tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56877538860154153682024-03-05T06:50:34.688-08:00The Montessori Child at Home"If houses suitable for children do not exist, then let us build them. If articles suitable for children are not being made, let us get them made." Dr. MontessoriCynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-69416128383139270462014-09-29T12:12:00.001-07:002014-10-01T10:43:37.375-07:00A Beautiful Summer Family ProjectI've just received photos from one of our parents showing the outdoor project they took on this past summer. We had marvellous weather this year and I can easily see how this wonderful play space would keep E. and her friends outside all day long.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Hi Cynthia,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">A family project to share with Montessori! We had a large project for the summer which involved taking out all our grass on the side yard to create an amazing, fun play space for E. and her friends to share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">E. was involved as much as possible and we had so much fun creating this space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">E. is out in her new garden at 7.30 in the mornings using her imagination!! She made a camp fire in the tee-pee and we bought some assorted round balls and wooden sticks to make marshmallows and she toasts them on the camp fire. The boat is her sand box with a beach area all around it. Peter built a fence and gate to enclose the garden and the scraps of wood Emily uses to build. We tried to keep the garden as natural as possible. We all love our new garden!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Enjoy!"</span><br />
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Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-59883878995160499822013-12-21T18:18:00.000-08:002014-09-20T13:26:52.756-07:00Countdown Traditions<br />
Now that my children are grown and there are no grandchildren in sight, I have become quite nostalgic for a few of the Christmas traditions that we no longer practice. One of those traditions is the daily opening of an advent calendar leading up to Christmas day.<br />
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I came across our battered, old, homemade calendar tree while decorating this year. Its colour is all faded and half of the little decorations are missing but I still love it. We made it 16 years ago, the boys choosing little magazine pictures to be turned into ornaments while I emptied out and glued together 24 matchboxes. We cut and glued until our little tree was finished and the boys looked forward it every year. They took turns opening the little drawers - the older boy opened his on odd numbered days while the younger opened his on the even numbered day. It worked for us but some families have opted to get a calendar for each child. <br />
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Our little tree hasn't been brought out for a few years because the boys aren't....well, they aren't boys anymore. I think I'll leave it out this year.<br />
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Although the tradition of advent calendars may have its roots in Christmas, it is a ritual that families of all different faiths have adopted. In fact, the calendar could be used to countdown the days before any big day in a child's life such as a birthday or visit from a beloved grandparent. <br />
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However, in keeping with the idea behind this blog, and without further blather, here are examples of some of the ways our families help their children countdown to the big day.<br />
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One of our teachers sent this to me. She has two active boys, one in our primary program and one in elementary. <br />
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<i>"This is Ev's Lego advent calendar. Each day has something new to build. They are
a little more on the pricey side, I think they're around 30
dollars(gift from grandma). You can also get Playmobil advents which are my favorite but the boys
love their Lego. They're both easy to find at any local toy store (Kool
and child) and toys r us has the Lego themed ones every year."</i><br />
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<i> </i>The next photo was sent to me by another of our teachers. Her son is in his last year of high school and still likes to take part in this practice.<br />
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<i>"Here is a photo of the family advent ritual we use to count down the days to Christmas. </i><br />
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<i>On
the last day of November each year we sit down as a family and make a
paper chain. We cut 24 strips of a mixed selection of red, white and
green construction paper, then glue, tape or staple them together to
make a chain. It is optional for parents to write a message on the
inside of each strip, and more meaningful as your child begins to
read. The method of connecting the strips seemed to depend on our son's
age and what tool he was most interested in learning to use at each
particular age. </i></div>
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<i>We began this ritual the year Jack was born and he began helping
when he was 2 1/2 years old. I grew up with 3 siblings, so each of us
had our own chain hanging in our bedroom.</i></div>
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<i>Beginning on
December 1st, each night at bedtime, Jack removes one link on the chain.
As the month progresses, the chain gets shorter and becomes a visual
impression of the time remaining until Christmas eve, when only one
chain link is left.</i></div>
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<i>The chain invites many opportunities for counting the links that
are still hanging. It also becomes a marker for how tall Jack has grown
since the previous year as he becomes able to reach the higher links
without a stool or his parents to lift him up. If you leave the torn
links in a pile on the floor under the chain, you also create a visual
impression of the difference in the number of days.</i></div>
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<i>This tradition has been in our family for over 50 years." </i><br />
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S. and C.'s mother sent this picture to us. You may remember the boys from <a href="http://themontessorichildathome.blogspot.ca/search/label/S." target="_blank">these posts</a><i>. </i>They are both in one of our primary classrooms<i> </i>now, and their mother teachers in the other.<i> </i>Their calendar is a beautiful felt tree complete with a box of felt ornaments. Each ornament appears to be numbered and finding the correct one each day helps reinforce numeral recognition.<br />
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Finally, E's mother very kindly sent us a photograph of the advent calendar they use at Christmas.<br />
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<i> </i><br />
<i> "</i><i>This year Christmas is definitely going to be more exciting for E.
