I have wanted to have a print-friendly version button in my blog, and I am so happy to have found an easy way to do so from this cool website called http://www.printfriendly.com/. However, I wanted my button to be on the top right hand corner of each of my posts. Thus, I have made a slight variation to the instructions provided below for those who prefer to have their print button on the top right hand corner of each of their blog posts instead. The original instructions are here.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Montessori Activity: Sorting Colours/Farversortering/颜色分类 [yán sè fēn lèi]
Age: From 2 years old
Activity Duration: 10-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To teach colours
Materials:
1. 1 big bowl of 4 sets of 4 different colour wooden or plastic blocks (green, yellow, red and blue)
2. 4 small rice bowls of same colour *
3. 1 tray
* It is important that the colour of the 4 small bowls are the same, so as not to confuse the child that it is number sorting and not colour sorting.
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by sorting one set of the 4 colours into each of the small bowls.
2. As you go along, recite the name of the colour.
3. Encourage your child to try to sort the other sets of the colours into the correct bowl allocated for that particular colour.
4. Pour back all the blocks into the big bowl and repeat the game.
Additional Information:
J (24M9D) tried this for the first time today. Our aim is to teach him to group each of the colour blocks together. But to our great surprise, he not only sorted the colour, but he also tried to stack them successfully, but sometimes unsuccessfully because of the round bowls. I should try to get him some flat-bottomed bowls next time. Furthermore, we discovered that he knew that the triangle shape should be on top, in order to stack more layers below. Everyday, he is giving us new surprises. It has been very fun setting up all these activities for him. J poured the blocks back into the big bowl, and then started to sort them again, more and more without us giving him the lead by putting in the first colour block. He looked at us, to get our approval, before putting the first block into each bowl.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Montessori Activity: Sorting Numbers/Nummersortering/数字分类 [shù zì fēn lèi ]
Age: From 2 years old
Activity Duration: 10-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To train number recognition
Materials:
1. 1 big bowl of 4 sets of numbers 1-4 number magnets
2. 4 small rice bowls of same colour *
3. 1 tray
* It is important that the colour of the 4 small bowls are the same, so as not to confuse the child that it is number sorting and not colour sorting.
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by sorting one set of the number 1-4 into each of the small bowls first.
2. As you go along, recite the name of the number.
3. Encourage your child to try to sort the other 3 sets of the number 1-4 by putting each of numbersinto the correct bowl allocated for that particular number.
4. Pour back all the numbers into the bid bowl and repeat.
Additional Information:
J (24M7D) tried it today. At first, I made the mistakes of using colourful bowls and he got confused. But I changed it to all white rice bowls and he got it right immediately. He really enjoyed it and wanted to play more, but we have to leave for music class. J now recognizes the shape of each number from 1-4, can count from 1-3 rather well and starting to count the 4th item.
Keep it simple and don't overwhelm the child. Try 1-3 for younger toddler or 1-5 for older toddler.
This is a fantastic book providing hands-on guide on Montessori activities that is practical, simple and easy to follow. The book also provides lots of ideas on using simple equipment that you can find at home. I found this idea in this book:
You can also buy the number magnets from Amazon:
6 November 2019 (3Y5M20D): C tried this for the first time today. She could sort them very well. It was also a very good opportunity to teach number recognition. Although she could sort them, I don't think she could recognize the numbers yet.
Montessori Activity: Scooping & Pouring Beans/Hælde Bønner/舀豆豆, 倒豆豆[yǎo dòu dòu, dào dòu dòu]
Age: From 2 years old
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills.
2. To teach listening to the sound of pouring beans.
Materials:
1. 1 medium bowl
2. 1 jug
3. 1 deep spoon
4. 1 tray (optional)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your toddler by scooping the beans from the bowl to the jug.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
3. Demonstrate to your child by pouring the beans from the jug back to the bowl.
4. Encourage and let your child try it.
Additional Information:
J (2Y0M7D) wanted to do more Montessori activity today. During Room Time, he found this exercise I have prepared and put aside and couldn't wait to start. As a result, I didn't manage to do Room Time this morning. I tried to combine Room Time with this activity and the results was spilled beans all over when I returned, because he tried to pour beans from the bowl into the jug, instead of scooping them!!! Also, Joshua stepped out of the room and asked for more black beans twice. He wasn't happy with the amount of beans he had in the bowl. I poured some more black beans from my jar of supply for him twice, and put my feet down for the third time.
