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.