Having the advent calendar this year helps her understand the
countdown to Christmas. She asks everyday which number can she open! She
never forgets! An excellent tool for learning number recognition &
patience (a big one for this age)."</i><br />
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On behalf of the children and families of Discover Montessori School, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, happy Holidays, and a wonderful new year!<i> </i></div>
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Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-20698368666621544252013-12-12T13:40:00.000-08:002014-09-20T13:22:23.900-07:00Independence at 3I'd like to introduce you to E. She is one of our youngest and is in her first year of our Primary
program. Her parents are eager to help her become as independent as possible and have made many changes in their home to accommodate her
burgeoning abilities. They have kindly shared some pictures with us.<br />
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<i>"Here she is at 21 months, making banana bread. The bananas were soft enough for
her to cut with her knife. She managed this task very well and now cuts
up her own bananas for breakfast all the time." </i></div>
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<i>"At 24 months, E. loved to make Ginger Bread. We have since
found child size tools for E to use in the kitchen which has made it
easier for her."</i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIYJBDfF4bSzyhFJjwZ1itM0GYFUUjQpa3YjJibwlnc-62SuA5jCFctrabmVzDH5SrJuIAoNiIUJ3hDV4D1RGt7GVmZcknExbJ8zISLcGoZO5E3ZefShyphenhyphenyCssiYsEwIBGh08BlvRsGP8/s1600/E3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIYJBDfF4bSzyhFJjwZ1itM0GYFUUjQpa3YjJibwlnc-62SuA5jCFctrabmVzDH5SrJuIAoNiIUJ3hDV4D1RGt7GVmZcknExbJ8zISLcGoZO5E3ZefShyphenhyphenyCssiYsEwIBGh08BlvRsGP8/s400/E3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></i></div>
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<i>"Making her favourite, Chinese Dumplings. E focused so well to
make sure the edges of the dough were wet enough to fold in half and
stick them together so the filling does not come out when cooked. She
mastered this so well the first time she was shown that we make it a
family tradition for Chinese festivals and celebrations. A great way to
talk and teach her about some of her Chinese culture."</i><br />
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<i></i><br />
<i>"E at 34 months, loves to Vacuum so we found a smaller attachment for the stairs that is just her size."</i><br />
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I love this picture of E.'s dress up clothes. Her father cobbled it together from a store bought clothes rack meant for adults. He simple left out the higher tier of vertical poles so that it was just E.'s height. Now she can easily see the clothes without having to dig everything out and gets to practise using a hanger at the same time. :)<br />
<br />
E.'s mother is an early childhood educator and says <i>"I am always ready to learn more about Early Childhood and to become a better parent and listen to Emily's needs."</i><br />
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Wise words. Thanks, Julie.<i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-72066645714904495842013-11-23T13:59:00.002-08:002013-12-23T05:15:15.445-08:00A Space to work in the kitchen.This year's parenting class has just finished and I've been sent a new batch of pictures to share on this page.<br />
<br />
During parenting classes, we talk a lot about how to help our children become more independent at home. This involves a lot of observation, lots of discussion about natural and logical consequences (consequences as Adler and Dreikurs intended, NOT as punishment), and lots of sharing of ideas. One of the things I do for each class is put together a collection of slides showing what other parents have done in their homes to foster independence for their children. <br />
<br />
The enthusiasm and creativity of parents intent on making their children more independent (and happier) never fails to amaze me. I also love that these parents are so willing to share their ideas.<br />
<br />
With that said as an introduction, here is a photo of a wonderful kitchen space that one father made for his three year old son and five year old daughter. The father's words follow.<br />
<br />
<i>"As you well know, the kids love the autonomy they can find anywhere,
especially the kitchen, and the pair of them are constantly desperate to
get involved. Give them a loaf of bread, butter, jam and peanut butter
and they'll happily make sandwiches till the cows come home. The real
incentive for this cabinet was breakfast time, and affording them the
ability to prepare their own, which they love to do.</i><br />
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<i>I'm quite proud to announce that not only is this a good Montessori
project but also a pretty good example of recycling. I bought nothing
new to make this. In fact almost everything is bits and pieces salvaged
from the junk piles of local house construction sites, which are often a
wonderland of cast off building supplies."</i></div>
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<i>"The
counter top is 'real' and therefore totally washable and durable and was
also a scrap piece found onsite, big enough to jigsaw into a main
counter and the small shelf. It took 6 short scraps of 2x6 wood and a
4x4 to build the cabinet, plus one scrap piece of particle board for the
lower shelf and two ends of the small shelf. The green hooks are
actually old knobs salvaged from a trashed chest of drawers. Add 30
screws from the toolbox, 2 sheets of sandpaper and some wood glue and it
was ready to paint with a nice complimentary brown salvaged for free
from the local recycling depot."</i></div>
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What I particularly like about the design of this piece is that it can easily be re-purposed as the children gets bigger. I should add that the older sister has asked that it have doors on the front so that it looks more like the kitchen cabinets. I'll be sure to post pictures of that when the doors are installed. :)</div>
