Montessori Nature's Smile

We all would like to see our children flourish: be happy, independent, confident and compassionate. We also realise, as parents, that we can not full relay on childcares, schools, Sunday Schools at Church to do the job for us. There are so many ways to establish and lay foundation for our children to be all we desire them to be to succeed in life. It begins very early in life: with newborns it is as simple (or as hard) as picking child up when they are crying at any time of day and night. These are simple things that can be very hard to do but will pay of in future. Let me share with you today what I found to be effective at home - activities that are easy to make, and ideas that can help you to guide your child's development.

•  My toddler is 16 months old. Now she is getting into a stage when she actively seeks engagement in everyday chores and has burning desire to do things on her own: brushing her hear, putting on her socks, shoes and feeding herself with a spoon. It took me all the self restraining power in the world not to feed her. She insisted on feeding herself. At the beginning she would get very little food and would stop eating out of frustration. However, now it is so easy for both of us - she can feed herself easily using spoon and I can eat at the same time. One day when I was hanging her nappies she walked to the basket and started passing me them. Now every time when we hang wet clothes, I ask her to help me. Most of the times it does not last long but it is not important. She is exercising her independence, which promotes her freedom and helps to build strong self esteem. Also, when I wipe her table or wash the floor I give her a cloth as well to do the same. She takes so much pride in it. This also challenges her coordination.

• Self care is one of the basics skills that should be taught early on in life. Child who can take care of themselves will be confident knowing that they have freedom and can take control. To help my little bean with it I freed lowest drawer in her drawer chest, which she can access easily. Every morning I try to prepare two sets of clothes for her to choose to wear that day. She also has a basket with a fresh nappy, hair brush and a wash cloth available for her to use. The idea is to encourage her to learn when to use those things and help her to do it herself. Everything I described above, will take a while - probably a month to establish the routine, but I felt that she is ready for it and it is the next step towards her independence.

• Different boxes, purses, wallets are a great way to introduce different colours, textures, patters and let your child to manipulate objects with huge interest. It is also interesting because it is something we see in our everyday life and is very practical. To add a surprise effect you can place some toy or beautiful object inside. This also helps to build hand-eye coordination.

• This is another way to teach colours, introduce different materials and sounds. These can be used to play games, like 'hide and seek' or for teaching parts of the body language by placing objects on the head, shoulders, elbow, etc.

• Another activity for developing sensory skills: a red box (can be yellow, blue, est.) with red things I could find around the place. To make it more interesting you can extend this activity, for example, build something using these materials, or take photos of it, print them and play matching game: match toy to the picture. The purpose is to develop problem solving,  language skills and imagination.

• This is just a sensory play with rose petals that I was about to throw away, but it turned out to be a pleasant activity. 

• Transferring game: step by step you can start teaching how to transfer things - skills that will be used later on in life, like in cooking, for example. This is a basic activity with  measuring cups and a block.

• Colour matching game. Four colour paper laminated sheets with signs + four parts from a pinning activity.

And most importantly remember to read tons of books and just have fun with your kid: roll around on the ground, get down on their level and enjoy your bundle of joy!

Check out more fun activities for Toddlers here.

For more ideas please visit my Facebook page.

Would love to hear your ideas and what are your favourite games to play!

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Need more information  on how to raise your child Montessori way?? Check out these wonderful books:

Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child by Maja Pitamic

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