how we montessori

Studying Worms

Montessori wrote of providing the child with the tools of observation. I take this literally and have found Caspar intently interested in using binoculars, magnifying glass and microscope all from the age of three.

Other tools of observation? A worm farm is a great tool for observing worms. You can see Caspar preparing the farm here last year. He received the worm farm as a gift as a two year old. What a great gift, he still loves it and he's almost five.

A bit of researching, a bit of drawing. Official notes, measurements and observations have been recorded. 

I love that Otis as the younger brother has the opportunity to observe and absorb too. 

Keeping the worm farm also serves as a care of environment activity.  The worms need moisture, warmth (which is why we are keeping them inside this time) and darkness. 

I'm completely in love with Alice Cantrell. Her artwork available on Etsy is whimsical and educational. This print serves as an extension activity, like a spark of inspiration for our thoughts. What really happens underground? I like it a lot.

And just because we like to have fun (and may be a little bit silly) we created a couple of extra large worms for some wormly play.

It's wonderful to see Caspar develop through using the same materials over and over again. Each time we use the worm farm he becomes more independent in setting it up and caring for it. Each time his knowledge increases and his interest increases. I'm sure worms aren't for every child but they have captured this boy's imagination.

 

Montessori Toddler Aprons - 15 months +

About a month ago I made Otis an apron, you can see him wearing it in my last post. I couldn't find many aprons for sale for this age group. The aprons 3-6 years are too big. So really similar to Sarah's Apron, I traced the outline of Caspar's apron and made a smaller one for Otis. Just as easy you could take up/in the larger sized apron and then let it out as your child grows. This is great if you can sew and have the time. 

Recently I found these adorable aprons from GooseDesigns. Not only are these aprons made specifically for toddlers 15 months to three years, they're based on a pattern from the AMI Assistants to Infancy training and worn by toddlers in Montessori communities. They are super cute. I admit to being a little biased, we've used many of April's products and have loved every one. These prints are really charming too, don't you think?

Recently I noticed these aprons which are made from terry cloth. Great for water activities. The design of these involve elastic under the arm so the toddler can slide into the apron themselves. This would work really well for Otis. I'm thinking these would work well for art too. Our current smock is far too difficult for Otis to put on himself. 

The only other place I've found aprons for toddlers is at Montessori Services here and here.

 

Our Family Calendar

I promised I would share our calendar system as soon as I found something that worked for us. I was desperate. Caspar needed a concrete way of learning the days of the week, especially distinguishing between week days and the weekend and counting down to special events, visitors, holidays and birthdays. We've tried a traditional calendar but it wasn't at all engaging and not large enough to record all we wanted. 

I've had this calendar bookmarked. I knew it wasn't exactly what we needed but I found it inspirational. I also love this concept from the Wallsticker Company but knew because of it's size I wouldn't be able to convince my husband. We settled on a similar calendar on a much smaller scale and with lots of room to customise. We have this one from Etsy.

The calendar usually isn't this blank, I've removed some of the detail for privacy. Also I clean the right side panel every morning so Caspar and I can fill it in. Usually we record the temperature and weather. We're not tracking all phases of the moon but are marking full and new moons. We haven't starting a conversation on seasons just yet but I'm sure that will be next. I also wanted to show you this calendar before next month, yes April will be a busy one for us.   

As you can see it features prominently in our living space. Which is why I waited until I found the perfect calendar. It's also our family calendar so I didn't want it hidden or in Caspar's room. Otis can easily reach it but because we use a wet erase chalk marker he barely even smudges it. Almost baby proof.

You have probably noticed that I've started the week on a Monday. I've always felt the week finishes on a Sunday and starts on a Monday, but I'm not sure if I should be teaching Caspar my crazy ways. Another thing that I like about this calendar is it's chalkboard. Caspar loves to use it. I paid some attention to the calendar in his classroom recently. It too is surprisingly simple. Just days of the week applied with blutack. I probably wouldn't call it beautiful but definitely appealing.  

