I’ve looked into different schooling methods for Olivia’s age, and the one I like best for now is Montessori. I like that it’s activity-oriented rather than lesson-oriented. It appeals to Olivia because it’s more like the work she sees me do around the house, rather than lessons-on-paper that would be foreign to her. The self-directed aspect is also wonderful – it’s something for her to do while I’m busy doing the afore-mentioned work!
I’ve taught three-year-olds before, and it was very much lesson-oriented. It was centered around learning numbers and letters, complete with workbooks. So I have an idea of the achievement levels typically reached through that method, and I have to say, Olivia has just flown right by that! Even without a direct focus on letters and sounds, numbers and number concepts, her grasp of those abstract concepts astounds me everyday! It’s amazing what she can pick up just during a casual conversation, when I would have thought it would take a direct lesson to teach a person!
Here are some pictures of recent activity that she LOVED: Working with tweezers!
Materials are little plastic beads in a container, grippers that go on a tub (with tiny suction cups on the bottom), and a pizza pan to catch stray beads. I only got out one gripper originally, but then she wanted one for each color. 🙂
Admiring (or studying?) her work. she didn’t actually fill all the grippers. 🙂 Which I didn’t really expect her to do, anyway! That would have been tedious!
And, of course, Benjamin wanted to play as well. But, as he still fights the urge to put small things in his mouth (or spill them all over the floor), I used a different version of the game for him. (And yes, they call them “games”!)
Materials are Duplo Legos in a container, tongs, and an ice cube tray.
(And there’s your belly shot!! It was taken maybe two weeks ago? So 28 weeks.)
I had a hard time finding tongs that he worked well with…
These were the most successful ones:
But in the end, he still preferred his hands. 🙂
And before he could get half the tray filled, he decided he’d rather build a tower.
Anyone else out there doing Montessori? What are your favorite activities?
is Olivia in her dance outfit? that looks fun! I’m not sure Lexi could be trusted with tweezers and beads though. Out of curiosity.. what does that teach her? or is she supposed to put the same color in the gripper? I’m just wondering. it looks fun either way!
I am loving Montessori “work” with 2 1/2 year old Katherine. I’ve got pictures of lots of different ones we’ve done in my mobile uploads albums on facebook. Are you using Barbara Curtis’s “Mommy, Teach Me!”?
Fun! Also, loved getting a peek at your belly!
I have a montessori classroom set up and there are tons of blogs and yahoo goups I could point you towards(if you dont know about them already!. I have an Olivia too! Have fun!
I’ve been making Montessori-type activities at home for my nearly-2 year old and documenting it at http://homemade-homeschool.blogspot.com. I’m mostly finding my own way right now, although I’m starting to read some official books and learn more about the philosophy.
Hi! I use a Montesorri based homeschooling method for my tot and host *Tot School* on my blog, lots of other moms link up each week with their ideas, here’s the link to all of my “tot School” posts on my blog (with other moms linked up through Mr Linky each week)
http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/search/label/Tot%20School
🙂 Carisa
ps- I am prego too, having my 3rd in a couple of weeks!
i took two of those pics:)
i’ve wanted to mont. activities w/ my 2.5 yr old but haven’t mustered the energy yet, til recently. i keep meaning to do a tweezers activitity with him, but need to do it when my youngest ISN’T around b/cs he DEF will put tiny objects in his mouth!
i’m glad i’m not the only one out there interested in this; i think it’s great!
and to the first person who asked: the tweezing is great for fine motor skills so that later on they can handle the coordination for a pencil, etc. oh, and color sorting is a skill too!