Montessori Play!

Now Olive is a toddler, I have been able to start implementing many educational strategies into our every day lives. The older she gets the more enjoyment she receives from doing every day things. Everything is new to her, even something as simple as turning in a circle sent her into fits of giggles yesterday. So jumping on this burst of enthusiasm for learning I have been researching different alternative ways to enjoy learning together. 

Montessori is wonderful. I have become more and more interested in the Montessori method, since I first thought about having children until now.  It originated in Italy in 1906 when Dr Maria Montessori was invited to create a program for under privileged very young children. She created ways to teach them that were hands on using puzzles and every day tasks. It worked so well that it created a moment that is still going strong today. 

To pair it back to the very basic principles, Montessori is about respect for the child, a prepared space and independence. This creates self motivated growth and child based learning. The child is presented with working everyday objects that are their size, they can choose what they are interested in and with guidance from teachers and peers that can learn to accomplish the task at hand. It takes into account different learning styles and personalities.   

When you apply this to a toddler, like I have, they learn so quickly! It is really enjoyable, for them and you. The first thing I did when setting up activities was to make her space nice and calm and free of distractions. I tidied up, put away her toys and had her sit at her table. The first activity was very simple. I gave Olive a little wooden box, inside was a wooden duck. She opened the box, took the duck out and then put the duck back and put the lid back on the box. Done! It sounds too easy, but she is learning hand eye coordination and how to put things back together after taking them apart. The second activity was simply pouring water. I presented Olive with a jug and a cup. I showed her how to pour the water into the cup and then back again. after a few tries she could pour it herself with relative ease. Soon she will be pouring her own drinks I'm sure! 

What I have learned is that it is important to start off small and simple with toddler activities. Here are some fun examples:

1. using tongs to move pompoms from one cup to another.

2. taking cards out of a wallet (she has a designated wallet with expired cards)

3. winding string around a peg.

4. drawing with chalk on a board.

5. "painting" with water on a wall.

I am hoping that in the future we will be able to do every day tasks together like, cleaning up, laundry, watering the garden and putting away toys.  I am planning on setting up a semi functional kitchen for her to do activities with. Stay tuned for updates!

I am in no way strictly sticking to the Montessori method, I really enjoy a lot of aspects of Waldorf play too, (which I will talk about soon in another blog) but so far it is working for us! This is just a drop in the ocean of what Montessori has to offer, so hopefully I can write lots more about this subject as Olive grows and I educate myself further.