This week's Friday Notable, How are You Peeling?, is an amazing book created by sculptor Saxton Freymann and author Joost Elffers. The text itself follows a fairly standard script about different kinds of emotions, but what sets this book apart is the amazing and beautiful pictures of fruit and veggie sculptures created by Freymann. Each piece of food is given a face filled with emotion and character and then set in front of a bold, single color background. The result is a very clear and attention grabbing depiction of the physical expressions that accompany emotions. Once you have read the book a few times and your child is familiar with the pictures and text, try sitting in front a mirror with the book and see if you can both mimic the faces in the pages. If your child is very curious about the art itself, there is a brief note in the beginning of the book describing Freymann's work. I suggest reading that with your child as well and then going into your kitchen to see if you can find any funny shaped fruit to sculpt into something amazing. Especially for toddlers who are just learning how to label their emotions this is a fun and yet clear way to begin introducing the language of emotions. Enjoy!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday Notables - How are You Peeling?
This week's Friday Notable, How are You Peeling?, is an amazing book created by sculptor Saxton Freymann and author Joost Elffers. The text itself follows a fairly standard script about different kinds of emotions, but what sets this book apart is the amazing and beautiful pictures of fruit and veggie sculptures created by Freymann. Each piece of food is given a face filled with emotion and character and then set in front of a bold, single color background. The result is a very clear and attention grabbing depiction of the physical expressions that accompany emotions. Once you have read the book a few times and your child is familiar with the pictures and text, try sitting in front a mirror with the book and see if you can both mimic the faces in the pages. If your child is very curious about the art itself, there is a brief note in the beginning of the book describing Freymann's work. I suggest reading that with your child as well and then going into your kitchen to see if you can find any funny shaped fruit to sculpt into something amazing. Especially for toddlers who are just learning how to label their emotions this is a fun and yet clear way to begin introducing the language of emotions. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Midweek Creations - Stickers!
Toddlers love stickers and introducing them into art time is a great way to use stickers without your child connecting them to a reward based behavior system. While there are lots of wonderful stickers out there, the best (and often least expensive) stickers are the label and nametag blank stickers found in the office supply isle. By purchasing these your child can paint, color, and use glue and a bag of glitter to create their very own stickers. Also, unlike many of the fancy stickers designed to give to children office supply labels don't have an outline of sticker around them making it easier for your child to peel their newly created sticker from the slightly larger wax paper backing.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Montessori Mondays - The Summer Months
Many schools are finishing up the year in the next few weeks and if you choose to keep your child at home for the summer break you may be wondering what/if you should do any education at home. Just having finished a series of posts breaking down Barbara Hacker's 101 Ways To Help a Montessori Child, my first suggestion would be her last, "Enjoy life together." If you do have the luxury of spending some time with your child, seize it! There are lots of work books you can find in bookstores to prepare your child for the upcoming school year, but these warm months are perfect for you and your child to discover nature and grow a strong relationship with each other as well as with the community in your area at large. Being in a classroom environment has begun to teach your child social skills with others in his age group, but if you take a trip out to the park, volunteer at a food bank, or go to the zoo your child will learn how to interact with older children as well as adults that they don't come into contact everyday. The summer months are also great for toddlers to just run, climb, and jump to their heart's content honing those gross motor skills all the while.
My second suggestion is to carry some shell of your child's routine at school into his daily time at home - meaning try to keep meals and naps regular. As far as works, I would talk to your child's teacher about any interests or materials that your child is drawn to, especially simple, practical life activities that your child can do at home. If you child can talk, ask him what he enjoys at school and then see if it is possible to find similar materials to fulfill that sensitive period in your child's learning. Otherwise, let learning be an impromptu experience guided by daily activities with your child. If you find something that you really want to show and share with your child, go for it because your enthusiasm will likely rub off, but don't force an activity that at that moment you nor your child is curious about.
