October 27th Report

We did about 45 minutes of Montessori time today.

Started with the color tablets. He needs a new presentation. I gave him as much of one as he would watch today before he took over. We didn't do any language on this activity today.



While using the color tablets, he threw them to me several times. I debated in my head which strategy to take on discouraging this. I think I used several. Once I told him we could throw balls, but we need to treat our toys gently. Once I told him it made me sad to have things thrown at me. And once I merely made a mental note that perhaps I needed to model the correct behavior for him.

Within the thought that I could model for him, I thought of two things. One, that I frequently throw things myself--a piece of trash into a trash bin, a sock into a drawer, a shirt into a hamper. And perhaps it'd be better if I didn't. Elijah may or may not be discriminating which items are okay to throw and which are not. So, I will be paying closer attention to this.

The next thing that came to mind in the modelling realm, is that perhaps we could set up a "pass to me" game. This would be easier with more players. A good activity for when Chris is home. Chris and I could start by asking to "please pass me ___" and then gently handing the object to the other using two hands. We could use the Montessori equipment both to build language (please pass me the smallest pink cube), and to model respect for these objects. This would be a Montessori grace and courtesy lesson.

Then moved onto what is still his favorite activity--discs in a slot.



Then, we read 4 BOB books.



And, then he got out a ball from the back room (presumably because I mentioned earlier that balls were okay for throwing). We rolled and kicked and caught.












And all of this reminded me that there are some gross motor goals that I stated in the beginning. I thought it might be fun for me to pick some games/sports that develop these skills and work that into our weekly plan. We could walk to the park and use the soccer court. I'll be working on that soon!

- Brandy

October 24th Report

We started of with a little reading. He wanted BOB books.






We really only read about one and a half and then Elijah really wanted to build a tower with the books. I told him I knew of something better to build a tower with, but first we needed to put the books away. He happily did this with me.






We got out the pink tower which he built a stair out of first. Then got the brown stair out as well...





And began some experiments.




We also did a little bit of language naming. I did the first step in the 3 period lesson (naming) for "big", "small", "biggest", "smallest", and "thickest", "thinnest".

Then, Elijah wanted to play with rings on a stand. He did not want to put the pink tower or brown stair away (and did say that he was done with them). I said, "I'll put them away this time, perhaps you'll put them away next time".




I was happy he picked the rings on a stand because it will help him with his fine motor skills--some thing that's been bothering him we he finds a fine motor activity too difficult. So, I was happy to see him choose something less challenging, but still helpful for him developmentally.

After that, he chose the discs in a slot activity.





And then an activity that isn't a traditional Montessori activity, but I think is helpful for his fine motor skill.











He said several times, "this is easier" happily. I think this is excellent preparation for the pink tower and brown stair--activities that frequently frustrate him. He wants to line them up perfectly, but finds the task difficult. This activity seems to take the pressure off. Elijah said he was building a "water pipe".

Next, we played with the number cards. I finally found a decent way to play this game. We used only the 1, 2, and 3 cards. I turned one of each up. He can pick one card from a pile (or, alternately, I can hand him a card), the just picked card gets named. "Its a one." Then, Elijah looks for the matching 1. He piles them together. After we play this game a few more times, I plan to use the 3 period lesson, and then slowly add more numbers. I'm happy with this simple home-made game.






At last, Elijah played with two of the cylinder blocks.









Pottying has gone pretty well today. Putting his own activities away is still a work in progress.

- Brandy

October 23rd Report

Elijah woke up late today. We really only had about 45 minutes between breakfast/getting ready for the day and lunch time...but we did make the most of it.

I first showed him the new coin sorting activity.


I gave a short demonstration, but he was most interested in pouring. We did get a little language in there (the words: "coins", "penny(ies)", quarter(s)").



He kept putting the coins in the slot in the table, but they were getting into the space between the floor and the fireplace or rolling under the couch. I suggested we bring the disc in a slot activity into the mix.



Then, he had a pee pee accident. We cleaned up and then worked on the brown stair.


He wanted to add the pink tower, too.