 

Our modest start on Easter preparations

We've made a modest start on Easter preparations. Easter tree decorated - check. You can see our tree from last year here. This year we wanted to keep the tree off the floor and out of the reach of Otis. The bare branches suit our season, we are coming into Autumn and our cooler months. My favourite egg is the red one pictured above. It looks like a mama bird affectionately tending to it's baby. 

My baby has some eggs of his own. A mixture of wooden and crochet eggs. The crochet eggs are from Etsy here and are delightful to look at and to touch. They are made for babies so a little teething is ok. I hope the photographs do them justice because they are no ordinary crochet eggs. They really are vibrant. I love the contrast between the smoothness of the bare wood and the texture of the cotton crochet. 

 

Karla, your aprons ROCK!

Yesterday we also did some juicing. But you have seen us juice before. I really just wanted to show you Karla's oilcloth aprons.

You know I love little vases, little napkins, well I love little aprons too. 

Juicing can be hard work for those little hands! And juice is always good right?

I need to think about how we use aprons. Try to be more deliberate in their use. To help define the activity.

He already has an apron for food preparation but this one is just for juicing! 

Do your children use different aprons for different activities? I mean I know they do at school but what about home?

 

Today the Sun Shone

The sun came out today. Tomorrow it will be gone again, back behind some storm clouds. We made the most of it and had an impromptu picnic. Although it was still a little fresh, I took Otis's jumper off. Just so that he could enjoy some sunlight on those little arms. 

Otis has started to chew on everything. I need something that will satisfy this new, emerging need. These cloth rattles and teething ring arrived today from April (from goosedesigns). He is looking for some sort of texture, I hope these work for him. 

Thank you Elizabeth (from quiltmakers cottage) for your beautiful quilt, we love it. I hope you don't mind us using it outside, the occassion called for it. 

 

The Rainbow Ring Mobile

At Home with Montessori has some really useful information on infant mobiles, including one similar to this Rainbow Ring. I am still wondering though what is the link to Montessori? Any ideas? 

It is a beautiful mobile but hasn't made it to Otis's room. Caspar liked it so much it went straight in his room. Caspar has now decided that he will have the Dancers in his room so the Rainbow Ring is now centre stage near our kitchen. It is a great location really, I can still put Otis under it and it keeps him busy while I am trying to prepare a meal, or get something to eat myself! I think it will stay here for a while. 

It is made of felt so it is light and looks lovely and natural. This one is from Bella's Casa (we purchased the Dancers and the Rainbow Ring as a set!). Bella's Casa have some new felt letters and numbers which look wonderful too! 

 

More on the wash table

I was thrilled to find Montessori Print Shop featuring the train table turned wash table. If you haven't already click over to their blog article Washing clothes - Montessori style. The article contains some great information on practical life activities. 

Also I should have included the red Montessori style apron Caspar was wearing at the wash table is from Handmade Montessori Materials. I just love, love, love some of the fabrics Karla uses for her oilcloth aprons, it's the patterns - they are like of nostalgic. 

 

Goose Designs

April from the wonderful Goose Designs has included some of our images on her etsy site, so if you haven't already click on over and check them out. Goose Designs have a small range of mobiles and grasping materials and their packaging is so lovely. Any of their items would make a perfect gift for expecting parents or a newborn and what a great way to introduce Montessori to a family. 

 

The Gobbi Mobile

Last night I noticed Otis batting at his Octahedron Mobile. It reminded me that he has just turned eight weeks old and perhaps it was time to introduce the Gobbi. We have been encouraged to change the mobiles regularly around every two weeks as each mobile has it's own unique benefit and to prevent the child from getting bored.  

The Gobbi is a beautiful mobile comprised of spheres in graduated shades of one colour to stimulate the visual sense. The spheres are light so that they move in the breeze. We purchased our Gobbi from Goose Designs. I have seen them made in a range of colours so I guess you could get one to coordinate with your child's room.  

Soon we will be introducing mobiles for batting and grasping and materials for the hand. 

Please remember that I love your input, please always feel free to leave comments, relevant links or email me.