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<br />Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-28914310025316511492013-10-18T19:30:00.001-07:002013-10-18T19:31:56.906-07:00Made by Joel ....... Last year in Art class, the children took a virtual trip to Paris. While
they watched an hour long video that someone took while on a walking
tour of Paris, the children cut out, coloured and set up their own mini
version of that city. Of course, they all wanted to make a city at home
so I emailed the link to their parents.<br />
<br />
If you have a bit of time, explore around this website. It is called Made by Joel and it can be found <a href="http://madebyjoel.com/" target="_blank">here. </a>It is full
of wonderful things the children can make at home. Just the sort of
thing parents need when it is time to turn off the television. :-)<br />
<br />
One mother sent me some pictures after following the link.<br />
<br />
Here her older boy colours one of the printouts. Then he cut them out .......<br />
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and set them up. His own mini version of Paris. <br />
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Do yourself a favour and check out Made by Joel. Print out some of his free templates and have them on hand when you need something to keep the children engaged or, better yet, sit down and create something with them!Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-36179557519112679392013-01-20T17:01:00.002-08:002013-12-02T09:25:52.152-08:00The Question of Allowance.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">We all know that one of the best ways to
teach a child about money is with a weekly allowance. Knowing that is the easy part. What isn’t so easy is figuring out how much
to give your child and for what the allowance should be used. This is a
constant topic of discussion between parents and staff in our school.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> To research this post, I did what I always
do – ordered every book I could find on the topic from the library and, while I
waited, trolled websites. What I found on the internet
was a snarl of conflicting and confusing advice. In fact, I found so many different ways
allowance can be handled that I wondered if this post would ever get written.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> Then the
books arrived and one in particular caught my eye. It was a small, unassuming book written by
Gail Vaz-Oxlade (you may know her television show <i>Till Debt Do Us Part</i>). I had only to read the first chapter to know
that what Ms. Vaz-Oxlade proposes in <i>Money
Smart Kids </i>meshes beautifully with the Montessori philosophy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> Now, before
I get into a condensed version of the book, I’d like to share an activity that
many Montessori schools use to introduce the values of coins to students. We call it the Money Game and the rule of
thumb is that the students must have a good working knowledge of the decimal
system before being introduced to the game. (There is a very good description
of the game<a href="http://themoveablealphabet.blogspot.ca/2009/02/coin-bank-gamei-highly-recommend-it.html"> here.</a>) We have found that playing this game will help
a child understand how many coins to give when paying for something and how
much –if any- change she will receive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEqyzpdwGdcHsSgEJzHWiHwcqQtphX4utSZgyUWIksUKQTMdNFb8HzjpSri23QdQ44NzwB8iEgcPNUYCA_bySVvuRtugJhTHUqPMot1aFQRNWVNjBtNY_EP-C3nqabWBz_ZCVfgk_YR8/s1600/2004-01-01+00.00.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEqyzpdwGdcHsSgEJzHWiHwcqQtphX4utSZgyUWIksUKQTMdNFb8HzjpSri23QdQ44NzwB8iEgcPNUYCA_bySVvuRtugJhTHUqPMot1aFQRNWVNjBtNY_EP-C3nqabWBz_ZCVfgk_YR8/s400/2004-01-01+00.00.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Back to the book. The
following is a very brief paraphrasing of Ms. Vaz-Oxlade’s advice on how a
child’s allowance could be handled.
However, I STRONGLY suggest you read a copy of her book to get the full
version. She really knows what she’s
talking about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">1.<b> </b><b> Set expectations.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> You and your child need to sit down and
discuss what the money will be used for.
Without a plan, a child will just spend money on whatever she chooses
and that will do nothing to teach her about money. Ms. Vaz-Oxlade suggests the money be divided into three parts: one part to
be saved, one part to be shared (charity), and one part to be spent (this last can
be broken down into mad money and money needed for specific expenses). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">2.<b> </b><b>Use Jars. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Divide the
money into 4 clear jars (clearly labeled Savings, Sharing, Planned Spending
& Mad money) so that your child can really see how quickly the money can be spent or saved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">3. <b>How much? </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">This depends
on what you can afford and for what you expect the child to pay. It also
will depend on the child’s age because an older child will have more expenses
than a younger one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">4.<b> </b><b>Make it easy. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Decide, with
your child ,what day of the week is best? My boys wanted their allowance on
Friday afternoon so that they had money for the weekend. Some children might want it on Sunday evening
so they have money for the week. Whatever schedule is chosen, the adult MUST
stick to it. Consistency counts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">5.<b> </b><b>How much in each jar? </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Ms.
