It was the morning of my daughter's birthday when I realised that we completely run out of wrapping paper. So, normally in a situation like that, I would find a newspaper and wrap a gift in it, but instead, I took one of our new and clean kitchen towels and wrapped her present in it and tied with a ribbon. This was the moment I knew we never will be buying wrapping paper again. All our presents are now being wrapped in pretty scarves, table cloths, and fabrics that are easily found in … [Read more...]
Learning about Leaves with Leaf Printables
Autumn is such a wonderful season, and the best one to observe nature's transformation. The days grow colder and darker, the animals gathering food and preparing for winter, and the amazing leaves changing colour, from their usual green to the enchanting red, yellow or rusty. But did you know that there are two types of trees? The trees that lose their leave are called "deciduous" trees (shedding leaves helps trees conserve energy and water during winter) and the ones that don't, are called … [Read more...]
Forest Cards and Nature Journaling
Nature has always been an important part of my life, ever since I was a child, and this was one of the things I wanted to share with my children. To be able to discover it together, to see them explore it, in their own unique way, and to teach them nature's importance, and how to protect it.Nature is the one place where you can learn not only to connect with yourself but live in harmony with the environment. It teaches you to protect and respect life, and each living thing, big or small. Nature … [Read more...]
Risk-taking in Play and Everyday Life for Children
Parenthood means to protect young ones from injuries and pain but it is distressing feelings that help children learn about their surrounding environment. Youngsters need to explore and learning of risk and safety is a part of growing up both physically and mentally. There’s a certain cap to this, of course. There are activities you will classify as appropriate risk and others absolutely inappropriate. Fast definition of risky play At Montessori Nature we know that risk play is a form of ecs … [Read more...]
The Importance and Benefits of Teaching Gardening to Children Toddlers to Preschoolers.
There’s this common misconception that gardening is an activity best suited for the elderly. However, that is not even remotely true. You see, studies have shown that there are many benefits of introducing gardening to kids at age toddlers to preschoolers. Through garden play, children acquire and improve crucial skills, have fun, and develop self-confidence all the while enjoying a nature-friendly childhood the Montessori way. But, how exactly does gardening help a child’s development? W … [Read more...]
Indoor Garden Craft Ideas for Kids – Plants That Stimulate the Senses
Every parent wants their kids to enjoy the outdoors and to have a strong connection with Mother Nature. And while most grown-ups are grabbing every chance of escaping from closed environments, many kids tend to do quite the opposite and spend days without seeing the sunlight. Thankfully they have us, the parents, to help them out and guide them the Montessori way. There are plenty of indoor garden ideas and projects that will capture your kid’s attention while expanding their interactive s … [Read more...]
Learning About Birds in the Montessori Preschool Classroom
Birds play a crucial role in Nature and represent a great diversity of the animal kingdom. There are roughly between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds. Choosing to study birds is always guaranteed to be a popular topic with children in the school and a homeschool classroom. I created a set of materials that can help you to generate more interest and engage children into a learning process - reading, spelling, sorting, train memory while getting familiar with some of their favourite feathered … [Read more...]
How to Make a Vegetable Garden for Kids
Children love dirt! Gardening is a perfect excuse to get dirty! Ann Sanders of A Green Hand shared her easy to implement step-by-step guide to creating a nourishing vegetable garden with your children. Gardening is one of the major part of Practical Life activities children learn to master in Montessori environment. In addition to presenting amazing health benefits, gardening allows children to be engaged in the process that does not produce immediate result. This teaches children to be patient … [Read more...]
What happens if every child picks a flower?
With great pleasure, I introduce to you an inspiring blogger, author and nature lover Linda Åkeson McGurk of Rain or Shine Mamma. In this guest post-Linda is offering a different perspective and approach to nature-based learning and to the way we approach children's interaction with nature. “Don’t pick that flower! It’ food for the bees.” “Leave that rock! Imagine what would happen if everybody picked one.” “Don’t touch that bug – you may hurt it!” If I had planted a tree every time I … [Read more...]
15 Hands On Summer Nature Activities for Kids.
Summer is the perfect time for kids to spend all day outdoors and make explorations in nature. Joe of Nature Rated definitely knows how to bring adventure into everyday life. Joe created a great infographic as a handy reminder of all the meaningful and fun things active children can do using their hands and imagination in nature. What are your kids doing this Summer? For many of us Summertime with the kids is a time to enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine and if you're lucky the ocean. As muc … [Read more...]