In the picture on the top right, J was pointing to his ears, asking me to listen to the sound of pouring beans. This is actually another Montessori game called the silence game. I have not started this game with him yet, but it seems that he is teaching me this game without knowing :-)
Montessori Activity: Funneling Water/Kanalisere Vand/倒漏斗[dào lòu dǒu]
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s): To train the child’s fine motor skills
Materials:
1. 1 small jug
2. 1 funnel
3. 1 bottle
4. Water (half filled in one of the jug)
5. 1 small towel (to wipe dry the tray)
6. 1 tray or stand (optional)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your toddler by pouring the water from the jug through the funnel into the bottle slowly and repeat.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
3. Then demonstrate to your child by wiping the tray dry using the towel.
4. Encourage your child to try wiping.
Benefit(s): A very good way to train your child’s fine motor skills.
Total Cost: 30 DKK for funnels from Søstrene Grene (7 SGD)
Additional Information:
J (24M6D) enjoying pouring water through a funnel this morning during potty time. He spilled out some water, while practising to aim for the aim with the mouth of the bottle. For neat freak like us, it is good to do this activity in the bathroom :-)
References:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41750116@N03/4150354899/
 |
| 18.9.2011 (2Y6M14D) |
Friday, 11 March 2011
J Summary (24M6D) - Finally Self-Feeding!!!
Self-feeding
Daddy was sick on 9 March, and could not join us for dinner. So it was just J and I having dinner together, and I had a chance to just focus on him (normally during dinner time, our house rule is we focus on each other, and J simply joins in).
This evening, I was very determined to encourage J to self-feed. I have already prepared the bowl of takeaway pasta from the supermarket (i was too busy with planning for Montessori program this week, that I hardly cooked) and a toddler fork on the side. J (24M4D) started wanting to hold my left hand, while waiting for my right hand to feed him. Suddenly, an idea came to me. I said, " J, feed mommy" and hand him the fork. To my great surprise, he was happily feeding me his pasta with the fork and very neatly - no mess. Then he got hungry and he started feeding himself!!!
I had not tried giving him fork, and thus, the fact that he can use it, seems to indicate to me that children will be ready, when they are ready, don't need to spend too much energy to teach and train earlier than when they are ready.
The next strategy I took was to only put 5 pieces of pasta on his bowl and re-fill it each time he finished. I re-fill with 3 pieces at a time, and counted one, two, three in Mandarin as we go along.
This lasted through the whole dinner, and until the last pasta was left. The next day dinner, I served the same pasta again, and again this whole self-feeding repeats itself. On the next day, J asked me for pasta and for the fork himself. Hurray! To my delight, he mastered his counting one, two, three in Mandarin at the end of dinner. Two big achievements today, again shortly after he turned two years old.
J went on to continue self-feeding each evening and it has been 3 consecutive day now. I hope to maintain it.
Language Development
While playing the Montessori beans pouring game (10.3.2011), I discovered the Mandarin words that J (24M5D) now knows, " hai you, mei you le, hai yao, etc." meaning there are more, there are no more already, all empty, I still want to play. While counting the spilled beans, J counted them by himself, "yi, er, san, si" meaning one, two, three, four beans. But he stopped there. Thus, it gave me clue that my next Mandarin lesson will concentrate on the number 4 and 5 :-)
Montessori Activity: Pouring Water Into Small Jugs/Hælde Vand/倒水 [dào shuǐ]
Age: From 1.5 years old
Activity Duration: 5-10 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s): To train the child’s hand-eye coordination skill
Materials:
1. 2 mini jugs (preferably identical)
2. Water (half filled in one of the jug)
3. 1 small towel (to wipe dry the tray)
4. 1 tray (optional)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your toddler by pouring the water from one jug into the other slowly and repeat.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
3. Then demonstrate to your child by wiping the tray dry using the towel.
4. Encourage your child to try wiping.
Video Demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enlFg35MKLU&feature=related
Total Cost: 40 DKK for 2 jugs (9.50 SGD)
Additional Information:
The difference between pouring at 1.5 years old and pouring at 2 years old is the size of the jug. Use smaller jugs for the younger kids. I bought the jugs from HW Hjørnet in Lyngby.