Vaz-Oxlade suggests 10% of the allowance go into the Savings jar. The Sharing
jar gets whatever you decide (Vaz-Oxlade’s children did 5%) The amount to go into the
Planned Spending jar depends on what you and your child have decided she will be
purchasing (bus tickets, movies, books, gifts).
As mentioned above, discuss this with your child and decide together how
much is needed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> Into the planned savings jar, goes a portion
of money as savings toward something like University or a trip. If your child also wants to save for a
smaller item (an Ipad, for example) a fifth jar can be set up. Anything left over is Mad Money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">6.<b> </b><b>Don't tie allowance to chores. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Ms.
Vaz-Oxlade and I agree here. Allowance
should not be tied to chores and should be strings free. Also, it is perfectly fine for a child to get
a part time job to supplement the allowance.
Money for grades? How does that
motivate the child internally? Besides, if your child is in an authentic
Montessori …. there are no grades! Money for chores? Do you get paid for making the beds or
cleaning up the kitchen? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">However,
there are some ways that a child can make a bit more money without having to
get a part-time job. There are jobs
around the house that are not done on a regular basis (like washing the car)
that you could pay your child to do. Ms.
Vaz-Oxlade is very clear here that it should be treated like any other job and
that the child can be fired if the job is not well done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">7. <b>Keep your hand out of your pockets. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> If you keep bailing out your child or helping
him buy things he should be saving for, he isn’t getting an accurate experience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> There. That is my very-condensed version of the
first chapter of <i>Money Smart Kids. </i>As
mentioned above, I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who is
wrestling with the questions surrounding allowance. I hope it helps.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Vaz-Oxlade,
G. (2011). <i>Money Smart Kids.</i> Harper
Collins, Canada</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-79886522119924148642012-12-16T22:21:00.002-08:002013-01-22T15:18:24.034-08:00Thoughts and Prayers<span class="userContent">On behalf of the staff, parents and children
of Discover Montessori School and Oceanside Montessori School, I send
our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the families affected by the
tragedy at Shady Hook Elementary School. </span>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-44166782337211266042012-08-20T15:26:00.001-07:002013-08-15T22:25:41.086-07:00Getting ready for school<br />
<br />
Here in Canada, the summer holidays are almost over and many Montessori families are getting ready to start school. A quick search on the internet showed lots of tips and lists to help parents but not many of them were about Montessori schools. Here are a few suggestions that parents might consider when preparing to send their child to a Montessori classroom for the first time.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Now is a good time to start waking up earlier to get into the "school" routine.</i></b><br />
<br />
- Start moving bedtime a little bit earlier every night if summertime has allowed for a later-than-usual<br />
bedtime routine.<b><i> </i></b><br />
<br />
- Help your child practice choosing an outfit the night before. If he decides the next morning that he<br />
doesn't want to wear that outfit, help him choose another by offering him two choices.<br />
(Too many choices makes for grumpiness.)<br />
<br />
- Set up your kitchen so your child can help make her own breakfast. If cereal and milk are her<br />
usual breakfast, put the cereal in an easy to open container and the milk in a small jug. Yogourt and<br />
fruit? Same thing - put them in easy-to-open containers. Place both the food and any utensils she<br />
needs on low shelves so she can get her own breakfast, giving you time to do other things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ENe2tBabSvgSq4M6vqIU4sWGPTYzo_Nul6ef7RToDB1sqV2vV8X_PF-kKPXp-ht-Vz0A0Oi3yW5vKLJpWpFmj3KcZBQKjkAXT2Q4A2v9SOxx3LXTQLJOcb-WIF11xRyMxSdoXL3GteU/s1600/August+2012+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ENe2tBabSvgSq4M6vqIU4sWGPTYzo_Nul6ef7RToDB1sqV2vV8X_PF-kKPXp-ht-Vz0A0Oi3yW5vKLJpWpFmj3KcZBQKjkAXT2Q4A2v9SOxx3LXTQLJOcb-WIF11xRyMxSdoXL3GteU/s400/August+2012+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i>Prepare your child to be independent at school. </i></b><br />
<br />
- Make sure he can get in and out of his clothes by himself without any real help from an adult.<br />
For example, pull-on pants with no buttons or zippers and Velcro shoes. If your child can't yet tie<br />
up his shoes, don't send him to school in lace ups. Remember, your child is striving for<br />
independence and we can foster that by being aware of (and adjusting for) his capabilities and<br />
developing skills.<br />
<br />
- Does your child's classroom provide hooks or hangers for his outdoor clothing? If he is expected to<br />
hang his clothes on a hook, provide him with a low hook at home so he can practice. If the<br />
classroom uses hangers, give him a small hanger with which he can practice. (Use a low hook or a<br />
door knob if you don't yet have a low hanger bar.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1vMA8OaSASum6VAZUmEP4_kMAV-V7IyWQ7eZHdVuOFBR9cyHQYH5iwe9Smb_HOQ3wbbeuHu0izNSSW0F3mCRqEKYQIp_YVLeuMwk9kkcSRHdv_d-vnbun2cz9d4SQOK00MHYTb5oH2Y/s1600/102_4341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1vMA8OaSASum6VAZUmEP4_kMAV-V7IyWQ7eZHdVuOFBR9cyHQYH5iwe9Smb_HOQ3wbbeuHu0izNSSW0F3mCRqEKYQIp_YVLeuMwk9kkcSRHdv_d-vnbun2cz9d4SQOK00MHYTb5oH2Y/s400/102_4341.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b><i>Make sure you know what to bring on the first day.</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- </i>Many schools ask parents to bring a second set of shoes and a complete change of clothing. If you</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