Lastly, I would recommend, if you have some moments, to delve further into articles and research out there about the Montessori method and what to expect in the upcoming school year if your child will be transitioning to a primary classroom. This way, you will be able to talk with your child over the summer about the new environment and expectations that he will have when school starts again. If he will be returning to the same school, be sure to also mention the familiar faces he will see. If you don't know where to start, browse through some of my past Monday and Friday posts for some resources about Montessori and talk to your child's teacher.
My second suggestion is to carry some shell of your child's routine at school into his daily time at home - meaning try to keep meals and naps regular. As far as works, I would talk to your child's teacher about any interests or materials that your child is drawn to, especially simple, practical life activities that your child can do at home. If you child can talk, ask him what he enjoys at school and then see if it is possible to find similar materials to fulfill that sensitive period in your child's learning. Otherwise, let learning be an impromptu experience guided by daily activities with your child. If you find something that you really want to show and share with your child, go for it because your enthusiasm will likely rub off, but don't force an activity that at that moment you nor your child is curious about.
Lastly, I would recommend, if you have some moments, to delve further into articles and research out there about the Montessori method and what to expect in the upcoming school year if your child will be transitioning to a primary classroom. This way, you will be able to talk with your child over the summer about the new environment and expectations that he will have when school starts again. If he will be returning to the same school, be sure to also mention the familiar faces he will see. If you don't know where to start, browse through some of my past Monday and Friday posts for some resources about Montessori and talk to your child's teacher.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Friday Notables - Healthy Lunch Maker
Today's Friday Notable comes from Parenting.com. While browsing Parenting's countless articles and tips for parents and parents to be I stumbled upon this very visual lunch calculator that is perfect if you want to have your child begin to grasp the idea of nutrition. Right away, I will say there are much more complex and varied meal calculators available online, but this one is kid friendly. The images for each item are prominent and clear so your child should be able to point to a picture or say its name so you can click and add it to his virtual lunch. At first your child may want to add lots of juice, cheese, milk, and cookies just because he sees the images, but this gives you a perfect opportunity to talk about the nutritional values that come with the food we eat when the lunch maker totals the numbers for your child's choices. After you have created a great virtual lunch, your child can help pack that lunch for the next day using the pictures as a step by step visual of what you need. The calculator is designed for ages 3 to 11, but choosing age 3 gives choices that would likely be available to toddlers. The calculator is also limited to creating sandwiches along with choosing a drink and snack, but there are lots of choices as far as meats, breads, veggies, and condiments that allow you to create many variations on a healthy lunch. This is definitely a tool worth checking out at least once, for yourself if nothing else, to see what kind of nutrition your child is getting from his lunch. Click the link to visit Parenting's lunch maker and have a great weekend.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Midweek Creations - Ice Cube Painting
Summer crafts and activities are here. This is a fun, new way for your little toddler to experience painting and comes chalk full of opportunities to learn about solids and liquids, the sensation of cold, and color mixing. Try not to prompt too many conversations during the activity as it is initially a very engrossing experience. Instead, let their remarks and questions lead the learning moments in true Montessori fashion. There are lots of variations you can add to this activity as far as colors and "paint" options. I recommend using kool-aid or jello packets to make the colored ice as they will be safe if your child tries to eat their ice cube. I also like using paper dixie cups to make the ice cubes because they are easier for your child to manipulate if you want to have them help mix multiple colored ice cubes for water. Enjoy!
What you'll need:
paper dixie cups (or ice cube tray)
small pitcher of water
one or two different colored kool-aid packets (primary colors are best for the toddlers if you want to focus on color mixing)
spoon
small meatloaf pan
white construction paper cut in half
freezer
Have your child fill several dixie cups half full with water. Pour a small amount of kool-aid into each cup and stir until dissolved. Put the cups in the freezer until they are solid (usually about 3-4 hours). When you are ready to paint, take one of the paper halves and put it in the bottom of the meatloaf pan. Take one of the frozen dixie cups and unpeel the paper from the newly formed ice cube. Place it in the middle of meatloaf pan and show your child how to tilt the pan so that the ice will slide and paint the paper as it melts. Switch or add a different colored ice cube after some time. Once your child is finished, let their new artwork dry and have them help wash the meatloaf pan.
