Seashell Counting

In the Montessori classroom there is a work called Numerals and Counters in which a child matches the numeral to its quantity. With it being Summer I decided to use Pinterest and find an extension of this work. I was excited when I found Sparkle Box and these seashell numerals I printed and cut out. The numerals go through 100 but you can adjust it to fit your child's needs. I chose to use 0-5 the first time. I used the seashells we had collected from our visit to the beach a few weeks ago. Cute Story: I was explaining to Ava about the number zero and that zero meant "nothing" and that it didn't get "any" seashells. Ava looked up at me and with all sincerity and said, "Mom, it's ok we can share with zero so it won't be all alone." I got a little giggle but it also touched my heart that my sweet girl wanted to share with zero. 

My silly girl wanted to pose like this for the picture. 

Pull-A-Scarf

We bought this work for Ava from Lakeshore Learning (it's been discontinued) when she was about 6 months old. This is such a great tactile work. It's been out on the shelf for Lucy but up until now she hadn't shown any interest in working with it. Today while I was working with Ava I turned to find Lucy with the plush box in her hands pulling out each scarf to discover there was another one right behind it. There are 6 different colored scarves in 3 different textures. Lucy smiled and laughed as she pulled each scarf out. She would put down one scarf and then pick up another to feel each texture. It's safe to assume she was comparing the different textures and their bright colors.

I was looking back through my Pinterest board for my girls and found a few DIY projects that are very similar to this Pull-A-Scarf work. Take a look here. Why not use those extra wipe boxes and scrap material you have lying around? 

Montessori created a work very similar to this called the Fabric Box. A child typically wears a blind fold and tries to match the 6 pairs of different fabrics by touch alone. If you have a younger child you can just simply match fabric swatches like this. 

Alphabet Search

I was going through a few of my Montessori/School tubs and came across a pack of magnetic Alphabet letters my dad had given me a few years back. I held on to them thinking I'll use them one day but never came up with any ideas. I happen to be on Pinterest the other day and randomly came across some Alphabet activities. I took Little hands, Big work and We Can Do All Things ideas and combined them to make our Alphabet Search work. This is like a two for one because it's a language and sensory work.

For this work you'll need a bin, some rice or beans (I used both), magnetic Alphabet letters, Alphabet template and a baking tray or something that will hold magnets. Your child will more than likely enjoy using their hands to sift through the rice/beans to find the letters. In the event they are not big on touching rice/beans you can use a strainer to scoop up the letters.

Ava really enjoyed letting the sand and beans run through her fingers.

We went over each letter sound as she took them out.

All finished and so proud of her work!

Grace And Courtesy

Grace and courtesy lessons are given from the get go in a Montessori classroom. These lessons teach children how to interact with people and their environment in a respectful way. While these lessons are taught for the classroom they can easily extend outside to any situation in and outside the home. After all, we want our children to be respectful citizens of society. Some common lessons given are how to greet someone, interrupting politely, open and closing a door quietly, sit and stand up properly, tuck in a chair, and how to use courteous language.

We as adults should model this behavior in our every day life.  Although a child can pick up so much by just observing us in every day life situations it's not a bad idea to have actual lessons/practice for these situations. For instance, you can role-play with your child on how to gain your attention appropriately. When I was in the middle of a lesson with another child, other children were taught to place their hand on my shoulder if I was sitting or on my hip if I was standing. They were shown how to stand quietly and patiently wait until I turned to address them. If I was at a place in a lesson where I couldn't stop, I would place my hand on that child's hand indicating that they needed to wait a bit longer until I could give him/her my attention. Through this process I am acknowledging the child's presence and teaching the child patience.

Photo borrowed from The House of Hendrix

Borrowed from Montessori Training

Teaching your child the correct way to greet someone can be so beneficial for not only social but possible business encounters one day. When a child starts their day they are taught to greet their teacher, shake hands, make eye contact, and say a pleasant, "Good morning."

From Montessori Training

Circle time is a great time to practice Grace and Courtesy lessons.

Another lesson that can be given is how to use courteous language such as please, thank you, and you're welcome. You may have to enlist the help of another parent, friend, or older sibling to role-play. One way to do this is to sit at a set table with your "helper." Model one set of phrases at a time.

"Would you like some juice?" "Yes, please."

(Pour the water.) "Thank you." "You're welcome."

"Would you please pass the bread?" "Yes, here it is."

(Pass the bread.) "Thank you." "You're welcome."

After modeling all the phrases, switch out your "helper" for your child and repeat the process again. A child may not exemplify the phrases after one lesson but you can always make up another scenario to practice courteous language. 

Sit Still Like A Statue

Daddy has always trimmed Ava's hair from the time that it first needed it. We even saved a few pieces from her first trim. (Are we too sentimental? haha) It's still a little strange to see Ava with such long hair because it seemed like it took forever for her hair to grow when she was a baby. The other day we took Ava for her first professional hair cut by the lovely Amber Goins at Shear Illusions in Fayetteville, NC. (Yes, this is partly an advertisement. haha) Ava was super excited but a little nervous mainly because she doesn't like when the hair from her bangs falls into her eyes. Before we arrived we were talking to Ava about what Mrs. Amber would do. We explained how still she needed to be to make sure her hair would come out right. We asked her if she remembered what a statue was and of course a 3 year old knows everything. We told her that she had to sit really still just like a statue and she politely said "I know, Mom!"

Considering this being her first hair cut, I think she did well. She of course got tired of sitting still and looking down when need be but overall she did great. Mrs. Amber was super patient with her! Ava thought she was the greatest because when it came time to cut her bangs Mrs. Amber didn't let one stitch of hair get in her eyes. Now we have our own personal Dora!