Right after this picture, Elijah exclaimed, "I'm mad!", grabbed his baby doll and went to the other side of the room. Once he cooled off, I showed him how to flatten the mat out (he explained that was what was bothering him). The mat got squished up again and he had a similar reaction and did not want to play with the brown stair or pink tower anymore. I asked if he'd like to help put them away. He did not, so I did. When I was done, I joined him on the couch where he was ready to read his BOB books.


We read 3 books (1 of them twice). Then he wanted lunch, so we rapped up.

Well, the rest of the day was rough and we didn't really get a whole lot else done.

- Brandy

October 22nd Report

We've been busy, and haven't been quite as intentional about Montessori time as I had planned, but we have done a little over the past week--here and there.



















Today, we got to be a bit more intentional, though, and we went for a nature walk -






We collected leaves, acorn pieces, and sticks. And saw ants and wasps.



Plus, we spent 2 FULL hours on inside Montessori time. First, the fabric swatches -



He will need a new presentation next time. As a note, he found the matching very easy, but the placing of the swatches very difficult. This activity is more of a fine motor work for him than a sensorial one.

He brought out the discs in a slot with 10 quarters....and gave me some ideas for future homemade math works.






As always with the quarters we did a lot of counting repitition.

Next, he worked with his new flower card gluing activity (a practical life work).




He packed this one away by himself, but I put it on the shelf.

Next, Elijah wanted to read the Bob books, pre-reading series 1. (pre-reading series 2 may be something to ask for for birthday or Christmas).




We spent almost a full hour and read 11 of the 12 books. He's really into these right now.

Last, we played a number memory game.




But, I think I jumped the gun on this and made the game way too difficult. But I have an idea for next time.

- Brandy

October 15th Report

We started late tonight (after dinner) and only did about 40 minutes of Montessori time. But the timing seemed nice, actually. Elijah was quite excited to play games with mommy and was very engaged...until he needed to poop.

We started with "chalkboard games". I wrote the number "1" and he drew little lines on it. Later, I drew it again and asked if he wanted to write it too.







He got bored of that quickly, so I asked if he'd like to play a new game. I asked him to close his eyes and I'd write a number. He'd open and then guess.



He enjoyed the game, but really doesn't know his numbers yet. This will be more fun when he has a better grasp on the numbers.

Next, I asked him to tell me what number to write. He said a number, I drew it, and he erased it. Repeat. Sometimes he'd say several numbers and I'd write them all. He seemed intrigued at the similarities between a "3" and an "8".



Then, he moved onto the imbucare box knitted ball. This material is a toddler Montessori work designed to give the child an experience putting objects into holes and to develop hand-eye coordination. This is possibly the least challenging material available on his shelf. He doesn't pick it often and I suspect he did tonight because he was trying to not poop. He did eventually make it to the potty, and afterwards we got ready for bed.

October 9th Report

Start time: 10 ish

First, I'll note that the transition from tv to Montessori time was rougher than I'd like. I frequently turn the tv on in the morning to let myself have time to get ready for the day. It's even more important now that I (apparently) need oodles of sleep during this pregnancy (because I do less getting ready for the next day the night before, in favor of going to bed early). Anyway, I wanted to note that I'd like this transistion to go smoother. Have ideas?

I started by setting out one of his favorite works-the discs in slot with 10 quarters. Which he so happened to use for an hour!

We started on a mat on the floor with lots of counting.



I noted that 1) if I count with him until 5, he will finish counting to 10 correctly alone (getting 5 after 4 is crucial for this); 2) he doesn't have a deep understanding that these numbers represent quantity, only a memorized sequence of words (I plan to use other materials to help him experience quantity, but it was interesting to note that just counting doesn't constitute all of the information I'd like him to know about the numbers from 1 to 10); 3) he needs more repitition with the word, "quarter". He prefers to call all coins "pennies".

We then moved from the mat to the coffee table. He did not choose to put his mat away or the box (he wanted to play with only the quarters), so I modeled it for him and said cheerfully, "perhaps you'll do it next time".