haven't been told by the school what to bring, a phone call or email might be in order.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- </i>Is snack provided or does your child bring her own snack? If she brings her own, make sure she</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
can open the container by herself and without spilling. I've written about containers in<a href="http://themontessorichildathome.blogspot.ca/search?q=lunch"> this post</a> if </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
you'd like a bit more information. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b><i>Separation Anxiety</i></b><br />
<br />
- You and your child may have sailed through the observation and tour but the actual, real, first-<br />
day-of-school can be anxiety riddled. The most important thing I suggest to parents is to try <u>not</u> to<br />
show any of that anxiety to your child. Children are sensitive to parent's emotional states and if she<br />
senses you are anxious, she may think there is something in this new environment to be anxious<br />
about. Be positive and enthusiastic about your child's first days of school.<br />
<br />
- Talk about what is going to happen a few times before the first day - children are less anxious if<br />
they have an idea what to expect.<br />
<br />
- Let the teacher help with the separation. Indicate when you are ready
to go so that she can hold and<br />
comfort your child if he is crying.
Then say goodbye and LEAVE. Don’t hesitate or linger or<br />
come back because that will just make it more difficult for your child. <br />
<br />
- Don't leave without saying goodbye. The next time, your child won't trust when you are going to<br />
leave and can become even more anxious. Believe it or not, a solid "Goodbye. Mummy will pick<br />
you up at lunchtime" is much more reassuring to a child.<br />
<br />
- Be prepared to do the same thing for a while. She may have had a great time on the first day of<br />
school but would really rather stay home with Mummy. Goodbye on the second, third and fourth<br />
days of school can be just the same as on the first. Trust that she will settle down in a little while.<br />
If you are concerned, arrange to talk with the teacher after school hours.<br />
<br />
The first days of a new school are wonderful, frightening, thrilling, and stimulating - for you and your child. Trust that you've made the right choice and stay in touch with your child's teachers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-57926802916394746812012-03-13T21:11:00.002-07:002012-09-24T19:26:02.106-07:00Yoga in the home. Once considered by many to be weird and "foreign" , Yoga is now accepted as a beneficial form of physical and mental discipline. Many Montessori classrooms I've visited have yoga exercises as an activity and, I am pleased to say, it is an activity that is in almost constant use.<br />
<br />
The benefits of yoga are many - decrease in blood pressure, increased flexibility, improved hand-eye coordination - but I am not an expert on the subject so will let you do your own research to discover those (and other) benefits. I have observed, however, that yoga in the classroom serves many children as effectively as any of the other activities on the shelves.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiUjKi9saPxfAnf2GDfYIU820L1Fq8tRVrJzKVzLAaAMoEXM3sJG-zDdALiaSs-yxX8aS0BU0T8dRKcoJl2_A88VNAhAPLFkkXzYMpEEY6maUH2r5j99kUtaLYih-2LNCwr1v4nPiwI4/s1600/102_5585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiUjKi9saPxfAnf2GDfYIU820L1Fq8tRVrJzKVzLAaAMoEXM3sJG-zDdALiaSs-yxX8aS0BU0T8dRKcoJl2_A88VNAhAPLFkkXzYMpEEY6maUH2r5j99kUtaLYih-2LNCwr1v4nPiwI4/s400/102_5585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the classroom, the Yoga activity is presented by the teacher to one or two children at a time. The materials required are just a yoga mat and a few pose cards.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuquPmypZ0y49rmGrnbAzJqGBMp5E1F8UiLGqLNENvEX3rVRCVTKnC0iRE-dqM8vtskB5yaZQxehmc40AhqbXLSHHupHEd4BDJUMmQVBHhnquKj-WQXsUVfQq625e5tGuKVQ7axnsQAfc/s1600/102_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuquPmypZ0y49rmGrnbAzJqGBMp5E1F8UiLGqLNENvEX3rVRCVTKnC0iRE-dqM8vtskB5yaZQxehmc40AhqbXLSHHupHEd4BDJUMmQVBHhnquKj-WQXsUVfQq625e5tGuKVQ7axnsQAfc/s400/102_5584.JPG" width="390" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Once the children have been shown how to do the yoga poses, they are welcome to unroll the mat and choose a few poses to practice when ever they want.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZulCrnuHqCKOwnpa2TTr-UWd2Qf_Zz2H0ngCyluvq_AJf9QUNmggxOIZ_lp-5yxNg2dmf2GFRypRBnaDviu5tz_3esgc7FGpJo4rKPnIorm4d7wWNJ5vohd6p5QzJclc-ddndJH2Ycs/s1600/102_5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZulCrnuHqCKOwnpa2TTr-UWd2Qf_Zz2H0ngCyluvq_AJf9QUNmggxOIZ_lp-5yxNg2dmf2GFRypRBnaDviu5tz_3esgc7FGpJo4rKPnIorm4d7wWNJ5vohd6p5QzJclc-ddndJH2Ycs/s400/102_5795.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yoga is easily transferred from the classroom ( or the Yoga studio) to the home and can be done by a child alone or with an adult. I like the thought of a child having his own yoga mat and his own cards so that he can practise at whim or join in when his parents are practising. With all that said, here are some pictures of M. at home with his yoga mat.<br />
<br />
M. has already learned how to roll and unroll a work mat in the classroom so transferring that skill to a yoga mat is easy.<br />
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Then he takes off his shoes - just like in the classroom.<br />