Re-use Takeaway Containers for Toys
Instead of spending money to buy plastic containers to store away the toys, I use the transparent plastic takeaway containers to store some of J's toys. In the above, I use it to store the letters fridge magnets.
These containers are also very useful when implementing Montessori activities on Practical Life theme.
Montessori Activity: Transferring with Dropper/Overførsel med Pipette/使用滴管[shǐ yòng dī guǎn]
Age: From 2 years old
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To teach colour
Materials:
1. 1 dropper
2. 2 bowls (preferably identical)
3. Water in one bowl (preferably coloured)
5. 1 basin (optional)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your toddler by using the dropper to transfer the water from one bowl to another slowly and repeat.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
3. Then demonstrate to your child by wiping the tray dry using the towel.
4. Encourage your child to try wiping.
Tips:
1. Talk about the colour as you teach.
2. Vary the colour the next time you carry out this activity.
3. When your child is older, and use two bowls with 2 base colours and use the dropper to mix the colour into a third bowl.
Cost:
Total Cost: 42 DKK (9.90 SGD)
Dropper: 20 DKK (4.75 SGD) from the pharmacy in Lyngby
Basin: 22 DKK
Additional Information:
We let J (24M6D) try this activity this evening. Basically it was a hit and run. If he got it right, it was by coincidence, but he enjoyed the game very much, and was very motivated.
8 November 2019 (3Y5M22D): We did this activity for the first time. She was enjoying it very much and she could do it well, albeit with much concentration and it took effort. Thus, it was the right level for her. We didn't use any basin. I felt that she won't fill it. It went fine. In general, she has been enjoying all the Montessori practical life activities I set up for her. So that was very nice.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Montessori Activity: Pouring Beans/Hælde Bønner/倒豆豆 [dào dòu dòu]
Age: From 1.5 years old
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills - also pincer grip when picking up spilled beans.
2. To teach counting.
3. To teach the concept of empty and full.
Materials:
1. 2 cups (preferably identical)
2. Dried red beans or any other beans filled in one of the cup (I use dried black beans here).
3. 1 Tray (optional, I use the Lego lid as tray)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by pouring beans from the jug on right hand side into the jug on the left hand side.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
Special Warning:
1. Supervise closely with the dried beans and don’t start with a toddler who is still mouthing. Remove and store away immediately after activity.
Total Cost: plastic cups very cheaply from IKEA.
Additional Information:
Usually you start with this activity before proceeding to pouring water, as it is easier than pouring water. J is very good in pouring water, when I tried it yesterday for the first time. Thus, in a way, he does not need to do this activity, except for the fun of it. I wish I have started this earlier for him, but better late than never.
While playing this game this morning, I discovered the Mandarin words that he now knows, "hai you, mei you le, hai yao, etc." meaning there is more there, no more already, all empty, I still want to play. While counting the spilled beans, Joshua counted them by himself, "yi, er, san, si" meaning one, two, three, four beans. But he stopped there. Thus, it gave me clue that my next Mandarin lesson will concentrate on the number 4 and 5 :-)
References:
http://montessorihelper.com/montessori-bean-pouring-lesson-activity/
Montessori Activity: Pouring "Tea"/Hæld en kop te/倒茶[dào chá]
Age: Generally from 2 years old
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s):
1. To train the child’s hand-eye coordination skill.
2. To teach the child social skills and courtesy.
3. To teach language skills.
Materials:
1. 1 small jug
2. 2 tea cups
3. 2 saucers (optional)
4. Water (3/4 filled in one of the jug)
5. 1 small towel (to wipe dry the tray)
6. 1 tray
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by pouring the water from one jug into the tea cups slowly one at a time and repeat.
2. Encourage and let your child try it by saying, "Please Joshua, could you pour mommy a cup of tea?"
3. Play pretend game and enjoy the "tea" with your child.
4. After the activity, demonstrate to your child by wiping the tray dry using the towel.
5. Encourage your child to try wiping.
Cost:
Total Cost: 7 DKK (1.70 SGD)
2 tea cups and jug (from second-hand market): 5 DKK (1.20 SGD)
2 Saucers from Søstrene Grene: 2 DKK (0.50 SGD) (Christmas present from dad)
Tray: free from Irma Supermarket
Additional Information:
J tried it on 12.3.2011 (24M6D) during potty time this evening. He poured the water overflowing the tea cups a few times, before finally getting better at it :-) Daddy FECS did a good job teaching him :-)
Montessori Activity: Cutting Playdough with Scissors/Skæring med Saks/使用剪刀 [shǐ yòng jiǎn dāo]
Age: Generally from 3 years old.
