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Spooning & Point of Interest
This is the first installment in a joint effort between The Full Montessori and Voila Montessori. Every week, we'll share with you a video (by Jeanne-Marie) and a blog post (by me) highlighting one presentation from the Primary curriculum and explaining one aspect of Montessori theory. It's bite-sized Montessori training that you can immediately put to good use at home! If you enjoy this, please share with others so our efforts can reach many families!
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When little children participat…Pom-Poms vs. Broccoli
Practical Life activities should be, above all else, practical: real activities that have a purpose and a goal. Practical Life 
should never, EVER be busy work. Busy work is insulting to the child's intelligence and developmental drives.
So, let's say you want to introduce transferring with tongs. Instead of the ubiquitous pom-poms you see all over Pinterest, how about using broccoli?
Here's what I did with Zach (who just turned 3), when he asked if he could help in the kitchen:
I had already choppe…
should never, EVER be busy work. Busy work is insulting to the child's intelligence and developmental drives.So, let's say you want to introduce transferring with tongs. Instead of the ubiquitous pom-poms you see all over Pinterest, how about using broccoli?
Here's what I did with Zach (who just turned 3), when he asked if he could help in the kitchen:
I had already choppe…
How to Get Your Toddler to Make Dinner
It was a grey and rainy afternoon. Zach had just woken up from his nap and my husband wouldn't be home for two more hours. I had a sinus infection and had no desire to move, but explain that to a toddler...
I had to make something for dinner, so while Zachtrashed explored the kitchen cabinets I pulled out a bean curry I had made the night before. It needed some greens, so I quickly chopped up some kale. I was about to toss it into the pot (hello, automatic pilot) when I realized something:
bored …
I had to make something for dinner, so while Zach
bored …
What's the Rush? (a rant of sorts...)
Our daily rhythm involves spending an hour at the park between morning and noon naps. Before Zach was mobile, I would lay out a blanket on the grass and he would be content rolling, playing with toys, and watching the other children. I would push him on the swing for a few minutes, which he loves, but for the most part we would just hang out on the grass and Zach would do his thing happily while I chatted with other care givers (i.e. nannies and grandparents).
Zach has recently started wanting …
Zach has recently started wanting …
Montessori Nuggets: When Your Child Knows Better Than You
This morning, while browsing through my Montessori books, I came across a short speech that Dr. Montessori gave in England, ca. 1930. I have taken the liberty of transcribing it to this blog from the book "The Child, Society, and the World". As you read this speech, it's important to remember that the Montessori approach is an entire philosophy, with each principle dependent on the presence of many others to function properly. Therefore, when Dr. Montessori talks about giving children freedom…
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