My Blog
On Making Mistakes...
We've all heard that we should allow children to make mistakes, let them learn from their errors, etc. etc. However, I recently came across an interesting article by Alfie Kohn. He argues that letting children make mistakes without providing a supportive environment is not only not helpful, but can actually be detrimental. Here are a few highlights:
Maybe the problem is that the educational environment [in traditional schools] emphasizes how well students are doing rather than what they're do…
The Power of Simplicity and Trust
The fundamental concept for the educator [and the parent] is not to become an obstacle in the development of the child.
-Maria Montessori, The Child In the Family
One reason I love to blog is because it gives me the opportunity to connect with many amazing parents. After I wrote the post about Zach's experiences with the Jaramillo soup, I began an e-mail correspondence with a reader (let's call her Adriana) who felt the soup was right for her three-month old son (let's call him Charlie). We e…
Just Do It
When you notice that your child is working towards a developmental milestone, the time to act in order to support his growth is NOW. If you wait until you have the ideal spoon, bowl, ingredients, toy, basket, or material, you might miss out on the most important element for success: the child's interest.
Using a Fork (with video)
During the past few months, I've given Zach many opportunities to explore eating with his fingers. On several occasions I've offered him small pieces of fruit or steamed vegetables that he can grab with his hands and bring to his mouth. I thought he would find this enjoyable, since he loves to eat, but it's actually been super-frustrating for him!
Because he's only 8 months old and hasn't developed fine motor control yet, he can't grasp the pieces with a coordinated pincer grip. He manages to …
Because he's only 8 months old and hasn't developed fine motor control yet, he can't grasp the pieces with a coordinated pincer grip. He manages to …
The Basket of Known Objects
The Basket of Known Objects is one of the most simple and effective Montessori activities for babies. It promotes exploration, language, sensory development and movement... Best of all, it's 100% FREE!!
As its name implies, this activity requires placing 4-6 safe objects that you find around the house into a child-sized basket. It can be introduced around the age of three months, or when you see that your child is beginning to grasp objects. If your baby can sit up against pillows, you can int…
As its name implies, this activity requires placing 4-6 safe objects that you find around the house into a child-sized basket. It can be introduced around the age of three months, or when you see that your child is beginning to grasp objects. If your baby can sit up against pillows, you can int…
Give Me a Pee!!!
I'm currently reading Diaper Free Before Three, a fabulous book about early toilet training that supports several tenets of the Montessori philosophy (and even quotes Dr. Montessori). It reviews the history of American toilet training from the 1800's to the present and gives logical, scientific, and thoroughly convincing arguments for helping young children achieve toileting independence at a young age (note: it's not a guide for practicing elimination communication).
I considered doing eliminati…
I considered doing eliminati…
Childhood is the Laboratory of Genius
When my uncle was in the sixth grade, he was expelled from the German school he was attending because, according to the teachers, he would never be able to keep up with the level of math required in junior high. Twelve years later, the boy who would never be good at math received his Ph.D. in Geophysics - GEOPHYSICS!! - from one of the top universities in the United States, and is now a leader in his field.
Inside every child is a genius. Inside each of us is a genius. For some of us, that gen…
Inside every child is a genius. Inside each of us is a genius. For some of us, that gen…
There Is No Try
“Do or do not, there is no try. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”
― Anonymous
A few days ago Zach and I were doing our grocery shopping. My little man sat in the shopping cart, shooting two-tooth grins to anyone within range (except old men, he seems to dislike old men...). I wedged my cart between the deli section and the iced tea display and was making my beverage selection when a young man turned towards us. He couldn't have been more than 22 years old.
"What a great baby," he sai…
A few days ago Zach and I were doing our grocery shopping. My little man sat in the shopping cart, shooting two-tooth grins to anyone within range (except old men, he seems to dislike old men...). I wedged my cart between the deli section and the iced tea display and was making my beverage selection when a young man turned towards us. He couldn't have been more than 22 years old.
"What a great baby," he sai…
The Moveable Alphabet
A trainer once asked my classmates and me the following: "If you were on a deserted island and could only take two Montessori materials with you to support a child's intellectual development, what would they be?" We pondered, debated, and finally concluded that for math it would have to be the Golden Beads that represent the decimal system and for language it would be the Moveable Alphabet.
The Moveable Alphabet was developed by Dr. Montessori when she realized that children had the mental capac…
The Moveable Alphabet was developed by Dr. Montessori when she realized that children had the mental capac…
Sharing
A couple of friends who have babies or toddlers have recently brought up the topic of sharing; more precisely, should we expect young children to share? One friend feels like a bad mom when her baby snatches his toys away from another baby. Another mom pointed out that at the playground she always hears moms telling their toddlers: "You need to share; nice children share."
Dr. Montessori observed possessiveness in young children and realized that it stemmed from a lack of opportunities to engag…
Dr. Montessori observed possessiveness in young children and realized that it stemmed from a lack of opportunities to engag…
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