Tag: Hands-on learning

Toddler Art Activities Offer Practical Life and Sensory Learning

Posted: November 9, 2020

Because children are naturally drawn to hands-on exploration, art activities can be especially attractive to the toddler. This attraction encourages the gathering of important information through touch. As Dr. Montessori discovered, “The human hand allows the mind to reveal itself.” Toddler Art Benefits The benefits of learning through art are many. To begin with, art

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Art for toddlers, Early art, Gaining toddler skills, Grandparenting, Hands-on learning, Montessori at Home, Montessori grandparent, montessori home, observations, Practical life skills, Sensory learning, Toddler art, Toddler skills

Toddler Painting Activities Offer Layers of Valuable Learning

By Julie Mitaro

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

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

Who Let the (Now Dirty) Dog Out?

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: December 14, 2018

Always grateful for the sharing of ideas, an Instagram post @monti.day.by.day inspired our dog figurine washing activity. When they are visiting us, I offer our grandchildren and young friends opportunities to help care for our family dog. They can feed her, fill her water bowl and help to walk her on her leash. Before long,

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Category: blog

Tags: Hands-on learning, Kids activity, Montessori activity, Montessori at Home, Montessori inspired, Montessori learning, Problem solving skills, Sense of Order

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

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

Practical Life and Caring for Plants

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: August 29, 2018

Caring for plants, both indoors and outdoors, is part of our daily practical life routine at home. Our sunny and warm climate means our plants require watering, trimming and attention frequently. Watering Tools Are Always Handy and Support Growth 🌱 We always keep a watering can and mister handy. As important as it is for

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Category: blog, Montessori Activities at Home

Tags: Hands-on learning, Kids and nature, Montessori, Montessori at Home, Montessori garden, Montessori garden ideas, Montessori learning, Outdoor classroom, Plant care, Practical life, Practical life skills, Sensory learning

The Child’s First and Greatest Teacher: The Hand

By Julie Mitaro

Posted: April 23, 2017

“He does it with his hands, by experience, first in play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence. “ — Maria Montessori As parents, milestone expectations are common concerns as children grow and develop. Within a relatively short time, helpless newborns gain control of their bodies and movements. Before long,

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Category: blog

Tags: Hands-on learning, Impressions, Montessori, Montessori activities, Montessori at Home, Montessori learning, Neural pathways, Prepared environment, Sensorial, Sensorial experience