The Earth Tortoise School

1. Your child isn’t “full of energy” at bedtime. That’s adrenaline. Their nervous system is stuck in go-mode because they weren’t given enough chances to downshift during the day. 2. If your kid needs you to lay with them until they fall asleep, it’s not clinginess. It’s their brain saying, “This room doesn’t feel safe yet.” Environment matters more than routines. 3. Late dinners wreck more bedtimes than sugar. Digesting a heavy meal raises core body temperature—and a warm body cannot fall asleep efficiently. 4. If your child wakes up screaming, stop blaming nightmares. Science says it’s often an overtired brain misfiring during deep sleep. Fix the exhaustion, fix the “night terrors.” 5. That after-school meltdown? It’s not attitude. It’s a cortisol crash from holding it together all day. Poor sleep the night before makes it 10x worse. 6. Kids who “sleep anywhere but their bed” aren’t flexible sleepers. Their bedroom is overstimulating or emotionally charged. The car isn’t soothing—their room is stressful. 7. If your child snores—even a little—that’s not cute. It’s a red flag for sleep-disordered breathing. Snoring equals airway resistance. Airway resistance equals brain stress. 8. Early wake-ups aren’t “just how they are.” Most early birds are actually overtired night owls whose body clock is trying to survive chronic sleep debt. 9. Meltdowns during teeth brushing aren’t personality quirks. Sensory overload spikes at night because tired brains lose regulation first. More sleep gives them more bandwidth. 10. If your kid wakes up sad, irritable, or “not themselves,” it’s not morning moodiness. Emotional regulation depends on sleep depth. Shallow sleep = shallow coping skills. This isn’t judgment—it’s clarity. No one teaches parents that most “behavior problems” are actually biology problems. When you work with the body instead of fighting it, everything gets easier. 👉 Type KIDREST for my pediatric sleep masterclass for solutions. 📌 Save this before tonight’s bedtime battle. 👥 Tag the parent who really needs the truth. #pediatricsleep #sleepdoctor #parentingtips #toddlersleep #sleeptraining #kidssleep #bedtimeproblems #parentingadvice

Parenting is often living in many - often opposing - emotions at the same time.

We want to support our children's exploration, learning and growth through trying new things and taking risks. And we want to protect them from harm at all costs.

That often looks like watching our child climb that tall structure on the playground or slice bananas for their snack - outwardly quiet but inside rolling with anxiety, seeing all the ways they might get hurt, and battling the urge to jump in to help or save.

But one of the things child development experts know - and really anyone who takes the time and has the opportunity to deliberately and thoughtfully observe children - is that, for the most part, children are CALCULATED risk takers. They *usually* do not try things they are not ready for. So you may see them begin to climb the playground ladder but stop at the second or third rail. Though it may not look like how we adults do it, their body-brains are assessing and judging, making decisions on what to do next. And it is usually right here, when we see them stall or hesitate that this urge we have been holding back rushes out: "Be Careful!!!"

We want to support them. We want to be helpful. We want to DO SOMETHING! But what actually happens when we blurt out "Be Careful!" is that we disrupt their process of assessing and planning ... and they lose their concentration. And they fall. Or trip. Or cut themselves. And we think we were justified because they got hurt. They were not ready after all.

But instead let's shift our perspective to seeing them as capable and thoughtful and help them develop that planning process. Below are some great ideas for what to say instead of "Be Careful". Try them out and see your child's intelligent intuition shine!

Montessori friends - we're looking for a primary co- lead or wonderful assistant for the fall. Have any leads? Send them my way!

The Earth Tortoise School has a rare opening in our mobile infant classroom beginning May 1st.

If you are looking for loving, high quality Montessori care and education, email us at [email protected]

Or spread the word!

My school is looking for a full or part time assistant for our preschool classroom. Spread the word or msg me if you're interested!

Very sweet- Teaching your child to love themselves is the foundation for a liberating life. When they embrace their uniqueness and worth, they navigate the world with confidence. Self-love empowers them to set healthy boundaries, pursue their passions, and weather challenges. This rule applies to adults too; self-compassion fuels personal growth, enhances relationships, and fosters emotional well-being. Embracing one’s authentic self ignites a journey of liberation, enabling both children and adults to thrive in a world that often demands conformity. #EmbraceYourUniqueness #LoveYourselfFirst #EmpowerWithSelfLove #LiberateYourLife #ConfidenceUnleashed #SelfLoveJourney #BeYourBestYou #AuthenticityMatters #CelebrateYourWorth #ThrivingThroughSelfLove #EmbraceYourJourney #UnleashYourPotential #SelfLoveEmpowerment #OwnYourStory #EmbraceYourFlaws #FreeToBeMe #SelfCareIsEssential #CherishYourself #LoveYouFirst #BeYourOwnHero

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/education/2023/08/07/cps-adopts-montessori-curriculum-what-it-means-for-students/70244489007/

Cincinnati Public Schools adopts new Montessori curriculum Montessori educators and parents of CPS came together over the last three years to develop a new curriculum. It will be implemented in the fall.

What I Learned By Remaining Silent Two freshly-minted three-year-olds were playing on the floor, not together, but near one another. I was lying amidst them, fiddling with ...