What you'll need:
paper dixie cups (or ice cube tray)
small pitcher of water
one or two different colored kool-aid packets (primary colors are best for the toddlers if you want to focus on color mixing)
spoon
small meatloaf pan
white construction paper cut in half
freezer
Have your child fill several dixie cups half full with water. Pour a small amount of kool-aid into each cup and stir until dissolved. Put the cups in the freezer until they are solid (usually about 3-4 hours). When you are ready to paint, take one of the paper halves and put it in the bottom of the meatloaf pan. Take one of the frozen dixie cups and unpeel the paper from the newly formed ice cube. Place it in the middle of meatloaf pan and show your child how to tilt the pan so that the ice will slide and paint the paper as it melts. Switch or add a different colored ice cube after some time. Once your child is finished, let their new artwork dry and have them help wash the meatloaf pan.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Montessori Mondays - 91 to 101 of 101
We finally made it to the end of Barbara Hackers 101 Way to Help a Montessori Child. Enjoy the last few of her wonderful tips.
91. Tell them what you value in them. Let them hear you express what you value in others.
92. Always tell the truth.
93. Go to the beach and play in the sand.
94. Ride the bus; take a train -- at least once.
95. Watch a sunrise. Watch a sunset.
96. Share appropriate "news" from the newspaper: new dinosaur was discovered; a baby elephant born at the zoo; a child honored for bravery; the weather forecast.
97. Evaluate your child's hairstyle. Is it neat and not a distraction or is it always in the child's eyes, falling out of headbands, etc.?
98. Let your child help wash the car and learn vocabulary of the parts of the car. With this and other tasks take time to focus on the process for the child more than the end product.
99. Talk about right, left, straight, turn, north, south, east, west, in a natural way so your child develops a sense of direction and means to talk about it.
100. Place a small pitcher of water or juice on a low refrigerator shelf and a glass in a low place so your child can be independent in getting a drink.
101. Enjoy life together!
91. Tell them what you value in them. Let them hear you express what you value in others.
92. Always tell the truth.
93. Go to the beach and play in the sand.
94. Ride the bus; take a train -- at least once.
95. Watch a sunrise. Watch a sunset.
96. Share appropriate "news" from the newspaper: new dinosaur was discovered; a baby elephant born at the zoo; a child honored for bravery; the weather forecast.
97. Evaluate your child's hairstyle. Is it neat and not a distraction or is it always in the child's eyes, falling out of headbands, etc.?
98. Let your child help wash the car and learn vocabulary of the parts of the car. With this and other tasks take time to focus on the process for the child more than the end product.
99. Talk about right, left, straight, turn, north, south, east, west, in a natural way so your child develops a sense of direction and means to talk about it.
100. Place a small pitcher of water or juice on a low refrigerator shelf and a glass in a low place so your child can be independent in getting a drink.
101. Enjoy life together!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday Notables - Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane
This week's Friday notable corresponds with the midweek creation for this week. Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane by Laura Gates Galvin is a beautifully illustrated book that goes into great detail about the life of a queen bumblebee and this is a book that will grow with your child. A young toddler will be fascinated with the realistic images of bumblebees and flowers and will be able to absorb more of the facts about the bumblebees as they enter elementary school. One review of the book says this book even contains relevant information for middle school science studies on the world of insects. Since this book only comes in paperback, stress the importance of care when reading this book.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Midweek Creations - Egg Carton Bumblebee
Summer weather is well on its way this year and all the flying and crawling creatures are out in full swing. Many children are fascinated by bumblebees, but may not yet understand their importance in the growth of plants and flowers and the possible danger of being stung. I highly recommend checking out some books in the library - if there are no toddler bumblebee books look in the nonfiction children's section and just be extra careful so there are no torn pages. Once you have poured over the pages of your book, try this craft. There may be more dots than stripes on the bumble bee in the end, but it is more about the process and experience of creating for younger toddlers than the finished result. Enjoy!
