Did you see these pictures on CNN? The photos of these kids watching TV are eerie…yet revealing. At least, it validated my concerns about screen time for young children. Let’s get outside this summer! Read in the grass, hike, explore, swim! How’s your summer going so far?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/11/living/gallery/children-watching-television/index.html
Are your kids “wild readers”? Are you? I know I am! For one, I read a book about reading. But how do I share that love of books with my children?
I just finished Donalyn Miller’s “Reading in the Wild.” A perfect book to get ready for summer reading! This book is about how to cultivate lifelong reading habits. Although Miller specifically talks about her experiences teaching 6th graders to love reading (beyond her classroom), I thought her insights applied to everyone, including me (mom).
I have to admit that I grabbed this book simply based on the title. WILD READERS! I want that for my kids! Wild readers read because they love reading. Nothing can stop them from reading. They read whenever they get the chance. They know what they want to read next. They have favorite authors and series. They are confident in their book selections. They seek out reading communities and enjoy talking with over readers.
If you have a house full of wild readers or you want to help your kids become wild readers, this is the book for you. There are an AMAZING number of things we do that we think encourage reading but instead squash our children’s interest in reading. Do we give our children enough opportunities to read? Do we allow them the opportunity for self-selection?
If you want to kick off summer reading with a BANG, I recommend checking this book out first! Then hit the library.
What’s up with the trays? The first thing you will probably notice about a Montessori-inspired home or Montessori classroom is the TRAYS. In our home, I use whatever is available – wooden trays, wooden bowls, woven baskets, plastics serving dishes, etc – usually picked up at a consignment shop like Goodwill.
I didn’t really understand the purpose of the trays until my three-year old had friends over who pulled everything off our shelves and threw things on the floor. We actually didn’t mind but Boaz busily put everything back into their correct places. Order and placement is ingrained into his habits and nature.
His learning experience begins when he enters the room. How are things organized? How are they grouped together? The next challenge – can he pick up the tray with the activity and carry to his table or the floor to play? This requires balance, coordination, and focus. When he’s done, can he put it back without dropping it before getting a new activity? Again – focus, attention, patience.
Don’t give up before they start! At first, they may throw things on the floor. After awhile they understand the process. And this process – organizing toys and activities on shelves with trays or other containers – makes clean up quicker! It also promotes continual learning development from the minute they enter the room. That’s why we love Montessori trays!
From none…to one..to two! I’m so grateful to have two “baby bears” to snuggle and two Nanas to help! Happy Mother’s Day!
I’m enjoying Gretchen Rubin’s new book Better than Before. I loved her first two books The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Through her books, I learned that I’m an “obliger” and a “finisher”. I do very well with external expectation but not inner expectations. Meaning, I put everyone else first before myself. I wake up and wonder: What is expected of me today? I’m great at being a role model and supporter but I tend to not leave time for what I want to do. With these types of tendencies, I need external accountability. I find this information SO POWERFUL when it comes to making or breaking habits and organizing or prioritizing my day. Now I know why I LOVE to read but never find the time! If you want to figure out whether you are an obliger (me), upholder, rebel or questioner (my husband) you can take a short quiz on Rubin’s website.
I highly recommend this book! What are you reading?
I’ve been working on little play areas for our two-month old. The set-ups are Montessori-inspired but with some consignment items. I stick with the Montessori ideas but if I often find things at the consignment store. At two months old, my baby likes to look at mirrors, black and white pictures, faces, and mobiles. He’s learning that when he hits things, they move! He coos back at me when I talk to him. I sing songs with him and often read short books while he’s doing tummy time. I try to have tummy time once every wake period. He’s very happy on his tummy. I always have an eye on him. Here are some pictures of our play areas for our two-month old. There’s also a video on my YouTube channel.
I’m now 40 weeks and a few days along in my pregnancy. As a doula and having already had one baby, I know my due date is a “guess date” at best. Every baby is different, right? BUT there is something about that magical date that changes everyone’s attitude (including mine). All of sudden you are “late”. However, about half of all moms (mainly first time moms) will delivery AFTER their due date. So you should feel “normal” right? Maybe not. You may need to work even harder to have a relaxed and positive attitude.
What are some ways to make this time during pregnancy relaxing and fun?
– Eliminate using words such as “waiting”, “wondering”, or “worrying”
– Repeat positive affirmation – post stickie notes around the house that say things like “Baby is safe and will come at the right time!” or “I love being pregnant!”
– How many date nights can you fit in before baby arrives? Make it game!
– Get a massage – try a special pregnancy massage
– Walk and stretch – it may be the last thought on your mind but keep moving
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS? What did you do or do you recommend to moms in those last few days of pregnancy?
Need a fun fall (really anytime) activity for all ages (my toddler thought it was fun)? Try making these Tree Bird Treat with your kids!
1.) Collect some bread – maybe some that is drying out and old
2.) Pick a cookie cutter shape and cut a few shapes out of the bread
3.) Poke a hole in the top for the ribbon or string to hang on a tree
4.) Dip the shapes in egg white and then bird seed
5.) Press extra bird seed down on the bread (lots will fall off)
6.) Leave the seeded shapes to dry
7.) When dry, slip a ribbon or string through the hole to hang on your tree (or other locations)
8.) Watch for birds! It goes fast!
Enjoying any other crafty activities this week? I’d love to hear about them! Please feel free to add a favorite link in the comment section.
What are your Montessori moments this week? Here are some of ours. Of course, you can have more categories such as fine motor skills, memory, geography, or science. Below are just a few we are working on – Sensorial, Art, Practical Life Skills, Language, and Math.
SENSORIAL
Playing with dried beans and sand. Usually some sort of vehicle is also involved. Dirt has also been a big hit recently too. We find a dirt pile under a trees and B plays contentedly for a long time usually digging, scooping, sweeping, etc.
ART
How many things can you paint with? Brushes, marbles, cars, sponges, empty paper towel rolls? Here B made a painting with q-tips. He enjoyed folding the paper in half and making a reflection. He REALLY loved displaying his art and showing Daddy. We asked him what he made and he responded, “Ducks!”
PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS
Typically practice life skills activities in our home include cutting fruit, buttering bread, making smoothies, vacuuming, etc. Some toys can utilize practice life skills as well. This jeep and drill toy lets B practice taking the screws and bolts on and off. Very entertaining.
LANGUAGE
B liked this phonics game. I put a variety of objects in a bin and he had to decide which cup they should go in – the “A”, “B”, or “C” cup – based on the beginning sounds. The apple piece and bagel were eating and he insisted the cap go back on the bottle, but otherwise he understood the game and had fun.
MATH
B enjoyed putting my cut out numbers in order from 1 to 10. He can count higher but we are working on mastering order (when the numbers are out of order) and value. We also count everything and enjoy playing with shapes.
Documenting life without school and free childhood.
The musings and adventures of a home educating family..
A Montessori Teacher, Behavior Therapist, passionate creator of learning activities and soon to be Mommy to twins.
A community of readers
Welcome to our Montessori inspired with Waldorf sauce and Reggio sprinkles homeschooling journey
Forcing the Bloom 