“Order is one of the needs of life which, when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness.” ~ Maria Montessori* Beyond creating beautiful aesthetics, a prepared play space contains specific toys and materials that meet the child’s developmental abilities. Attractive and edited toy shelves and baskets along with open floor spaces can make movement, play
Continue Reading “The Need for Play Space Order and Boundaries”
Toddlers work unconsciously to refine their senses each day. Most toddlers love outdoor exploring and walking often leads to great sensorial learning. The opportunities for sensorial experiences during a walk are abundant; e.g., “The gate is smooth. Would you like to touch it?” After asking, I guided him to the bricks on a side wall
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” Fred Rogers Outdoor play time is an important part of our day. Here in the South Carolina Lowcountry, the weather in April typically means we spend more of our day outside playing and learning. Lucky for us, there is no better classroom for children
“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 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 child is most sensitive to
It’s hard to imagine a day without including a little fresh air time here in our southern climate. It happened to be a beautiful day and so we were heading out on a long walk. I made sure to bring a few sensorial toys for her to hold and taste along the way. Although nature
Always grateful for the sharing of ideas, an Instagram post @monti.day.by.day inspired our dog figurine washing activity. Each day, I’ve offered the children I work with opportunities to help care for our family dog. Meanwhile, they can feed her, fill her water bowl and help to walk her on her leash. But before long, they
After learning about a neighbor’s recent foot injury, we decided to make blueberry cookies for her. Knowing how he loves making (and eating) cookies, I suggested he could take some to his family too. After all, there would be plenty! “Yes!!” Indeed, his heart was all in! Now that he’s three years old, I felt
Continue Reading “C is for Cookies—and Caring and Concern for Others”
This past spring, I was contacted by Baan Dek Montessori school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and invited to participate in their Spotlight Series (link below in green font). Surprisingly, I first discovered Baan Dek’s logo on a creative branding site called Fuzzco (a local Charleston, SC creative studio). I was intrigued and soon began
