Tag: Early learning

Toddler Painting Activities Offer Layers of Valuable Learning

Posted: October 25, 2020

Toddler painting is layered with practical life learning experiences and more! When an invitation to paint is offered to the toddler, it is almost always received with great enthusiasm. And as an activity, it becomes a great opportunity for layers of learning. With a little advance thought, painting as an activity can include practical life, sensorial, language,

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Activities for grandchildren, Art for kids, Balance, Concentration, Confidence, Early learning, Eye-hand coordination, Focus, Grandparenting, Hands-on learning, Innate development, Montessori at Home, Montessori grandparent, Painting with toddlers, Process not prduct, The Prepared Nest, Toddler activity, Toddler art, Toddler art activity

Simple Letter Learning Game, “I Spy with My Little Eye…”

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: April 11, 2019

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” Fred Rogers Outdoor play time is an important part of each day. Here in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the weather in April typically means we can spend more of our day outside playing and learning. Lucky for us, there is no better classroom for

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Early learning, Fun with sounds, Language building, Learning letter sounds, letter sound learning, Montessori activity, Montessori at Home, Montessori inspired, Nature's classroom, Outside play, phonetic sound activity, Play

Introducing Music Skills to the Child 👉🏼 Benefits for Life

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: March 11, 2019

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” Plato The Benefits of Music 🎶 Maria Montessori observed that the child’s sensitive period for music takes place between the ages of two and six years. During this period, the

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Category: blog

Tags: Child development, Early learning, Kids songs, Montessori at Home, Montessori inspired, Music choices, Music for kids, Sensitive period for music, Sensorial experience, Sensory learning, Wiring brain

The Child’s Need for Order—Exactly as It Should Be

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: February 23, 2019

In their first six years of life, the child will pass through stages of development called “sensitive periods”. During these stages of development, and supported by their absorbent mind, the child is ready to master specific skills effortlessly. Dr. Montessori’s observations revealed these sensitive periods; they involve movement, mathematics, refinement of the senses, social skills,

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Category: blog

Tags: Child development, Early learning, Montessori at Home, Order, Routine, Self-Construction, Sense of Order, Sensitive Periods, Window of Opportunity

Strolling and Soaking Up “The Things They See … “

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: February 20, 2019

The Prepared Stroller Although nature always provides plenty of sights and sounds, to be fully prepared for a walk with a five-month-old, I also packed up and placed a few hands-on infant toys in our stroller. At this stage of development, visual and auditory skills are still refining and the ’absorbent mind’ has many sensory

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Absorbent mind, all that she sees, Baby, Early learning, Education from birth, Hands-on learning, Infant, Montessori at Home, Montessori baby, Montessori baby toys, Montessori inspired, observations, sensorial discoveries, Sensory experience, Sensory learning, Sensory walk, strolling

Prepared In The Kitchen for Practical Life

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: February 7, 2019

“He who is served is limited in his independence.” Dr. Maria Montessori When our grandchildren or young friends visit, I add a ‘Practical Life’ shelf to our kitchen. A home environment that serves the child is critical for their optimal development and independence. My work with children in our home has confirmed its importance. Especially

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Category: blog

Tags: Confidence, Early learning, Fine motor skills, fostering independence, Gross motor skills, Independence, Montessori, Montessori at Home, Montessori practical life, Practical life skills

See Skills ‘Stack Up’ In a Prepared Environment

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: December 9, 2018

Who would believe a simple stacking toy could provide so many benefits? This favorite and go-to toy of many of our young family and friends fully engages their senses during hands-on play. And once the exploration begins, it’s time to sit back and watch as their skills stack up! “Praise, help, or even a look,

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Category: blog

Tags: Child's play, Color recognition, Concentration, Creative play, Early learning, Eye-hand coordination, Fine motor skills, Gross motor skills, Hands-on learning, Learning development, Midline crossing, Montessori at Home, Problem solving skills, Reasoning skills, Spatial perception, Visual discrimination, Wiring brain

Discovering the Depths of the Learning:🤿 Exploring Sea Life 🐠

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: December 4, 2018

“These lessons, exact and fascinating, given in an intimate way to each child separately, are the teacher’s offering to the depths of the child’s soul.” Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind Because the child is a natural observer and imitator, they strive to do exactly as we do. After all, they are innately working toward independence.

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Category: blog

Tags: Early learning, Montessori at Home, Montessori inspired activity, Montessori learning, Repetition, Sea life activity

Sweet Sensorial Treasures Can Be Found Peeling a Clementine

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: October 29, 2018

Simple as it may seem, peeling a clementine is a rewarding activity for any child. As a matter of fact, I’d consider it to be a sensorial treasure packed with rich language learning, fine motor and cognitive skill building opportunities! After offering him the bowl filled with clementines, he chose the one he wanted to

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Early learning, fostering independence, Hands-on learning, Montessori, Montessori activity, Montessori at Home, Montessori kitchen activities, Montessori practical life, Sensorial, Sensorial experience

When One Door Closes, Show the Child How to Open It

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: September 17, 2018

Young children are naturally attracted to things that open and close; and this is especially true when it comes to doors, doorknobs and handles. When this profound interest happens, it will likely continue until the child’s need is satisfied. A Doorknob Offers Hands-on Learning and Fosters Development The knob in his hand is yet another material

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Closing doors, Early learning, Hands-on learning, Montessori, Montessori activity, Montessori at Home, Montessori house, Montessori learning, Montessori practical life materials, Practical life skill