family. I highly recommend it!" 

MEET THE HOST

Hi! I'm Nicole Kavanaugh, Montessori mom to 4. You can find me on The Kavanaugh Report, on Instagram, and on Shelf Help! ​

Over the last 8 years, Montessori has been the backbone of my family life. We have used Montessori principles to guide our home and our parenting. I love talking with and helping parents use Montessori in practical ways to bring the joy into their lives through the resources on this site and through Montessori courses. ​

MEET THE CO-HOST

​Hello! I’m Amy Dorsch, Montessori guide and mom of 2. You can find me on Midwest Montessori, on Instagram, and on Shelf Help!

Becoming a parent transformed my life, in large part by leading me to Montessori. As my children have grown, I’ve only gone deeper into the philosophy, with its principles guiding my everyday parenting, working with children in Montessori classrooms, and working with parents to bring these same principles into their homes. ​