Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Moudry.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I didn’t think much about the type of parent I wanted to be until my husband and I were pregnant with our first child. Having a M.Ed. and certifications in prenatal to three and three to six Montessori education, I knew how children developed, and I knew that our home environment would be important in our children’s lives. However, once our first child joined us, I realized how heavily I was relying on my Montessori training to guide my parenting choices. I had learned to observe my child and then respond accordingly. As a new mom, I didn’t always know what exactly to do at each moment, but I had confidence and trust in my child’s development. My training had taught me to stay calm and always respond in patience and love.
My experiences as a new parent clarified that I needed to be a resource to other parents. I started writing parenting books, a blog, and producing videos for parents who wanted to know more about their child’s development, how to adapt and respond to the ever changing needs of a growing child, and how to create a home that best supports their child’s development. I expanded my reach by teaching parent-and-child Montessori classes, giving parenting lectures, and educating teachers about the importance of parent communication.
I started teaching here in Houston in 2010. Each class offered an amazing opportunity to reach Houston parents and support their journey. I have heard from them over the years of what support they need, what questions they have, their fears, and their moments of triumph and awe. Teaching a couple classes a week did not seem to be reaching enough families and so I wanted to create a way for more families to have access to Montessori education and get their parenting questions answered.
In August of 2015 I opened Studio June, a parent and child Montessori Education center—the first of its kind in Texas. We opened with one studio and a steady flow of new families joining us. In January of 2016, we moved to a location with two studios, allowing us to add baking classes and movement and sensorial exploration classes. With the growing number of families in Houston, we knew would need to do more if we were going to be a resource for as many families as possible.
Today, Studio June offers four active learning studios with classes for children from eight weeks old to six years old, private parent coaching, in-home design and consultation services, and our own line of materials and tools to help bring Montessori home. Studio June is a hub of parent learning and child development. Parents attend weekly classes with their children. The children discover, explore, and play while their parents learn to observe, when to engage, and how to maximize learning potential.
Studio June has been a way for me to connect with stay-at-home moms, work-from-home moms, and moms who are returning to work and look to us to help with the adjustment. I have grown our reach to serve grandparents, dads who want an opportunity to reconnect with their child after a long day of work, and nannies learning to allow a child’s independence to develop in a natural way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In terms of seeing the possibility and connecting with families, I would say it has been a smooth road. Parents only have to see the beauty of Studio June and the amazing possibilities in their child in our Studios and they want to be a part of the community. Parents see their child develop before their eyes. They see their baby grasp and crawl for the first time. We see first steps and setting the table. Parents witness their child sit with their friends and enjoy a meal. The space I have designed makes this an easy journey for both parents and children.
My greatest struggle in this journey has been my work/home life balance. I have a strong passion for the work I do and the families with whom I work. When they struggle, I struggle. I feel their exhaustion, their frustrations, and their joys. All of this can be a drain emotionally. In order for me to be a strong parenting coach I must model a work/life balance where I make a conscious effort to balance the work of Studio June with my own family. I have my own three wonderful children and a husband who need the best of me too. Like all parents and spouses, I want things to be just right at home.
As I strive for balance, I struggle to have enough time. I am committed to making sure things are optimal for my clients. Often that means adjusting furniture designs, curating new activities for children, or putting in more time on a consultation to ensure things are just right. My background as a designer paired with my passion for education guide me to create our beautiful environments for children. Young children learn best in spaces designed just for them. Each of our studios is designed for their engagement and success.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio June – what should we know?
Studio June is a parent and child Montessori education center. We recognize that Montessori principles are valuable to families whether they are seeking a Montessori school for their child or not. Montessori philosophy can guide a parent’s natural desire to support their child in a way that is most beneficial to their child’s development. Parents want the best for their children and we offer a framework for parents to know where they are on the timeline and what are appropriate experiences, challenges, and expectations for their child for that particular time. By offering authentic Montessori philosophy and principles in a parent-and-child setting, we create opportunity for parents to learn parenting skills and child development information and for their children to experience a prepared environment, a cornerstone of Montessori education.
Each of our studios is a prepared environment. In a Montessori prepared environment, children experience deep concentration, engaging language and early literacy activities, fine-motor skill building, open-ended problem solving, and meaningful social interactions. Parents witness all of these abilities in their child and are able to better prepare for each next step of development. Our trained instructors offer one-to-one lessons, group lessons, and parent coaching to help parents maximize their child’s experience and understand their development. We support parents through difficult transitions such as developing routines and schedules, adding siblings, and toilet learning to name a few. Our instructors are well trained and experienced in supporting both parents and their children.
Studio June has four studios, each prepared for a particular age group and developmental stage. Our infant studio is designed for pre-crawlers and encourages freedom of movement, eye-hand coordination, and social interaction. Our Movement and Exploration studio creates opportunities for gross-motor as well as fine-motor development. The environment is designed to challenge early crawlers through walkers to climb, explore, build, and learn to take turns.
Our Young Child studio is designed to inspire independence and self-regulation. Children learn to play both independently and in groups. Challenges include eye-hand coordination as well as language, early math skills, and problem solving. We also offer our early baking classes in this studio. These classes are designed to encourage the development of patience and the skill of taking turns. Introducing children to baking allows them to see the ingredients that go into their food, making them more open to trying new foods.
The Primary Experience studio is designed for children from 2 ½ years to six years. This class engages the children in more complex activities, inspiring deeper thinking and longer periods of concentration. Children continue to learn individually and in groups, helping them to develop skills to move into a school program. This studio is also used for afternoon Pastry School where budding chefs learn techniques and recipes from a trained pastry chef.
It has been wonderful to see the natural progression for families through our series of classes. I have been able to develop a curriculum that not only supports their child’s development, but their development as parents. I am most proud of the strong and connected community we have been able to build. Parents connect in class and then continue to build relationships outside of the studio. Our growing community is built on the foundation in a trust of child development. We need to offer challenge, good example, and opportunity for our children to fully engage and develop. This is a guiding principal that can set the tone for a parent’s journey as they support their children all the way to adulthood.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have been fortunate to have the support of many people in my community. So many parents who I have met over the years have been an inspiration and support as I have started Studio June. Parents who have benefitted from my classes have encouraged me to grow and reach more families. I have connected with many talented moms that have offered their support by sharing their skills. Former class participants have helped me with marketing, architectural design, and legal filings. Studio June truly is a product of its community and the efforts of families who are a part of it.
Montessori teachers as well as school administrators from around the world have also supported my efforts to engage with more families. I have been asked to give presentations on my outreach with parents all over the US, in China, and this past summer in Australia. This fall I will travel to Toronto to share my story and passion for working with parents. The greater Montessori community has been a constant support and I continue to get messages of encouragement from those reading my blog, newsletter, and attending my presentations.
Houston’s Montessori community has helped to create a support network here at home. I often hear from new families who have been referred to us from a Montessori teacher or school in the area. It brings great comfort to know that my work is valued by our local Montessori schools. Teachers understand the value of our classes and encourage their families to learn more about Montessori at our studio.
My family is a source of great support. My husband and three children have all had a part in building Studio June, from editing flyers to painting a wall to. I cannot serve other families without the support of my own.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5217 Bellaire Blvd.
Bellaire, TX 77401 - Website: www.thestudiojune.com
- Phone: 903-600-5863
- Email: info@thestudiojune.com
- Instagram: thestudiojune
- Facebook: thestudiojune
- Twitter: thestudiojune
Image Credit:
Jessica Matos Photography
jessicamatosphoto.com
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