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s): To train the child’s fine motor skills
Materials:
1. 1 plastic scissors for kids (I use the brand called Color Kids)
2. 1 ball of play dough rolled into a roll
3. 1 basket (optional)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by cutting the play dough with the scissors slowly one by one.
2. Then assist your child to hold the scissors with thumb and fingers in the handle himself and have him practice opening and closing the scissors.
3. As your child opens and closes the scissors, hold the play dough in between the scissors while he cuts the play dough.
Tips:
1. You can sing and make the scissors motion as you cut the dough :-).
2. You can sing the song "Open Shut Them" and below are the lyrics:
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s): To train the child’s fine motor skills
Materials:
1. 1 plastic scissors for kids (I use the brand called Color Kids)
2. 1 ball of play dough rolled into a roll
3. 1 basket (optional)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by cutting the play dough with the scissors slowly one by one.
2. Then assist your child to hold the scissors with thumb and fingers in the handle himself and have him practice opening and closing the scissors.
3. As your child opens and closes the scissors, hold the play dough in between the scissors while he cuts the play dough.
Tips:
1. You can sing and make the scissors motion as you cut the dough :-).
2. You can sing the song "Open Shut Them" and below are the lyrics:
Open Shut Them
Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open shut them.
Give a little snip, snip, snip.
Open, shut them, open shut them.
Make another clip.
Open Shut Them
Open, shut them, open shut them.
Give a little snip, snip, snip.
Open, shut them, open shut them.
Make another clip.
Total Cost: Scissors 30 DKK (7 SGD)
Additional Information:
I am going to try this tomorrow. See I have already prepared the materials in the basket before I go to bed. I prepare in advance, because when Terrible Two Toddler J is around, I find it hard to gather my mind sometime. I am excited to know whether J is developmentally ready for this, but practice makes perfect :-). Tomorrow will be the first practice session :-) I bought the plastic scissors from BR Toys store.
References:
http://unitedteaching.com/blog/?p=222
Updates:
7 November 2019 (3Y5M21D): : C tried this today for the first time. She enjoyed it, and was able to keep it orderly too at 3 years old, compared to when she was 2 years old. She shaped the play dough into a flat pan cake too and cut the pancake.
7 November 2019 (3Y5M21D): She tried it for the first time today, and she could do it very well. She also enjoyed this activity a lot. She was making a lot of effort too and one could see her concentrating. The activity lasted quite long.
Montessori Activity: Pouring Water Into Bigger Jugs/Hælde Vand/倒水 [dào shuǐ]
Age: Generally from 2 years old (but all children are different, and you can try out some of the activities for younger or older children).
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objective(s): To train the child’s hand-eye coordination skill
Materials:
1. 2 small jugs or cups (preferably of equal size and colour)
2. Water (half filled in one of the jug)
3. 1 small towel (to wipe dry the tray)
4. 1 tray
Directions:
1. Demonstrate to your child by pouring the water from one jug into the other slowly and repeat.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
3. Then demonstrate to your child by wiping the tray dry using the towel.
4. Encourage your child to try wiping.
Tips:
For working mothers, combine activities by doing this during potty time. In this way, you are not afraid if your toddler will get wet (but usually it would not be wet at all). At the same time, you don't have to worry that so much time is wasted at the potty :-)
Total Cost: 50 DKK for 2 jugs (12 SGD)
Additional Information:
Joshua (24M5D) tried this activity during potty time this evening. It was an instant hit! He wanted to take over the pouring immediately and had great fun for a good 10 minutes I think. I had to stop the activity, as if not it will be too late for his bedtime. I used a timer and told Joshua that he had 2 more minutes and when the timer goes, he would have to get off the potty and into the shower room. It worked. Will definitely try this activity again :-) On hindsight, we should have let him try this activity earlier, but better late than never. I bought the jugs from HW Hjørnet in Lygnby.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Montessori Activity: Transferring with Scoop/Øse Kugler/舀弹子 [yǎo dàn zǐ]
Materials
Age: Generally from 2 years old (but all children are different, and you can try out some of the activities for younger or older children).
Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Objectives:
1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To teach focus and concentration skills.
Materials:
1. 2 bowls (preferably of equal size and colour)
2. Approx. 10 marbles (keep it simple, not too many)
3. 1 scoop (I use the mini wooden salt scoop here, but you can use a deep spoon)
4. 1 Tray (optional, I didn't use it here)
Directions:
1. Demonstrate it to your child by transferring the marble slowly one at a time.
2. Encourage and let your child try it.
Special Warning:
1. Supervise closely with marbles and don’t start with a toddler who is still mouthing. Remove and store away immediately after activity.
Cost:
Total Cost: 12 DKK (2.90 SGD)
Marbles: 7 DKK (1.70 SGD)
Mini Wooden Salt Scoop: 5 DKK (1.20 SGD)
Bowls: Free as you can use any bowls at home
Additional Information:
J turned 2 years old last Saturday, and after I have settled his nutrition, got into a good routine after getting back to work, got settled in the day care, got him settled in the music class, I have now surplus energy to set another goal. This year 2011 and J’s year 3, my goal is to start Montessori activities, focusing on the Montessori’s Practical Life. I am glad that after two years, Florian is getting more and more supportive of the engrossment I am devoting to child development, and he is participating more and more and in the process enjoying it :-)
I tried this activity with J (2Y0M4D) for the first time during bed time by demonstrating to him this evening. At first, he took the easy way out by pouring the whole bowl of marbles into the other bowl. Then he used his fingers to transfer the marble to the other bowl one by one… arrrgggh. Finally, he used the scoop successfully repeatedly – hurray!!! Towards the end, he got tired, and used his fingers to transfer the marbles again. Then I ended the game. It was very fun, and I was glad that J enjoyed it, as if not, he would have moved on to something else.
I read about this activity from other blogs and am so excited to try it! I bought the marbles from BR Toys for 30 DKK for a pack of 30. You can also get a pack of 10 for 6.60 DKK from Søsterne Grene, but each ball is multi colour and not distinguishable. I intend to use the marbles to teach colours, thus, I prefer the ones from BR Toys. The scoop cost approx. 5 DKK from Søstrene Grene too. I bought the teak-wooden bowls from Søstrene Grene for 20 DKK each, because I was vain and like to have the neutral colours, but you don’t have to do that. Any bowls will do.
References:
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/developing-practical-life-skills/
6 November 2019 (3Y5M20D): We tried this for the first time today. She enjoyed it very much. She could do it very well, but at the same time still find it enjoyable to do. At some point, she did try to pour the whole bowl into the other bowl, like what J did. With this, today started the formal Montessori activity with C that will continue through and become a more regular part of our regular evening routine. It is thus the start of a more regular school time. The only thing is that it is hard to put her to bed early. We usually start this activity at 7 pm, and try to finish by 7.30 pm. However, school time can continue on to 8 pm, if she wishes to continue to do more. It becomes a dilemma for me - should she sleep or should she continue school time. I really try to limit to 7.30 pm, but we do often continued until 8 pm. We normally do all the Montessori activities in Mandarin. Apart from reading English books, school time has been conducted in Mandarin.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Montessori Activities for Toddlers (from 2 years old...)
I am compiling a list of fun and educational Montessori activities demonstrated by some amazing mothers from different blogs that I would like to do with Joshua. Generally, the activities are for 2 years olds, but all children are different, and you can try out some of the activities for younger children.
As far as possible, I try to research and only include activities that are economical to implement (as I am aware that some of the original Montessori materials cost a bomb and are not within the reach of an average family).
