One day Otis spilt some milk on the kitchen floor. 'I'll just go get my mop' he said to me and off he went. He cleaned up the milk and put his mop away. He was two. I totally credit his school (and teachers) for this as he had recently started in a formal Montessori classroom. I guarantee you cleaning up after accidentally making a spill or breakage happens naturally, automatically to children (including toddlers) in Montessori environments all around the world - everyday. Often in Montessori schools using a mop or wet mopping is actually presented as a lesson.... Read more →
I have never felt comfortable about children receiving pocket money. My children are three and six. Perhaps I'll change my mind as my children get older but right now it's not for us. I support and am interested in children working and fund-raising if this is for an event (holidays, show, school fair) or for charity. Not so long ago a friend's children held a lemonade stall and gave the funds to the Yellow Food Rescue Van. They delivered the money in person and I'm sure it was a special experience for them. Caspar recently had a business idea and... Read more →
Stereognosis - is the ability to perceive and recognize the form of an object in the absence of visual and auditory information, by using tactile information to provide cues from texture, size, spatial properties, and temperature, etc. The Mystery Bag (3-6 years) from How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way; The mystery bag has long been a favourite children's activity. Usually it is simply a cloth bag or box with a hole for your child's hands, through which she can touch and manipulate objects that she cannot see. To play you will need a collection of small object... Read more →
When I mention Montessori items, I'm thinking Montessori in the home, not for homeschooling but for living. Not necessarily Montessori designed materials but materials and toys a Montessori family might find useful and enjoy! If you are in the U.S, this post is for you! These are all Amazon affiliate links. Items the same as stocked in How we Montessori Shop. Children of the World 48 Piece Floor Puzzle by Melissa and Doug (pictured above) Pound and Roll Tower by Melissa and Doug Pop-Up Toy by Galt Cherry Chomper Strawberry Slicer Basic Crinkle Cutter Crinkle Cutter with Black Handle Mini... Read more →
There are so many words to describe the last two weeks. It has been crazy fun and crazy busy! What can I say other than you are an amazing group of parents, teachers and care givers. I've learnt there is a strong demand for Montessori materials for the home and that Montessori in Australia is alive and well! I am now concentrating of getting my stock levels back up and introducing new products. The intial range was based on the essentials while now I am purchasing lots of the fun items and broadening the base range. I have recently listed... Read more →
1. Absorbent Minds (UK), 2. Michael Olaf (US), 3. Michael Olaf (US), 4. For Small Hands (US), 5. How we Montessori Shop (Aus), 6. How we Montessori Shop (Aus), 7. Montessori Shop (NZ), 8. Montessori Paratodos (Spain). One of the things I love about Montessori is the approach to aprons. Aprons are more than something to protect the child's clothing. Aprons are a part of the environment, they are a material, a learning tool. By putting the apron on at the start of the activity and taking it off (and putting it away) at the end, the apron helps to... Read more →