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And begins to practise his poses.<br />
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Look at the joy on his face! What a great way to get in a little activity and a lot of fun.<br />
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Thanks, M.Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-29968114814400375962012-02-26T12:31:00.002-08:002012-04-06T14:47:50.860-07:00Chores at home and their implications to academic workFor Christmas, G. received a fish tank and fish from his grandparents. He is almost 7 now and attends our elementary classroom. His mother understands the importance of his taking care of the fish all by himself. Care, feeding and cleaning of the tank will be his responsibility. His mother might need to remind him now and then but she will not be doing the work herself because what would that teach G.?<br />
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In our conferences at school, we often ask parents what chores the elementary children do at home because there is a direct correlation between school work and house work. The responsibilities that a child is given at home (chores) help to establish a sense of order and peace that the child carries into more academic work. Chores also give the child a sense of time management, the ability to prioritize tasks, as well as general organizational skills.<br />
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I am not talking about basic things like making one's own bed, putting dirty clothes in the hamper or hanging up one's jacket when coming in from outside. I am talking about real cores - things that need to be done around the house to keep the home clean and tidy. These might include cleaning or folding the laundry, washing the floors, vacuuming, washing the windows (inside and outside), pulling weeds from the garden, raking leaves, or shovelling snow.<br />
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There are a couple of important thing for parents to remember, however. NEVER redo a chore that a child has completed - no matter how much you want to and DON'T nag. Take a page out of a Montessori teacher's album - make a mental note of how well the child did the chore and where he may need more practice. At a later date, show him how to do the chore again so that he has another opportunity to observe the way you complete it.<br />
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Being responsible for various chores at home makes a child feel validated in his role within the family. That confidence and validation is brought into the classroom without it being a conscious thought. When I am in the classroom at the end of the day, it is easy to pick out the children who routinely take care of chores at home. These are the children who begin to clean up the classroom without any fuss or reminders and are often the children who instinctively take better care of their belongings. Literature tells us that these are the children who, when they begin to live away from home, know how to wash their own clothes, clean their own rooms and cook their own food as well as know how to organize their studies or work requirements more effectively and easily. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheNk4QpMGaAyWbot3_t8-8CJ1avtPM24fexZ7tfmSsYcOzFU2Hm-OEbg7adgdXBYg0b1lnyCzItvkRoBOkYoUXGuOI8nXaBjtUfKCHawlTykS05K1h2tYOp9XsnPsQYBcvdIuOVZaxAU/s1600/Christmas+2011+203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheNk4QpMGaAyWbot3_t8-8CJ1avtPM24fexZ7tfmSsYcOzFU2Hm-OEbg7adgdXBYg0b1lnyCzItvkRoBOkYoUXGuOI8nXaBjtUfKCHawlTykS05K1h2tYOp9XsnPsQYBcvdIuOVZaxAU/s400/Christmas+2011+203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-62849906940428245192011-08-02T20:54:00.000-07:002011-08-02T20:54:24.703-07:00A Blog Worth ReadingIt has been forever since any of our families have sent pictures so I thought I'd redirect you to another wonderful blog. It is called <em><a href="http://amontessorihome.blogspot.com/">A Montessori Home</a></em><em> </em>and is written by Cathy -another Montessori Teacher and parent. In the blog, Cathy answers many of the questions that come up when raising a child within the Montessori philosophy. <br />
Give it a read. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do.Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-66399022670084312192011-03-14T10:32:00.002-07:002011-03-14T15:17:59.599-07:00A New Addition to S.'s Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh0dO1HjewM8NdHHGeh-krevuhijGmdvjZqa6C6C-lj2iItMVekMYsAoLcvVloW-o1lwtmPVkcUPxnz4zZXeg_jk1UumMFJ-vLYws-C6l2m3VkGkYOsy4LYymsNpocgEWskvKSpm6of4/s1600/185720_190513014320389_100000850758552_447175_3376732_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh0dO1HjewM8NdHHGeh-krevuhijGmdvjZqa6C6C-lj2iItMVekMYsAoLcvVloW-o1lwtmPVkcUPxnz4zZXeg_jk1UumMFJ-vLYws-C6l2m3VkGkYOsy4LYymsNpocgEWskvKSpm6of4/s640/185720_190513014320389_100000850758552_447175_3376732_n.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At 8 lbs, 12 oz, a little brother was born at home on March 1, 2011. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"S. will eventually be sharing this room with his brother once he is ready to leave our bed, but I'm not sure either how this will work out. I don't think it would be safe to have both on a floor bed, S. is only 18 months old and has an unwanted interest in C's eyes. So I think a crib might be necessary for awhile. As for sharing space, S's clothes could move to the closet, where he can practice hanging things on hangers, and the little one can have his clothes in the dresser. Also S. can have his toys on the higher up shelves and C's things can be on the lower shelves. It will get interesting when the room gets turned upside down in a mess and both will deny any participation in it! "<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congratulations!</span></div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-34899121583121456892011-03-02T06:53:00.003-08:002013-11-23T14:01:05.566-08:00A new house and a new bedroom for S.This past year has been one full of changes for S. Many of you will remember S. as the child who inspired me to begin this blog. His mother is a teacher at our school and is, at this very moment, waiting at home for the birth of her (very overdue) second child.<br />
