Brittany Cantrell is an Epidemiologist at her local health department who oversees a team of beautiful, talented women. Though she specializes in infectious disease prevention, she is a strong advocate for all public health professionals. She is the owner and author of the mindful travel blog, The World Enough, where readers are empowered to live with presence and without fear. She was born and raised in the rolling foothills of the north Georgia mountains. In her spare time, you can find her helplessly pinned to the couch by one of her two cats, heading to a yoga class, or planning her next adventure.
12 Brain-Boosting Activity Songs for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Parent hack alert! Activity songs for toddlers and preschoolers are the swiss army knife of parenting tools. You never want to leave home without them. Activity songs use a special combination of music and movement to address a child’s need for connection, play, novelty, and developing their rapidly growing brain. To create this epic “play” […]
Montessori Reading Activities: A Zero Stress Method To Teach Your Child To Read
The Montessori method is a time-tested approach to teaching early reading. It’s both highly effective and fully supportive of a child’s individual learning style. Current research confirms the key to reading independently is systematic exposure to phonics or letter sounds. Dr. Montessori, founder of the Montessori method, discovered this truth over a hundred years ago! […]
25 Books About Different Families For Young Children and LGBTQIA+ Allies
Young children are little sponges, taking up whatever information we give them. The things we share with them as parents will shape their lives and their beliefs. If we want them to believe in acceptance, tolerance, and compassion for others, we need to share stories that feature the growing diversity of family structures, especially families […]
The Montessori Potty Training Method (AKA Toilet Learning)
If you’re looking for a gradual, child-led approach to potty training that fosters connection between you and your little one, look no further than Montessori potty training. It’s a tried and true approach used successfully by caregivers in Montessori homes and Montessori classrooms around the world. Thousands of children learn to use the potty this […]
Ranking the Best Bluey Episodes: The Episodes Made For Parents That Kids Love
Bluey is an Australian children’s cartoon starring a rambunctious 6-year-old blue heeler puppy named, well, Bluey! Beloved by parents worldwide, Bluey inspires fan art, dedicated social media accounts, and even a podcast. It’s the only kid’s show I love to watch without my kid. Today we’re ranking the 10 best bluey episodes from a superfan mom’s […]
Confidence-Building Montessori Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Using the Montessori method to select toys for my 18-month-old was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a parent. Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method, truly gets young toddlers. Grounded in modern child development practices decades before science actually caught up to it, the Montessori method offers kids a way […]
Curiosity-Sparking Educational Montessori Toys for 3 Year Olds
In the Montessori parenting sphere, there’s so much focus on how to play the Montessori way with your infant or toddler, but what about three years and beyond? During this time, gross motor and fine motor development are exploding; dramatic pretend play is happening almost 24/7; and unique passions or interests emerge. It’s an age […]
What are Montessori Toys? Demystifying Montessori Materials for the Curious Parent
We’ve touched on many Montessori topics here at Undefining Motherhood, but today we’re unraveling one of Montessori’s greatest mysteries. The Montessori toy is both simple and complex, somehow unlocking even the youngest child’s natural desire for intense focus and learning. Yet, there is no official standard or authoritative list of these toys anywhere. What’s the […]