New 'Optimal Beginnings' Group!

Baby N, with skwish on his chest,
 ready for him to grab it in a sweeping gesture.

Which would you choose?
krugelring? salto? grasping beads?

Optimal Beginnings is a class for babies and the people who love and support them – a parent, grandparent, nanny, doting auntie or uncle. Infant/adult pairs explore a special environment that is prepared specifically for your baby's developmental stage, under the guidance of Montessori Assistant to Infancy practitioner, Venus Zaron.

• Come learn about your baby’s naturally unfolding developmental timeline
• Experience the value of observing your baby
• Learn to interpret your baby’s spontaneous activity
• Learn about your baby’s authentic self
• Meet other parents and caregivers who share your interest and intentions!

This special community of infants & adults provides an opportunity to learn more about infant development, and the practice of parenting.

Venus with Baby P, 6 mos. old, as she starts to
scoot backwards off the Movement Mat.
(It's a small world:  P's mama was
Venus' daughter's Children's House Guide!)

Facilitator: Venus Zaron is certified by the Association Montessori Internationale at both the birth-to-three and three-to-six year old levels of development and has a master’s degree in education. In addition to Optimal Beginnings, Venus leads other classes and workshops with the intention of supporting parents and caregivers to create home environments and lifestyles that are inclusive of their youngest family members. Venus and her husband have enjoyed and benefited from putting Montessori principles into practice at home with their two children, ages 5½ and 9.

When:        Babes who are not yet crawling

                     Wednesdays, 9 – 10 am
                     Oct. 26, 2011 – Dec. 7, 2011 (6 weeks, no class on Nov. 23)
               
               Crawling babies
                    Wednesdays, 10 – 11 am
                     Oct. 26, 2011 - Dec. 7, 2011 (6 weeks, no class on Nov. 23)

Where:     Sunstone Montessori School, 7740 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97219  
                   

Cost:          $125 per six-week session, plus $10 registration fee

                                      

To register, write to Venus Zaron at familymattersmontessori@gmail.com

Read & see more pictures of past Optimal Beginnings groups 
at Lena's beautiful doula-care site, www.cascadiabirth.com.  
Thanks, Lena, for the gorgeous pictures!

Join us!

The first session of "Toilet-Learning: Training Mind & Body," begins this Friday.  We'll be at Isobel's Clubhouse, from 9 - 10:30 am, talking about how to work towards toilet-training beginning in infancy (yes, that's right, there are key steps you can take with your baby!).  This session is designed for parents of babies and toddlers, from birth to about 18 months-old.

Like a lot of things, starting with good habits is key to success and much better than trying to push the 're-do' button, later on.  Children don't actually have one of those.

Pre-registration is requested, so I can be prepared with the right number of materials and so on.  If you are interested, email me at familymattersmontessori@gmail.com.  Ciao!

Goodbye Old, Hello...New Ventures

As summer begins to wind down and we educators look towards the upcoming academic year, it's time for me to centralize my class and workshop announcements.  Hello, new levels of organization and efficiency.

I am beginning this season with Toilet-Learning: Training Mind and Body, offered for two age groups:  first, info for parents & caregivers of babies from infancy to 18 months, Fridays, Sept. 16 & 30,   9 - 10:30 am, and then a separate workshop for parents/caregivers of children 18 mos. - 2 1/2 years, Fridays, Sept. 23 & Oct. 7, 9 - 10:30 am.  Read all about it!  Catching your baby or toddler's early sensitivity to learning to use the toilet will change your whole family's experience for the better.

Some of my work will be offered in the new Isobel's Clubhouse, in the Pearl.  What a convenient and beautiful location.  I am really excited.

Thank you to Susan for getting me started, today!  And thank you to Kara, for telling me Susan was the gal I needed to be in touch with about blogs!  Kara always knows.