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S. and his parents recently bought (and are renovating) a new home. Here are some pictures of S.' s new bedroom.<br />
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The low Montessori-style bed and the set of drawers are the same as in the previous photos of S.'s room. He can now open the drawers and select his own clothes. As K. (Mum) mentioned, she puts only a couple of choices in each drawer in order not to overwhelm S. while giving him the freedom and independence of deciding which clothes he'd like to wear. I also love how low the window is. S. can easily look outside any time he wishes.<br />
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His belongings are set out on a shelf where he has easy access to them. (It should be noted that these pictures were taken just after the room was put together. The cord to the CD player has since been secured to the back of the shelf unit.) A couple of cheerful pictures have been hung at S.'s eye level and the space is not overly decorated or accessorized. <br />
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In addition to the set of drawers in the room, there are hooks on one of the walls to facilitate S. hanging up his towel, jacket, etc. Notice how low the hooks are. S. has no trouble reaching them at all.<br />
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And finally, here is a picture of S. and his baby doll. A lovely way to help prepare a child for a new brother or sister.<br />
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Thanks, K.! </div>
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Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-84059494353745987372011-02-14T13:07:00.002-08:002011-03-02T13:40:55.344-08:00Putting on a coat...the Montessori way?Every now and then, I go through my statistics to see which subjects people are looking for when they stumble upon this blog. Something I've noticed a number of times is people searching for directions to putting on a coat "the Montessori way." I then realized that I posted about <a href="http://themontessorichildathome.blogspot.com/2010/11/post-to-fill-time.html">how we teach the children to hang up their coats </a>but I wrote nothing about how we teach children to put on their own coats. So I've decided to write a post about that subject. I have no idea if this is the"Montessori way" but it is the way its been done in three of the schools at which I've taught. If you know another way, please let everyone know (I'm sure there are several).<br />
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Armed with my trusty camera, I asked a couple of children to help me. The first girl is 3; the second girl is 4. (I apologize in advance for the pictures but this is a difficult activity to capture.)<br />
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First, the child spreads her coat onto the floor with the front open to expose the arm holes. She then moves the coat (or her body) to make sure the label is close to her feet (or knees if she is kneeling). <br />
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Then the child puts her arms as far into each arm hole as she can, holds onto the material........ <br />
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...and then flips the coat up into the air and over her head and behind her back (which is why its important that the child hold onto the material inside the arms) . <br />
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The child then pushes her hands to the ends of the sleeves and shrugs the coat onto her shoulders.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ta dah!</span></div><br />
In the classroom, I show the children how to do this with my own coat. I have done it as a group presentation but find a one on one presentation much more effective. I don't use a lot of words - in fact I don't use any - to give the child time to really observe what I am doing.Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-55124413398854741082011-01-29T17:01:00.006-08:002013-11-23T14:01:32.924-08:00When Practical Life is internalized it often comes home to roost.When a child is allowed to spend as much time as needed in the Practical Life area of the classroom, over time the lessons learned are internalized. Very often, those internalized skills show up at home.<br />
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This happened to G's mother the other day when he announced that he wanted to make dinner. I will let her tell the rest of the story.<br />
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"G. made dinner for the family tonight - in 23 steps! So I took some pictures for you. <br />
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He decided to make Pan Fried Herring (local from Port Alberni), with broccoli and snap peas, with stuffing (yuck - stuffing!! whatever... it was his choice). It was cool because it was a bit of a science lesson - looking at the fish eyes, the gills, chopping the head off and gutting it - are those eggs inside? Wow. Ewwww, the blood, bladder, and guts! <br />
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Cleaning the fish. </div>
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All clean.</div>
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Chopping up the veg.</div>
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Preparing a dredge for the fish.</div>
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Cutting up and arranging lemon pieces on a plate.</div>
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Preparing the pan for frying the fish.</div>
