A change of seasons brings a whole kaleidoscope of new emotions, feelings, colours, excitement and anticipation. Changes in nature create a unique atmosphere in classrooms and call for new adventures and learning opportunities. However, it also means that our bodies have to adjust as well. In autumn and winter there is less sun exposure, less time spent outdoors, the immune system is not as strong. All these factors bring on challenges of the cold and flu season. Challenge is especially real in … [Read more...]
Hands-on Montessori Homeschool Activities for a 5-year old.
Our choice to homeschool has been predetermined many years ago. I've spent hours meditating on this decision, thinking of the best ways to implement Montessori approach and self-directed learning in the home environment. I have to say, only this year after my daughter turned 5, I realised that this is precisely what I was dreaming about and even more. Homeschooling has become such an essential part of me, as a mum, my place to escape for a short period three days a week from all other … [Read more...]
Learning to tell time – Hands-On Ideas
I have noticed that generally, children get interested in clocks early on - before they are old enough to be able to read the analogue clock all on their own. For children to be able to tell time with analogue clocks they need to : be able to recognise numbers 0-60 know fractions be familiar with the definition of past and present, a.m, pm., afternoon, noon Usually, preschool children do not know these math concepts. However, schedules and time is something that often becomes an … [Read more...]
Most Valuable and Practical Montessori Lessons Learnt in 2016
I believe that one of the most fundamental and necessary aspects of survival for Montessori parents and teachers is a strong and connected community. Whether it's a virtual or physical space - we all need it, place and people that make you feel understood, accepted, where your voice is valid. We sharpen each other's knowledge and inspiration to do usual tasks differently, but most importantly, we help each other create stronger connections with our children. One of my favourite things in the … [Read more...]
Hands – On Montessori Homeschool Activities For A 4 Year Old
The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn. Maria Montessori I decided that it is time for us to share activities that our Montessori preschool home classroom is buzzing with. Talking homeschooling journey has been an exciting and strange adventure for me. I had to adapt and change my approach from what I used to do teaching in a classroom. Creating and running homeschooling routine with a baby on board is more of a challenge than a … [Read more...]
Gift Ideas for Hands-On Explorers
Every educator and parent knows how tremendously valuable hands-on discoveries for child's growing and developing the brain. It stimulates and boots their creativity and problem-solving skills and help build a connection between different complex concepts in their mind. From my personal experience observing my children interact with their friends in the home setting, I have noticed that they gravitate towards materials that provide open-ended child-driven interaction. Things that children can … [Read more...]
Montessori Peace Corner – Powerful Way To Resolve Conflicts
Maria Montessori was a passionate advocate for fostering peace among people through the power of education and use it as a tool to eliminate war on the whole planet once and for all. “Peace is a goal that can only be attained through common accord, and the means to achieve this unity for peace are twofold: first, an immediate effort to resolve conflicts without recourse to violence—in other words, to prevent war—and second, a long-term effort to establish a lasting peace among men” The whole … [Read more...]
Hands-on Learning About Plants In Our Montessori Classroom
As Maria Montessori said, "Nothing should be given to the brain that is not first given to the hand". We embrace hands-on learning in our Montessori homeschool classroom. I use every opportunity to make learning practical. My 4-yo Blossom told me that she would like to plant something in our garden. Truth be told at this stage our garden is non-existent, however, we started looking into the life cycle of the plant and learn about seed germination. The whole Plant Unit I plan contains several … [Read more...]
Sensory Explorations Outdoors – Touch With Nature Hunt Printable
Children discover the world using their 5 senses. They connect to it by absorbing sounds, textures, smells, pictures, tastes, emotions. At a young age, children are incredibly sensitive. Learning occurs naturally when they have an opportunity to utilise as many senses as possible. In the Montessori classroom, there are several areas of development, one of them is sensorial. Montessori sensorial aims to establish a strong connection between brain and senses in the process of learning, … [Read more...]
The Silence Game In Nature – Empowering Children with Mindfulness
Many of us probably didn't know how precious moments of silence are until we became parents or teachers. We all can agree that our world lacks silence today more than ever before. The noise we create is not necessarily produced by loud sounds. Noise can be made by clutter, unnecessary overload of visual and sensory information and stimulation. Noise takes away focus from what truly matters and distracts attention. Children react to overstimulation in their own way - through emotional outbursts, … [Read more...]
Montessori Inspired Explorations At The Beach
Taking Montessori classroom outside creates great opportunities for hands-on learning using minimum materials and effort. Sun, fresh salty air, sound of crashing waves - what a perfect setup for fun explorations for kids. We headed to the beach to do fun Montessori activities as a part of preschool homeschool program. Before allowing children to play and simply have awesome time in nature, I prepared and organised Montessori inspired activities taking advantage of the natural outdoor … [Read more...]
Homeschooling Preschooler The Montessori Way
Our homeschooling journey is something that consumes my heart and mind these days. I guess because it is unknown territory that we are walking into. So far it brought great fruit and I feel that our everyday life is bursting in colours like never before. My daughter's "whys" have got completely new dimension, and I love, love, love how excited she got from receiving a magnifying glass by mail the other day. I would like to share what happened when we emerged into our Montessori work 3 - hour … [Read more...]
Routine For Our Montessori Home Preschool
It is not a secret that child needs stability in life in order to feel secure. Order in life creates inner order and peace, something that lays the foundation for successful learning, smooth transitions and happy kid. One of the first tasks for homeschoolers is to establish their own rhythm, set up a daily schedule that is the backbone of the whole process. Establishing a routine for our Montessori homeschooling days was the best thing I could have done for my young Montessori preschooler. I … [Read more...]