Practical Life:
Bathing Baby-Doll
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/07/ultimate-baby-washing.html
Brushing & Combing Hair
Buckling
http://momreflection.blogspot.com/2011/09/montessori-activity-buckling-belt.html
Buttoning and other simple dressing skills
http://www.infomontessori.com/practical-life/care-of-the-person-dressing-frame-button.htm
Carrying & Laying a Mat
Climbing & Descending Stairs
Cracking Eggs
http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/02/sunnyside-up.html
Cutting with butter knife
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grqvXiPx3-U&list=UU17boVxkRdrMtsXWBPHhWiA
http://momlearnings.blogspot.com/2011/10/montessori-activity-cutting-button.html
http://theadventuresofbear.blogspot.com/2010/01/practical-life.html
Cutting with Scissors
http://unitedteaching.com/blog/?p=222
http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2010/12/snip.html
http://theattachedmama.blogspot.com/2010/07/pom-pom-sorting-and-cutting-activity.html
http://mymontessorijourney.typepad.com/my_montessori_journey/2009/09/cutting-work.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/10/toddler-scissor-lesson.html
Containers with lids
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/little-hands/
http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/03/bottle-caps.html
Dusting
Flower Arranging
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/flower-arranging/
http://mymontessorijourney.typepad.com/my_montessori_journey/2010/05/practical-life-with-a-garden-theme.html
Folding Clothes
Funnelling
http://helenlindsay.wordpress.com/2008/05/25/practical-life-pouring/
http://lilytots.blogspot.com/2010/08/montessori-monday.html
Gluing
http://momlearnings.blogspot.com/2011/09/montessori-activity-pasting-pictures.html
http://unitedteaching.com/blog/?p=196
Grocery shopping
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/grocery-shopping/
Hand Washing
http://spiralmontessorimama.blogspot.com/2009/09/hand-washing-toddler-style.html
Hanging Clothes
http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/01/lab-work-zos-closet.html
Lacing
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2011/01/yet-another-snow-day-yay.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/08/lacing-work.html
http://www.infomontessori.com/practical-life/care-of-the-person-dressing-frame-lacing.htm
http://hapalab.blogspot.com/2011/04/old-shoe.html
Matching
http://www.mommymoment.ca/2010/08/brown-bear-brown-bear-felt-activity.html
Matching Sounds
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/sound-matching/
Nesting Boxes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JMgU7tw0hE&list=UU17boVxkRdrMtsXWBPHhWiA
Polishing
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/pretty-as-a-penny/
Pegging
http://nurturingthetenderyears.blogspot.com/2010/04/montessori-inspired-workboxes.html
Pounding Playdough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r23wayjV_9w
Pouring Beans
http://www.anamazingchild.com/resources%20and%20activities/resources%20and%20activities/resources_files/14bbe757d32425d876d2e5bcfeda644a-8.php
Pouring Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFIrMo_cSwU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaPEiOLYT0&list=UU17boVxkRdrMtsXWBPHhWiA
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/11/control-of-error-pouring.html
http://theadventuresofbear.blogspot.com/2011/01/pouring-rocks.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2011/01/yet-another-snow-day-yay.html
http://www.infomontessori.com/practical-life/preliminary-exercises-pouring.htm
http://lilytots.blogspot.com/2010/08/montessori-monday.html
Saying "Please" and "Thank you"
Sitting Down & Getting Up from a Chair
Snapping frame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JcXQXYXFdA&list=UU17boVxkRdrMtsXWBPHhWiA
Sorting
http://www.mommymoment.ca/2011/02/sorting-it-out.html
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/sorting-by-color/
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/a-day-in-the-life-of-asher/
http://www.mommymoment.ca/2010/09/mondays-montessori-moment-link-up.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/09/sorting-opening-and-bug-matching.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/11/size-shape-and-color-sorting.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/search/label/practical%20life?updated-max=2010-11-11T12%3A59%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=20
Squeezing Sponge
http://theworkplan.blogspot.com/2010/09/we-are-family-montessori-monday.html
Spooning
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/developing-practical-life-skills/
http://www.infomontessori.com/practical-life/preliminary-exercises-spooning-grains.htm
Strainering
http://mommyme-thewonderyears.blogspot.com/2009/06/toddler-activity-using-strainer-and.html
Stringing & Threading
http://www.mommymoment.ca/2011/03/beauty-of-bead-stringing.html
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/threading/
Table Setting
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/table-setting/
Transferring with Tongs
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/flexibility-is-key/
Transferring with Tweezers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvFTZ0EWjuY&list=UU17boVxkRdrMtsXWBPHhWiA
http://mymontessorimoments.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/transfer-with-tweezers/
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/11/squeezing-work-pompom.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2011/01/tots-with-tool-tuesday.html
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/09/fine-motor-work-corn.html
Transferring with Scoop
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/11/amazing-etsy-find-scoop-and-rainbow.html
Transferring Ice
