Through Pinterest browsing, I've learned a lot about learning. I've fallen in love with the whole Montessori approach to education, which is largely based on sensory stimuli--language, culture and anything that can inform from the five senses.
When I see my girls playing; it's evident that everything informs their learning. So--to limit how I teach them to flash cards or books seems very one-dimensional.
So, I've sought out some Montessori-type activities/crafts that I can use to engage the girls. There are so many of these on Pinterest!
Most of these require some crafting on my part to get them ready for the girls. This one was my first attempt.
This is what the original looks like, just in case you don't click over:
Here were my supplies:
- 4"x2" box with lid on it from a craft store (the ones I got were a dollar each, or something like that).
- Paint. I chose 15 colors.
- Clothes pins. I opted not to use the ones that you have to pinch, because I could see them as potentially injury-causing, and I wasn't sure if their hands are strong enough yet.
The best part of this, is that all the clothespins fit neatly in the box.
The lid goes, and they can be put away. Easy storage.
At 22 months of age, my girls can match up the colors, although sometimes you have to point them to which side the color is on.
They are learning to manipulate the clothespin to fit over the edge of the box. Most of the time they're able to get a few on without assistance.
They really enjoy doing this. They sign "colors" and ask for the box. I made two boxes, with the colors in different places for our girls.
It took me one naptime to get everything painted. It was ready to be use that same evening.
Cheap, quick, easy.
_________________________________________________________________________________
I'd love for you to join our Mama Loves community! Do you have great ideas that make your life easier as a mama? Share them! Mama-ing is a tough gig sometimes. I've learned so much from my fellow mama bloggers! We'd love to read about what you're loving!
Quick Mama Loves tip for you today. Many of us depend on enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the morning. Want to get a taste of Christmas each morning? Sprinkle a little cinnamon in your coffee grounds before you brew your coffee. Yum!
*Bonus--just 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon can lower cholesterol and help regulate blood sugar. Just one more reason to enjoy that cup of coffee!
Posts
5 comments:
This is cute! I did a similar activity with a piece of cardboard cut into a circular. A pie shape type color wheel. The pinch type clothespins work on their fine motor skills too. I'll have to make this.
I love Montessori for early childhood too! I fell in love after checking this out of the library: http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Amazing-Child-Montessori/dp/075662505X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323283294&sr=8-4
I'm most fascinated by how they teach the alphabet phonetically!
This is awesome, Julia! I love the concept, and the artwork behind it, too!
I have spent very little time on Pinterest, partly because I don't want to be sucked in! ;) Is there a particular search word / phrase (???) through which you've found a lot of ideas?
And now I'm off to check out the book Melissa linked. Thanks, ladies!
I love this idea and will be putting it on my to-do list!
Cinnamon in coffee grounds? And healthy, too? Yes, please!
PS-I chuckled when I read that the pins fit neatly in the box--it made me think of your crayon habit :-)
I love that idea! And if I were seeing you, I'd bring you some of those pegs. I went to a place once where they were cheap for sets of about 16 (less than $2) so I bought about 10. I had these bright ideas of painting little faces on them so we could make families, etc. for gifts for friends. Well, I remembered that I SUCK at anything artistic. This birthday I'm using some of them for my airplanes..... and I did give each baby a set to learn colours. I need to "google" Pinterest to see what else I can do. And yes, the best part of yours is that they fit neatly in the box :)
Post a Comment