A helpful guide for parents overwhelmed by toddlerhood.

When I became a mom, I had no idea just how much energy a tiny human could hold. My son, now a spirited, curious, endlessly active 2.5-year-old, has been on the move since the moment he figured out how to crawl. He’s joyful, funny, determined… and like many toddlers, he struggles with focus, transitions, and managing his big feelings.

Around the same time he was born, I also stepped into my work in Montessori administration. The timing couldn’t have been more aligned. The more I learned about Montessori philosophy—its respect for the child, its emphasis on independence, and its deep trust in the natural rhythm of development—the more I saw my own child reflected in it. Montessori helped me understand him, and he helped me appreciate Montessori on a whole new level.

And honestly? It helped me feel less overwhelmed.

Toddlers are beautiful, busy little beings. But parenthood, especially the first time around, can feel like a lot. What transformed our home life more than anything else were Montessori-inspired routines. Not rigid schedules, but gentle rhythms that create just enough structure for both of us to breathe easier.

One of the most common questions families ask is, “How can we use Montessori at home without buying all the materials?” The truth is that you don’t need a fully equipped classroom or expensive wooden trays to bring Montessori principles into your home. Montessori is far more about the environment you create and the trust you place in your child’s growing abilities than it is about specific materials.

A great place to start is by making your home more child-friendly. Children thrive when they can access what they need without relying on adults, so a few simple changes go a long way. Lower a couple of shelves and display just a handful of toys or activities, rotating them every few weeks. Keep everyday items within reach—cups, plates, utensils, and a small step stool in the kitchen and bathroom can make your child feel capable and included. These small adjustments help build responsibility and self-help skills.

Practical Life activities are another powerful way to bring Montessori into daily routines, and they don’t require special supplies. You can offer simple tasks such as:

• Pouring water from a small pitcher

• Transferring dry beans with a spoon

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Dear Parent,

As part of our licensing requirements, we are to monitor and educate the children and families in our care about nutrition and healthy foods. Well-balanced meals provide the nourishment children need to grow, think, fight infection, and fuel their bodies. We’d like to provide a brief handout as a reminder regarding our school nutritional guidelines and some ideas for healthy lunches.

Please follow the following Plate Model when packing your child’s lunch for school. It is important to include at least one source of protein and one source of vegetables in each lunch. Please attempt to prepare fresh meals to the best of your ability and refrain from using highly processed/pre-packaged foods.

Please do not pack products with excessive added sugars such as candy, cookies/donuts with sugar coating, juices/sodas or other products with high added sugar content.

RECIPES/IDEAS: (PLEASE REMEMBER TO REPLACE ANY NUT PRODUCTS WITH SUNFLOWER SEED BUTTER OR ANOTHER NON-NUT SUBSTITUTE)

Lunches/breakfasts/snacks:

Toddler Lunch Ideas

Infants

Creating a Montessori environment doesn’t have to wait until your children are older. This is a great time to begin this transition. You can slowly adapt as your baby grows. Create an environment that allows them to explore freely as they begin to become mobile.

• Cover electrical outlets and remove objects that can hurt your baby.
• Use baby gates to delineate their play spaces and keep them safe.
• Make their bedroom child-friendly by placing a mattress on the floor and age-appropriate toys within reach. This encourages them to move from sleeping to playing without your assistance once they're able to crawl and eventually walk.
• Once your baby can sit, try using a small table and chairs for mealtimes, snack time and activity time, rather than using a highchair.

Tasks for Two- and Three-Year Olds

Yes, even toddlers and young preschoolers can delight in doing many activities around the house. Letting your children participate in the daily management of the household will help them feel confident and proud.

Some examples are listed below:

• Load spoons into dishwasher, dust furniture, help feed animals.
• Put away silverware, put away toys after play, fold dish towels.
• Dig and pull away weeds, dry small dishes, stir orange juice.
• Load washer, unload dryer, spray and wipe mirrors, sweep(small broom)
• Assist with stirring in cooking, bring in newspaper, wipe table.
• Pour milk (small pitcher), set table, mop small area.
• Tidy magazines, sofa pillows, entertain infant –bring diapers, etc.
• Brush teeth, wash face, dress, and undress