bonbonmini

Actativities [a home-preschool update]...

[BTW Alexandria did not draw those scribbles in the top photo! Max and I did most of it and then she made some edits.]

I've been meaning to give an update on our home-preschooling activities (which Max has named "acta-tivities") for a while. Last year about this time I noticed that he was seeming ready for more than just all day free play. We started with simple Montesori-based exercises like this one. But our curriculum has grown a lot since then. Right now it's tangrams, figural analogies, pattern blocks and of course a lot of art projects and crafts (we are currently obsessed with Mr. Printables).

From day one it's been a learning experience for me more so than Max. First I had to accept that in a home preschool environment things will probably not happen at a certain time each day. For now I'm happy with spending 1-2 hours on focused activities each day sometime between breakfast and dinner.

It's also been a challenge to keep up with him. The rate at which kids absorb information is astounding. In the beginning I thought we'd be studying the ABC's and single digit numbers for months but it turned out he gotten those down before he was verbal. Since then it's been a race to stay ahead of him. How many times have I sat down to do a carefully prepared lesson with him only to watch him blast through it in 5 minutes!?

So...The "Curriculum":

I plan a series of activities, usually four, and engage him with each one until it's completed or his attention starts to wander, whichever comes first. We always find a way to include our Babyzilla, whose specialty is disassembly. We do the exercises sitting on the floor and include her by creating a parallel activity that blends with ours. The last one is usually art-based. We also have science days, where the whole lesson revolves around a specific concept such as gravity, volcanoes or life-cycles. 

More and more we are doing prep work for kindergarten admissions tests. Testing Mom and Bright Kids are the current favorites. We've also been focusing on geography more lately. We assemble our world puzzle or U.S. puzzle and then talk about regions, what they're known for and who we know that lives there.

When I catch something in day to day life that is new or a struggle for him, I will add that to the lessons. Right now it's coin recognition and the numbers 20-100. 

Group Activities & Socializing:

2-4 days a week we socialize with other kids in group activities, play groups and playdates. We found an amazing volunteer based playgorup that has a lesson, followed by supporting crafts and activities, followed by free play. Max also has soccer once a week. And a couple times a week I try to take them to the library for story time and play time, once for the babies group and again for 3 and up group. 

So that's it in a nutshell (sorry for the lack of relevant pictures but the camera's in the shop!). More to follow when we get it back...

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Chalk it up...

One of the things I love about preschooling Max at home is that I can taylor the lessons to his interests and whims and keep a close eye on his progress. His obsession with chalk lead to these little impromptu "chalk boards". A typical preschool day for us begins after breakfast. He is most present for the first lessen of the day, so we start with letter & number exercises. Some of our favorite tools are here, here, and here. Once he's had enough of the cerebral side we move onto something creative. The second activity is always hands on and either art or science-based. We paint, draw or use Joel Henriques' Made to Play to make toys. Or we do a simple science project such as mixing vinegar and baking soda or starting seedlings. Now that things have calmed down a bit, I'll try to post more of what we do. And if you have any suggestions for activities let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas!

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bilingual babies...

I'm embarrassed to admit that in spite of various efforts to study foreign languages I am still monolingual. I've always dreamed of being able to rattle off in another language, any language. I can't tell you how many language books I toted around in my life and how many NY parties I've nervously laughed my way through with red hot cheeks where seemingly everyone was quadrilingual. Even though English has spread across the world as a common language, I always feel a bit disrespectful in saying I haven't bothered to return the favor by learning the language of at least one other culture (not even the mister's). Luckily my children will never suffer such a fate!

When one parent speaks a second language fluently, a child can develop fluency as quickly as a child raised in that culture. The method is easy. Each parent speaks only their native tongue to the child, and speak whichever language is preferred to each other. You can also offer books in both languages, programs like Little Pim, formal courses later on to perfect written skills, and voila, you have a bi-lingual baby.

Max goes through phases where he prefers German and phases where he prefers English. But usually he speaks both equally. For many words, even though he knows both, there is a preferred lagnguage. Water is always vasser, milk is always milch and car is always auto. Some words he blends together, like "Danks" [Thanks + Danke]. And some sentences, such as today when I asked him for a hug after I took his basketball away he said "Kein hug!" (as in "No hug for you, you basketball taker!")

But even if children mix the languages together, they are able to distinguish between the two. For example, if I speak German Max gives me funny looks. And when he needs help and I am nearby he says "Help, mama" and when papa is nearby he says "Hilfe, papa." 

I used to dream that we would learn German together but by the time he was 12 months I was eating his dust. The mister would say a few sentences to him and he would go and get something, meanwhile I had no clue of what had been said. Now sometimes I even have to ask the mister what Max is saying. Recently when he wants something he's started saying "Hamen? Hamen?" I finally asked the mister and he said it's for haben which means "to have". Well, cough cough (on that dust again).

For those of you who want to expose your little one to another language Little Pim is a lot of fun (even if you are not already a bilingual family) and Powell's has a great children's foreign language section!

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montessori at home: lacing beads...

