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!