A Parent Workshop with Amy Kirkham

We were delighted to welcome our Children’s House families to a special parent workshop, Freedom Within Limits at Home, with internationally recognised Montessori trainer Amy Kirkham.

Amy is one of the most respected voices in Montessori education, with a deep understanding of the 3–6-year-old child. Since beginning her work in early childhood in 1988, she has worked as a teacher, play therapist, Montessori directress, lecturer, consultant and trainer. She has also trained a number of our own BMS staff over the years, making it particularly special to welcome her back to our community.

One of the ideas we return to again and again in Montessori is ‘freedom within limits’ - giving children the independence they are ready for, while providing the clear boundaries and guidance they still need.During the session, Amy explored what this looks like in everyday family life, from getting dressed and brushing teeth to those familiar negotiations about what is appropriate to wear to school. These seemingly small moments can become wonderful opportunities for children to practise independence.

Amy shared practical ways to offer genuine choices, set respectful limits and navigate those sometimes tricky moments with greater confidence and calm. Because supporting independence isn’t about stepping back completely, it’s about knowing when to offer a choice, when to hold a boundary, and when to give your child the time and space to ‘help me to do it myself.’

A huge thank you to Amy for sharing her time, knowledge and experience with our families. It was a wonderful opportunity for our parents to learn directly from someone with such deep expertise in this important stage of development, and to take away practical, everyday ways to support children’s growing independence at home.

💛 Sydney Montessori Training Centre