What you'll need:
black and yellow paint
paintbrush
wax paper
crayons
glue
egg carton
scissors
marker
Cut out 2 adjoining indentions in the egg carton holder and let your child paint them with yellow paint. Set aside the cartons to dry and trace your child's feet with wax paper and cut out the tracings. Have your child color the remaining pieces of wax paper with black or brown crayons. Once the yellow paint has dried, show your child how to paint stripes on the egg cartons with the black paint. You can then cut out two small, long rectangles out of the leftover colored wax paper and have your child help roll them into small cylinders for the antenna. Once everything is dry, glue the feet in the middle for wings, the 2 cylinders on the head as antenna, and draw two eyes on the front of the carton.
What you'll need:
black and yellow paint
paintbrush
wax paper
crayons
glue
egg carton
scissors
marker
Cut out 2 adjoining indentions in the egg carton holder and let your child paint them with yellow paint. Set aside the cartons to dry and trace your child's feet with wax paper and cut out the tracings. Have your child color the remaining pieces of wax paper with black or brown crayons. Once the yellow paint has dried, show your child how to paint stripes on the egg cartons with the black paint. You can then cut out two small, long rectangles out of the leftover colored wax paper and have your child help roll them into small cylinders for the antenna. Once everything is dry, glue the feet in the middle for wings, the 2 cylinders on the head as antenna, and draw two eyes on the front of the carton.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Montessori Mondays - 81 to 90 of 101
Here is the next section of Barbara Hacker's 101 Ways To Help a Montessori Child. Like before, I have put the main part of each point in bold. Enjoy!
81. Teach your child his/her birthday.
82. Read the notes that are sent home from school.
83. Alert the teacher to anything that may be affecting your child -- lack of sleep, exposure to a flight, moving, relative visiting in home, parent out of town, etc.
84. Provide a place to just dig. Allow your child to get totally dirty sometimes without inhibitions.
85. Refrain from offering material awards or even excessive praise. Let the experience of accomplishment be its own reward.
86. Don't speak for your child to others. Give the space for the child to speak for himself/herself, and if he/she doesn't it's okay.
87. Apologize to your child when you've made a mistake.
88. Understand what Montessori meant by sensitive periods. Know when your child is in one and utilize it.
89. Learn to wait. Some things people want to give their children or do with them are more appropriate at a later age. Be patient, the optimal time will come. Stay focused on where they are right now.
90. Play ball together: moms and dads, boys and girls.
81. Teach your child his/her birthday.
82. Read the notes that are sent home from school.
83. Alert the teacher to anything that may be affecting your child -- lack of sleep, exposure to a flight, moving, relative visiting in home, parent out of town, etc.
84. Provide a place to just dig. Allow your child to get totally dirty sometimes without inhibitions.
85. Refrain from offering material awards or even excessive praise. Let the experience of accomplishment be its own reward.
86. Don't speak for your child to others. Give the space for the child to speak for himself/herself, and if he/she doesn't it's okay.
87. Apologize to your child when you've made a mistake.
88. Understand what Montessori meant by sensitive periods. Know when your child is in one and utilize it.
89. Learn to wait. Some things people want to give their children or do with them are more appropriate at a later age. Be patient, the optimal time will come. Stay focused on where they are right now.
90. Play ball together: moms and dads, boys and girls.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Belated Friday Notable - Top Mommy Blogs
Although I missed yesterday's post, I still wanted to offer a recommendation for a great place to start if you are looking for other blogs to follow. Topmommyblogs.com is a free blog directory and presents the highest ranking blogs voted on by readers and visitors in a very clean, concise format. In other words, the site isn't overpowered by lots of sponsor advertisements and the top ranking sites are listed in numerical order with a picture, brief description, number of votes and visits, as well as what category the blogs belong too. The category list is long, but not overwhelming, including topics of adoption, home schooling, politics, religion and spirituality, contests and giveaways, and eco-friendly. If you click on a category, the site will adjust the rankings to those sites just in your category. Another minor perk, if you do decide to check out a blog it is opened in a new tab or window, taking away the hassle of always hitting the back button to go back to the rankings. Click here to check out the site and have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Midweek Creations - Textured Mother's Day Card
Today's midweek creation is a card for mom that is great for talking about textures. Later you can sit down with your child and trace the raised letters "m" "o" "m" preparing them for reading and writing later on. Enjoy!
