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From Little Shifts to Big Moves: Guiding Children Through Transitions

Blanca Sanchez, Regina Lulka

Description

Big or small, transitions can be tough. Not just for children, but for the adults supporting them. Whether it’s adjusting to a new routine, starting school, leaving the park, or welcoming a new sibling, change brings big emotions. In this conversation, longtime Montessori educators Regina Lulka and Blanca Sanchez share practical tools and insights to help parents, caregivers, and educators guide children through life’s many shifts with empathy and intention.

We’ll explore:

  • Why transitions can feel so overwhelming for young children
  • How to support emotional regulation during moments of change
  • Practical routines, language, and mindset shift that truly help

Whether you’re navigating the daily ups and downs or preparing for a big life change, this talk offers grounded support and realistic tools you can start using right away. It’s not about doing it perfectly — it’s about showing up with presence, compassion, and a better understanding of what your child really needs.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Positive Language
01:31 Using Assertive and Consistent Communication
02:14 Offering Limited Choices to Children
06:30 Importance of Routines and Predictability
08:51 Handling Big Transitions
16:16 Modeling Calm and Patience
20:07 Q&A Session
25:02 Teaching Respect and Apologies
25:49 Acknowledging Mistakes and Learning from Them
26:45 Managing Transitions in Montessori Preschools
28:59 Helping Children with Strong Attachments
30:54 Addressing Rigidity in Children’s Routines
31:57 Toilet Training Challenges and Solutions
34:34 Preparing Children for Big Changes
36:38 Handling Resistance and Power Struggles
45:49 Dealing with Crying and Emotional Transitions
49:11 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Featuring

Blanca Sanchez

After completing a two-year AMI training program in Mexico, Blanca has taught at the Infant, Toddler, and Casa levels for more than 20 years. Upon immigrating to Canada, she opened Kaban Montessori in 2002. Starting with 5 children, today her school serves 150 children from Infants to Upper Elementary. Known for her expertise in creating beautiful, nurturing environments, Blanca also brings a gift for parent education and for inspiring teachers to do their best work. She believes that thoughtfully prepared homes and classrooms nourish the soul of every child.

Regina-Lulka-550x500

Regina brings decades of experience in Montessori education, beginning as a parent and evolving into a leader, mentor, and respected voice in the field. She has served as president of the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers (CAMT), and chair of the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA). Regina lectures on Montessori pedagogy at both the Casa and Elementary levels and is a sought-after speaker on topics such as diversity and inclusion, moral development, and educator-parent partnerships. Her current focus lies in helping schools and educators deepen their practice through meaningful, intentional observation.

Lucie-Tamasova-SQ2-461x461

Lucie Brixi Tamášová is first and foremost a mother of three children (and two wonderful bonus children). For more than 17 years, she has been searching for kind, practical, and research-based answers to the everyday challenges of parenting and helping make them accessible to families around the world.

She is the founder of international projects including Childhood Potential Club, Montessori Parenting, and the Childhood Potential Conference, through which she connects parents, educators, and leading child development experts from across the globe. Through her work, she promotes a respectful and conscious approach to children while helping parents navigate everyday life with greater calm, understanding, and confidence.

Alongside her international work, Lucie also leads educational projects in Kenya and Guinea through the NGO Centrum Dialog, helping provide access to quality education for children with limited opportunities. She deeply believes that conscious support of children has the power to positively shape the future of society as a whole.

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