Montessori Moms: Planting the Seeds of Growth

Montessori Moms: Planting the Seeds of Growth With the upcoming Holidays and lots of new toys coming into our homes I thought this might be a good time to repost this from last year. Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Setting up a play area for your preschool age child Creating a play area for your child can be frustrating, but it is easier than you think. Just think of these 3 rules: 1.         Get rid of the toy box 2.         Invest in 1 or 2 sets of shelves 3.         Less is best 1. Get rid of the toy box .  Honestly they scare me.  I never know what I am going to find on the bottom and either will your child.  Keep their toys displayed so they can see them. 2. Invest in shelves.  Don’t feel like you have to get expensive shelving but do keep in mind you want them to be low enough for you child to reach the top shelf easily.   Keep their toys disp

Montessori Moms: Planting the Seeds of Growth: Terrible Twos at Three! : I always heard of the "Terrible Twos" and believed in them until my oldest child turned 3!  I thought the worst was over with the ...

I always heard of the "Terrible Twos" and believed in them until my oldest child turned 3!  I thought the worst was over with the temper tantrums, crying because his granola bar broke in half and much much more but was I wrong.  I learned pretty quick that with 3 brought on a whole new set of behavioral issues and he was able to communicate them to me.  At three he started to negotiate and reason with me about his behavior.  He tried yelling at me, stomping away, slamming doors, throwing toys, oh the list goes on and on.  I realized quickly that his world was changing everyday and he was trying to figure it out.  I was told he was a "perfect" kid at preschool ( I was home that year pregnant with my 2nd child ) but I soon realized it was a Jekyll and Hyde situation.  The moment he got home he lost control. At this point I started to realize that I needed to bring a bit of my knowledge of managing  a classroom of 3 year olds into my home.  I made sure I remained cal

Montessori Moms: Planting the Seeds of Growth: Sensory Play...So Easy And So Important Your todd... : Sensory Play...So Easy And So Important Your toddler and preschool age child is constantly learning new things and exploring the world.  T...

Sensory Play...So Easy And So Important Your toddler and preschool age child is constantly learning new things and exploring the world.  They learn by touching, feeling and interacting with their environment.  They learn about textures, taste, smell  and  natural consequences.  Every experience is new to them.  Keeping them safe during these exploratory times is also very important.  As much as I wanted my child to explore their world I also did not want them to injure themselves.  I started thinking about my training as a Montessori teacher and began looking around my kitchen.  I came up with some creative ways to allow for this exploration while keeping them safe and close by.  I have listed a few activities below to get your started.  Remember, use your imagination.  Try the activities out yourself.  Feel it, smell it etc. so you will know what your child will be experiencing as well.      *Fill a dish basin with oatmeal.  Give your child cups and spoons to use. (this is a grea