What you'll need:
Heavy construction paper
rice, small beans, or small shaped pasta (elbow or small shell pasta works best)
glue
plastic bag (optional)
Write out "mom" with glue on a piece of construction paper folded in half. You can also draw a heart around the word if you would like. Choose a few beans, rice, or pasta and show your child how to carefully place them over the glue. Once your child begins to engage in the activity let them take over the work staying close just in case they need help. Once done, let the card dry and then write a message inside. Another nice touch to add is cover your child's hand in a small amount of glue and place it on the inside of the card. Put the card inside a bag of rice (you can have your child help you scoop some rice into the bag) and have your child shake it gently. After the inside dries, you will have a nice, raised image of your child's hand - a perfect signature for little hands that can't write just yet.
What you'll need:
Heavy construction paper
rice, small beans, or small shaped pasta (elbow or small shell pasta works best)
glue
plastic bag (optional)
Write out "mom" with glue on a piece of construction paper folded in half. You can also draw a heart around the word if you would like. Choose a few beans, rice, or pasta and show your child how to carefully place them over the glue. Once your child begins to engage in the activity let them take over the work staying close just in case they need help. Once done, let the card dry and then write a message inside. Another nice touch to add is cover your child's hand in a small amount of glue and place it on the inside of the card. Put the card inside a bag of rice (you can have your child help you scoop some rice into the bag) and have your child shake it gently. After the inside dries, you will have a nice, raised image of your child's hand - a perfect signature for little hands that can't write just yet.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Montessori Mondays - 71 to 80 of 101
Here is the next section of Barbara Hacker's 101 Ways To Help a Montessori Child. Enjoy!
71. Help them become aware of sounds in words. Play games: what starts with "mmmm?" "what ends with 't'?"
72. Organize the child's things in appropriate containers and on low shelves.
73. Aid the child in absorbing a sense of beauty: expose him/her to flowers, woods, and natural materials, and avoid plastic.
74. Help your child start a collection of something interesting.
75. Talk about the colors (don't forget shades), textures, and shapes you see around you.
76. Provide art materials paper, appropriate aprons, and mats to define the work space. Provide tools for cleaning up.
77. Evaluate each of your child's toys. Does it help him/her learn something? Does the child use it? Does it "work," and are all pieces present? Is it safe?
78. Refrain from doing for a child what he/she can do for himself/herself.
79. Provide opportunities for physical activity -- running, hopping, skipping, climbing. Teach them how. Go to a playground if necessary.
80. Teach children how to be still and make "silence." Do it together. Children love to be in a meditative space if given toe opportunity.
71. Help them become aware of sounds in words. Play games: what starts with "mmmm?" "what ends with 't'?"
72. Organize the child's things in appropriate containers and on low shelves.
73. Aid the child in absorbing a sense of beauty: expose him/her to flowers, woods, and natural materials, and avoid plastic.
74. Help your child start a collection of something interesting.
75. Talk about the colors (don't forget shades), textures, and shapes you see around you.
76. Provide art materials paper, appropriate aprons, and mats to define the work space. Provide tools for cleaning up.
77. Evaluate each of your child's toys. Does it help him/her learn something? Does the child use it? Does it "work," and are all pieces present? Is it safe?
78. Refrain from doing for a child what he/she can do for himself/herself.
79. Provide opportunities for physical activity -- running, hopping, skipping, climbing. Teach them how. Go to a playground if necessary.
80. Teach children how to be still and make "silence." Do it together. Children love to be in a meditative space if given toe opportunity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)