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/2010/08/ice-transferring.html
Tying frame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aozljXXGY8&list=UU17boVxkRdrMtsXWBPHhWiA
Washing
http://educationofours.blogspot.com/search/label/practical%20life?updated-max=2010-11-11T12%3A59%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=20
Watering Plants
http://www.mommymoment.ca/2011/02/plant-care-for-tiny-green-thumbs.html
Walking on the Line
Wiping
Sensory:
Sound:
Musical Instruments
Music
Shaker Bottles
Basket of Spoons, Lids & Pots
String of Bells
Nature Walk
Visual:
Colour Mixing
http://momreflection.blogspot.com/2011/08/montessori-activity-mixing-colours-with.html
http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/01/printable-color-wheel-activity.html
Language:
Three Period Lesson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0BzZycy91Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH2nZmX0ntc
Silence Game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fSnae6S-iM
Reading
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A92jsupTwA
Preparation (Before Sandpaper Letters)
http://www.mommymoment.ca/2011/02/before-sandpaper-letters.html
Sandpaper Letter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWZ_8vRdZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYNkRr_wBx8
Sand/Salt Tracing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FmeTIYHG8s&feature=player_embedded
Chalk Tracing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpSA5igPd2U
Squeezing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYvxesZQaPM
I "Spy" Bags
Additional Information:
Here are two of my favourite books providing hands-on guide on Montessori activities that are practical, simple, easy to follow, fun to read an full of pictures. These books also provide lots of ideas on using simple equipment that you can find at home. You can find them in Amazon. However, if you have to only pick one, I would recommend the first book "Teach Me to Do It Myself":
Monday, 7 March 2011
Exploring Meaningful Career Options for Your Child
I know I might be accused of being a kiasu mom, already thinking of career options for Joshua, who is just 2 years old. But if I come across interesting options, why not file it up in my blog :-)
I remember when I was growing up, I was drifting a lot, indecisive and not knowing what to decide on my courses and specializations. I wanted so much to ask my parents, but unfortunately they could not guide me as they themselves had only received limited education. As such, I have taken a long detour. If I can in some small ways make the detour shorter for Joshua, why not :-)
I will observe the strengths and aptitude that God has given Joshua, then use my radar to survey the world for careers suitables for such strengths and aptitude, planning what path to take to reach there and prayerfully ask for God's guidance :-).
Below is the first link to my compilation:
http://www.maf.org/serve
How to Handle Your Child's "Why" Questions?
I read that from around the age of three - sometimes earlier - children will begin to see the world through new eyes and start asking the "why" questiosn. It is a wonderful age of discovery, but also a nail-biting time for parents. Joshua is turning 3 years old in a year's time, so I am starting to prepare myself for this. Overall, the strategy would be:The answer: Teach the child to find answers himself and when the child is older, make him the teacher to teach you the answers he has researched :-)
It really helps me to feel much better to know that I do not need to feel that I always have to know the answer to every question. I can teach my child to find the answer himself. Rather than being given immediate answers to his questions, he will learn to observe and wait, as well as to understand teh processes involved. This will increase self-esteem, because your child will learn to find out the answers to his own questions.
Here are some ways how to deal with it:
1. Invest In a Set of Encyclopedia
Keep a set of encyclopedias by the dinner table. When your child asks a question, help them to look up the answer on the spot. If they are old enough, ask them to look up the answer on the spot themselves. This way also encourages children to love learning, and relieve you from not knowing the answers.
2. Internet
Use the internet as a source of information (use parental controls once he is capable of 'surfing' himself), but not during dinner time. Do it during specific learning time, or after dinner. While at dinner, use the first method instead.
3. Library
Take him to the library to find answers. This also helps to instil in your child a sense of the value of books and you won't accumulate loads of books he'll grow out of!
4. Montessori Activities
Look for Montessori-inspired activities that will engage his imagination and set him on a voyage of discovery that has many pathways.
5. Make Your Child the Teacher
I am getting a little stressed about this questioning stage and my own low general knowledge level. Then on the way to work, this idea hit me. Since being a working mom, I have very limited time to do research and read broadly, why not get Joshua to do all these for me. When Joshua is older and can read and write, I will say to him that I don't know the answer to his question and would appreciate if he could do the research and teach me his findings in a summary report and lecture.
The best way to lean is to teach others. Since I am someone very shallow on general knowledge, this would be a good chance for me to learn, having Joshua does all the research and summaries, ha ha. This idea really helps me relax and rest in the fact that I don't have answers to every of his questions.
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