From the city to the country - we are loving every second of it: fresh air, animals everywhere we look, and gorgeous nature all around us. We feel so grateful :) The equestrian farm is right across from Julia's (Montessori) school - we love to stop by and say "Hello"! Read more →
I always try to find new ways to explore the same material: learning alphabet letters for example. So, today we are using Magnetic Pattern Geometric Shape Blocks (buy here) which come with a wooden magnetic play board and 120 magnets in a variety of geometric shapes and colors. I found... Read more →
I remember language lessons at a school that I attended (non-Montessori): they were tedious, non-exciting, monotone: writing in a notebook for an hour, the same letter - ten plus lines of it. However, with a Montessori approach, there is so much I can do to see a "spark" in my... Read more →
Adrian has been using all different types of tongs (buy here) since about two years of age, and at a three-year mark, he has mastered them all except for chop-sticks. So, to keep the interest alive, I change the setup frequently and offer a "new" and aesthetically enticing presentation. For... Read more →
With all these beautiful mum flowers on our porch, Adrian decided to make small flower arrangements and decorate the house with them. Buy this Flower Arranging Activity here. We love Montessori aprons! There is no tying or fastening involved: a child as young as two-years-old can independently put on an... Read more →
In a 👻 Halloween spirit, today, we are exploring a black bean sensory bin filled with Halloween inspired objects. Sensory bins have been my children's favorite activity, and today, I am adding a little math twist: Adrian has to find and retrieve all the objects, sort and count them, and... Read more →
Dr. Maria Montessori described the First Plane of Development (lasting from birth to six years) as a period of the Absorbent Mind, characterized by "young child's behavior of quickly and effortlessly assimilating the sensorial stimuli of his or her environment, including information from the senses, language, culture, and the development... Read more →
Adrian loves this 5 Layer "Pumpkin" Puzzle. It is developed in Germany, each puzzle layer is number-coded (1-4), and it offers four puzzles in one! It also goes very well with our Montessori Fall-Themed Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers! Adrian first sorts all the pieces into four "piles" by numbers... Read more →
Montessori math curriculum emphasizes the difference between a numeral and quantity. I remember hearing for the first time the concept: "this say 1" vs "this is 1" and saying to myself: how will I remember all this! (Read my Early Math post for more information on says vs. is). Well,... Read more →
Adrian has been enjoying cutting with scissors since about 25 months: it started with fringe-cutting, followed by simple strip cutting. At this point, Adrian is very comfortable cutting on the lines. So, today, we have many Fall inspired strips to cut. Practice makes the hand stronger and more precise. Once,... Read more →
Today, during breakfast, we were reading a book about how to make playdough scenes, and of course, right after, Adrian was eager to implement. Adrian learned how to make a sphere ball from playdough by rotating it between both palms of his hands. He then tried the same technique using... Read more →
Today, we are learning about the time: how to tell, read and write time, and the importance of time in our lives, and how we should cherish and not waste it. Since there are only a finite amount of hours in a day, we shall spend time wisely, and if... Read more →
Celebrating Adrian's 3rd Birthday the "Montessori style". What do children expect from a birthday? A party with gifts, balloons, a cake, and lots of people - some of whom they might be meeting for the first time, like distant relatives or parent's friends. The birthday child might also have many... Read more →
It is Fall here, in Western Hemisphere, and apples are everywhere! So today, it is all about apples! Apple Serving Activity We Love these Montessori aprons: independence = confidence = happy child Learning about the Life Cycle of an Apple These are traditional Montessori 3-Part Cards. Read more on matching... Read more →
Today, we are exploring animals, counters, quantity and numerals. Adrian would count the animals, and then place a corresponding number of marble underneath, filling just the exact number of empty square boxes. Zebra - is Adrian's favorite animal:) Adrian would count a marble for each animal and then find the... Read more →
What can be better than enjoying a beautiful autumn afternoon while drawing pumpkins on the porch? Adrian drew Julia holding balloons. In Julia's painting: "Mommy did not have time to put on a costume, while Adrain is a spider, Dad is a pirate, and Julia is Princess Aurora. For more... Read more →
Practical Life activities include among others, care for self and others and care of the environment. Caring for plants is part of caring for the environment and it is a wonderful opportunity for a child to develop responsibility, discipline, and most importantly affection for nature. "There must be a provision... Read more →
Today, we were picking red and yellow raspberries (Pick Your Own) at a nearby farm. The farm's pamphlet said: "conditions for picking are excellent", but a lot of raspberries were either picked already or still green. However, for a child, it is the process that brings true satisfaction, not the... Read more →
Autumn is our favorite season! We love the vibrancy of the deciduous trees as its foliage change color and eventually descend gracefully, revealing peacefulness and serenity of bare branches which are to revive with life once the spring season comes around. The weather is perfect: not hot or humid and... Read more →
When should a toddler be expected to do simple addition with numerals 1-10? If using Montessori methods, such as Addition Strip Board, then probably even before the third birthday. The beauty of Montessori method is that complex abstract concepts are broken down into concrete steps, understandable even to a two... Read more →