This is Part IV of looking at 101 Ways to Help a Montessori Child by Barbara Hacker. Like before, I have put the main parts of each point in bold and added some of my own commentary in parentheses and italics. Enjoy!
31. Tell and re-tell family based stories. For example, "On the day you were born..."
32. Look at family pictures together. Help your child be aware of his/her extended family, names, and relationships. (in addition to getting out your treasured family photo album, I think a wonderful idea is to create a small photo album for your child that he can get out and look at whenever he wants too - for those children not yet reading or at the stages of being able to read soon, label each picture with mommy, daddy, grandma, etc. so that your child will be familiar with how those words look)
33. Construct your child's biography, the story of his/her life. A notebook is ideal so that it can be added each year. Sharing one's story can become a much loved ritual. It can be shared with the child's class at birthday time.
34. Assist your child to be aware of his/her feelings, to have vocabulary for emotions and be able to express them.
35. Play games together. Through much repetition children learn to take turns, to win and lose.
36. Together, do things to help others. For example, take food to an invalid neighbor, contribute blankets to a homeless shelter, give toys to those who have none, etc.
37. Speak the language of the virtues. Talk about patience, cooperativeness, courage, integrity, cheerfulness, helpfulness, kindness, etc. and point out those virtues when you see them demonstrated. (practice the virtues yourself as well and you will teach by doing)
38. Refrain from giving your child too much "stuff." If there is already too much, give some away or store and rotate.
39. Memorize poetry and teach it to your child and recite together.
40. Put up a bird feeder. Let your child have responsibility for filling it. Together learn to be good watchers and learn about the birds you see.
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