We also experimented with the different shapes you can make with 10 quarters. He enjoyed the triangle and wanted to make a rainbow and rocket ship also.


After that, he wanted to be a bit more physical with the quarters. We pushed them off the edge of the table, counting each one. Then he put them one by one, or many by many through the slot in the coffee table.




And then, I got sick, and immediately after that Elijah had a large poo poo accident that needed a bubble shower. So, we rapped Montessori time up after the bubble shower and together put away the quarters and the cylinder blocks he had gotten out while I was cleaning the bathroom.

So, we did an hour so far today. All with quarters and focusing on attention span building (1 activity for an hour!), completing the cycle (which he helped with at the very end), and memorizing the sequence of numbers from 1 to 10.

Hopefully we'll get a chance to do some more today. And hopefully I'll get some sleep so I won't have to leave to run to the bathroom...

- Brandy

Daily Goals

I set this up to have accountability for what I do everyday with Elijah.

By the time Elijah starts preschool, I want to reach these goals.

Primary Goals:

Increased attention span

The ability to "work" for a 3 hour work period

Successfully completing the cycle each time (puts items back the way they were found on the shelf)

Love of learning

A working development of fine motor skills

Independent with potty skills

Along the way, I'd love to accomplish some of these goals as well...

Secondary Goals:

Practical Life skills

-saying please and thank you

-playing gently and appropriately with friends

-waiting turns

-watching me do an activity without taking over (when asked to do so)

-expressing emotions in a healthy manner

-hanging up coat

-putting on own coat

-washing hands

-blowing nose

-setting the table

-clearing table

-carrying a plate full of food

-walking on the line

-hopping on two feet

-hopping on one foot

-walking heel to toe (on the line)

-walking on a balance beam

-walking backwards

-pedaling a tricycle

-walking on the line with object in hand

-somersaulting

-kicking a ball

-wiping up spills

-mopping floor

-watering plants

-washing mirror

-washing table

-sweeping floor

-using crumb brush

-cooking: following basic instructions

-measuring liquids

-measuring dry ingredients

-spreading ingredients on rice cakes

-clapping rhythms

-silence game

-improved scissors skills

-gluing

-squeezing the water from a sponge

-dry pouring

-liquid pouring

-using crayons

-using markers

-opening and closing wide variety of jars, boxes, etc.

-operating a clothes pin

-using tongs

-using a dropper

-spooning

-matching and screwing nuts and bolts

-small peg puzzles

-playing with play doh

-pouring liquids with funnel

Sensorial Experiences

-crossing the midline (rings on pegs)

-visual discrimination of dimension (cylinder blocks)

-deeper understanding of dimension (knobless cylinders)

-ability to discriminate color in an organized manner (color box 1 and 2)

-understanding large and small, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (pink tower)

-understanding long and short, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (red rods)

-understanding thick and thin, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (brown stair)

-understanding hot and cold, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (through real life activities)

-matching textures (fabric basket)

-object permanence (ball box and discs in slot)

-rough and smooth, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (sensitizing fingertips, touch boards, touch tablets)

-loud and soft, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (sound cylinders)

-more acute discrimination of sound (sound cylinders)

-discrimination of pitch (online montessori bells)

-refinement of olfactory sense (smelling cylinders)

-refinement of gustatory sense (tasting bottles)

-sweet, salty, bitter, and sour (tasting bottles)

-soft and hard, and the positives, comparatives, and superlatives (with objects to be determined...possibly homemade, or just relying on everyday experiences)

Language

-naming objects

-increased vocabulary (reading, experiencing, matching object to object, then object to picture, then picture to picture)

-knows full name

-knows primary and secondary colors (color boxes)

-knows shapes (puzzles)

-knows some or all letter sounds (sandpaper letters, letter puzzle)

Mathematics

-counting 1 to 10 (counting objects, discs in slot)

-visual recognition of number symbols (magnetic numbers, number puzzle)

-experience quantities of numbers (number rods)

-1:1 correspondence (spindle boxes)

-concept of zero (jumping game)

-numbers as quantities (cards and counters)

-even and odd (number rods, cards and counters)