For My Lego-loving Boys

Free LEGO Printables and 70+ LEGO Learning Activities @

http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/06/20/free-lego-printables-and-70-plus-lego-learning-activities/

Maths: Numbers & Numerals

M1 knows about his numbers since he was 2 but I'm just making sure that he didn't missed steps, and so I'm just running through Montessori at Home-style numbers and numerals.  I skipped buying sandpaper numerals but what I did was use glitter glue over Joytoy numbers puzzles to provide texture.  M2 will use the same materials when he's ready.  For counting we use coins, the abacus, blocks, and the small paper rolls you see above from another toy.  I might ask an aunt to make us Montessori teen beads.  M1 gets a little confused with numerals 6, 8, and 9, but has mastered counting 0-10+.  Next up: 11-20 practice & mastery.  M2 counts to 20.

Montessori, Age 3-6

From Montessori Homeschooling:

AGE 3-6:

Q. Can I use Montessori ideas at home with my child? 
A. Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development and education at home. Look at your home through your child's eyes. Children need a sense of belonging and of being needed. They get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is the life theme of the preschooler. Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child's self-esteem. In Montessori 3-6 classes around the world it is this practical life element that builds habits of thinking logically, making intelligent decisions, following complex steps of complex processes, care in actions, and so forth, that prepare for a life of independent thinking and responsible action, and care for self, others, and the world. It is often the major area of work in the whole first year of the child's experience in a Montessori class. The Montessori 3-6 environment is filled with cultural, artistic, scientific activities and materials and books.  There is no junk food, no television, no computer.  Books, toys, and other educational materials are carefully chosen and of the best quality. The child is never forced to attend a lesson or do a piece of work.  The teacher is trained to model kindness and consideration, to observe the child and follow her interests in suggesting work, to give careful, individual lessons,to keep exacting records of what the child is learning and where his interests are leading him, and to refrain from interrupting when the child is concentrating on an activity. Much of this can be created in the home.

Montessori at Home!

Montessori at Home! does make homeschooling a breeze.  It's very easy to follow.  One can get started as soon as you get hold of the handbook.  A lot of the materials to get you started can really be found in the house.  And the kids, they love the activities.  I do not find very much resistance.  Both Marek and Markus enjoy the rice & water tubs... just a little too much.  My challenge lies in taking control.  Our homeschool is messier than the examples in the book.   They need to train some more on right-away obedience.  They do obey, but a lot of times, only when it's convenient to obey!  M2 has to work on self-control.  And M1 has to be a little less mischievous... which pushes my buttons sometimes.  Gentle disciplining sure can be challenging.  But over-all I'm less overwhelmed about our homeschooling.  Montessori at Home!  makes one step one day at a time easier.