Here is another one of the home-Montessori exercise we've been working on. Max enjoys creating his own string of beads and showing them off, and I enjoy watching him concentrate intently on getting the lace into each hole. You can start by practicing stringing the beads, and later advance to sequence modeling, wherein you create a sequence of beads and ask the child to create the same sequence on his own string.

This is a simple activity to make yourself (although it does take a bit of patience to paint the beads). There are many inexpensive sets, such as this one, that you can buy, but I enjoy choosing my own colors and letting Max watch the creation process, which I think encourages his own interest in and understanding about creating things. Make sure to choose beads that are 1" in diameter or larger. This makes it easier for your little one to handle them and easier for you to clean them up if the tray tips over!

MONTESSORI TUTORIAL: LACING BEADS

The aim of lacing beads is to build your child's concentration, manual dexterity and sequencing skills by teaching them to lace beads onto a string. You can buy a set like this or make your own.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1) 25 or so 1" or larger wooden beads (like these)
2) A small tray (like this)
3) 2 or more round shoe or boot laces around 24" L
4) Non-toxic paints such as Americana craft paints in 5 colors
5) Modge Podge

HOW TO MAKE IT

STEP 1: Paint an assortment of wooden beads in solid colors.

STEP 2: Wait until beads are dry to the touch, before finishing each with a coat of Modge Podge.

STEP 3: Allow to dry overnight or longer before placing them in a tray or basket and introducing them to your little one using the Montessori Lesson Presentation method.

Remember to keep this activity out of reach when you are not watching your little one closely! The strings and beads can be a choking or strangulation hazard for younger children.

[Photos and tutorial by bonbon mini]

flash cards...

Last year this time when Max was about 13 months we got him these Eric Carle flash cards (at Anthropologie of all places). He has the number set and the alphabet set. He's loved them from day one and for the past year we found endless ways to use them.

I started by catching him during a moment of attentiveness each morning and saying each letter as we flipped through them in sequence. Once he was able to recognize more letters and numbers, I started to play games with him like laying three cards on the table and saying "Where's the number 5?" Now he can recognize and say A-Z and is learning the teen numbers but he continues to love these cards no matter what stage he's in. In the game pictured here we lay the 1st half of the cards on the table and I ask him "Where's the letter A...B...etc. Then we do the same with the second half, until we have all 26 stacked in order. I'm still amazed every time he says the seldom-used letters like Q and Z. He's keeping me on my toes trying to find new things to teach him!

montessori at home: sound boxes...

Max's first year was spent learning the basics at home and attending story times and play times at the library. His second year (this past year) was spent learning through flashcards, reading and educational toys. And recently, while he still seems entertained with me at home (and yesterday surprised us by counting to ten by himself) I've decided to begin a more formal method of home pre-schooling incorporating Montessori techniques. Maybe I'm a nerd, but I can't quite describe how much fun I've had developing a curriculum of activities and participating directly in his education. The rewards are his gleeful interest and watching him stick his tongue out as he concentrates deeply on the activities (he never does that with toys). It's been one of the most fun aspects of mothering to date.

Since I work full time hours from home, adding home pre-schooling to the mix is a balancing act, but it's turned out to be easier than I imagined. I will post more on this aspect tomorrow once I create a spot in the side bar to dedicate to home pre-schooling.

The Montessori preschool method places a lot of emphasis on teaching children to do activities that require concentration, carefully ordered sequence and aim to engender self-sufficiency as well as building all of the foundational academic skills. Activities range from sensory to reading, writing, math & geography to self-care. Inspired by Zozie & his Mama and books by Maria herself, like this and this, I've set up 14 exercises as a start for Max (now 25 months) to work on. Most of the exercises I made myself using materials from Alison's Montessori, Woodworks, various art supplies, and household items. I will post them each here. And once I'm back on my feet again I'll try to post videos of Max working on the activities!

MONTESSORI TUTORIAL: SOUND BOXES

The aim of sound boxes is to build your child's concentration, focusing and matching skills by teaching them to differentiate between sounds and sort them accordingly. You can buy a set like this or make your own for less.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1) 12 small boxes (like these)
2) A small tray (like this)
3) Materials that produce different sounds (grains, bells, sand, washers, etc.)
4) Elmer's glue
5) (Optional) Sticker dots or paint in 6 different colors
6) (Optional) Modge Podge

HOW TO MAKE IT

STEP 1: (optional) Paint the outside of each box with a coat of Modge Podge to protect the wood from use and give it a subtle shine.

STEP 2: Fill each box with materials, as in the photo at the top. To duplicate the sounds in each box pair as closely as possible measure the contents exactly (for example, if you put 8 beans in one box, put exactly 8 in it's twin). Test each box pair carefully to make sure it has a sound that can be distinguished from the other box pairs.

STEP 3: Apply a small ring of Elmer's glue around the top of the box before replacing the lid. This will prevent your little one from removing the objects placed inside. This is especially important for children under 3.

STEP 4: (optional) Place sticker dots or paint dots of color on the bottoms of the boxes so that each pair has matching dots. These dots will allow for self-correction each time your little one has completed the exercise.

STEP 5: Place them on their tray and introduce them to your little one using the Montessori Lesson Presentation method.

[Photos and tutorial by bonbon mini]