They don’t come with a handbook.
Children’s behavior can be challenging and bewildering. Let’s demystify it.
Circle of Security classes now open for enrollment!
My name is Katie Dunkirk, and I’ve been working with children and their parents for over a decade, in and out of school settings. I approach my work with children and the adults who love them from a background in Montessori and Attachment Theory. I can help you answer the burning question: “Why does my child do that?”
Then we can work on practical ways to handle it. Together.
Parents,
Understand your child. Understand yourself.
If you’ve ever been confused by your child’s overreaction to a normal situation…
Or if you’ve ever been confused by your own overreaction to your child’s behavior…
Let me help. I have over a decade of experience in the classroom with children, so I’ve seen the confusing behavior. But in addition to my Montessori training and years working with children and their families, I’ve spent the last few years diving deeply into learning about Attachment Theory, and the way strengthening Parent-Child relationships can fundamentally change children’s moods and behavior.
Let me share my knowledge and experience to help you better understand your child - so you’ll both be happier and more comfortable together, even in the toughest moments.
Ashley C. - teacher - mom
“I am a parent of a young child (4 year old boy) and I took the Circle of Security Training with Katie. I loved every minute of it! My relationship with my own child is forever improved because of the things I learned in my eight sessions with Katie.
As a facilitator, Katie is incredibly clear, empathetic, nonjudgmental and supportive. She has a lot of knowledge! I hope that all parents, teachers and anyone who works with young children will gift themselves with the knowledge of Circle of Security through Katie's clear insight.”
Montessori Teachers,
Preparation of the Self just got easier.
Every teacher knows the impact of children’s emotional reactions on the peace of the classroom. What we may not fully realize is how much our own emotions impact the children we work with.
The ability to notice and control our own emotional reactions may be the single most important factor in maintaining a peaceful classroom environment.
The Montessori Primary Training was one of the best courses I’ve ever taken, and I say that as someone who has always loved school. But I don’t think I’m the only teacher for whom the training was merely the start of the learning process - which continued every day in the classroom, with the children.
Over the last year, I’ve taken a series of classes to learn to teach adults about Attachment Theory and coach them through emotional and nervous system regulation. I’m excited to have the opportunity to share what I’ve learned with other members of the Montessori community, so we can bring our best selves to the classroom, work as a team, and help the children we work with feel safe enough to learn.