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Frying the fish.</div>
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Preparing the stuffing.</div>
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Setting the table......</div>
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...and Voila! dinner is served!</div>
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It was fun and he was so proud of himself. He even washed & dried some dishes. Our little chef! Practical Life seems to be approached differently now by G., not so much a learning of skills as a perfecting and contributing to the family that makes it so wonderful for him (and us!)."<br />
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By the way, G. is 5 and a half!</div>
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Wow!</div>
Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-80872226939460229152010-12-31T13:27:00.003-08:002011-03-02T13:39:15.169-08:00A Belated Christmas Wish and a Happy New YearOn behalf of all of the teachers and families who have contributed to this website we wish you a restful and loving holiday season.<br />
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M. and his Christmas tree.<br />
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G.'s gingerbread house.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">C. & M. doing a Christmas dance with their grandparents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Happy New Year!!!!!Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-45615688616391348912010-11-07T11:53:00.001-08:002010-11-07T14:53:04.929-08:00A Post to Fill the TimeIt has been a while since I've received any photos from our families so I thought, while we wait, I would post about a few things that take place in the classroom that also happen at home. This post is going to be devoted to hanging up a coat.<br />
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In an earlier post, I showed pictures of homes with low hooks on the wall to help a child be independent in putting away their outside wear. It has come to my attention that some parents have gone a bit farther than hooks and have placed a dowel in the hall closet at child height. This means that coats can be hung on hangers. Since this is how the children put their coats away in our classroom, I thought I'd take some pictures to show how the children actually do this. My thanks go to K. who allowed me to photograph her going through the steps required to hang up a coat.<br />
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Our cubbies (the top part) and lockers (the bottom part) were custom built to accomodate the children. Each one is shared by two children and each child has two hangers. (There are more available if needed but space is limited.)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The children begin by putting the coat on a table top or on the floor and spreading it out. In this picture, K. put her coat on the floor because the tables nearby were already being used. Sometimes, the sleeves have to be pulled right-side-out and, depending on the development of the child, may be a place where an adult needs to help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the coat is spread out, the child places a hanger on the label with the two ends aiming into the sleeves and the hook poking just above the collar.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The child then closes the coat - first one side, then the other. I usually demonstrate this with one hand at the top of the zipper/buttons and the other at the bottom. If a child just closes both sides at the same time, the sides either overlap or don't meet in the centre. This can make it more difficult to do up. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> Once the coat is closed, the coat needs to be zipped or buttoned up. Obviously, zippers need to start at the bottom but buttons may be started at either end. Many children realize, after a few months, that if their coat has buttons, they only have to do up the top button. : )<br />
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Once the coat is done up, the child takes hold of the hanger's hook and lifts up the jacket.<br />
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The coat is now ready to be hung in the locker.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few notes: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Many zippers are extremely difficult for a child to get started. (I wrote about that in <a href="http://www.amontessorimusingplace.org/2010/01/for-parents.html">this post</a>.) Allow a child to try but be ready to step in with an offer of help if the child begins to get frustrated. If your offer is accepted, only do up the zipper a little way so that they can finish the job themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Be aware of a child's sense of order. I once had a child get absolutely frantic when I showed him how to put his coat on the floor. It became clear VERY quickly that in his house, coats did not belong on the floor - EVER. I guided him to a table and we began again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- There will be times at home when a child says "You do it." When my boys were little and this demand showed up, I would give the appearance of helping while really doing very little. "Sure. I'll hold the hanger while you get your coat ready." or "I'll start the zipper for you when the hanger is in the coat." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-71444719132662376762010-10-03T15:15:00.001-07:002010-10-03T15:19:05.952-07:00Lunch boxes and containers Helping our children to be as independent as possible is the goal of all Montessori parents and teachers. So it was with some surprise that I realized, while talking about "child & earth friendly" food containers at orientation last month, that I'd never stopped to look at this issue from a parent's perspective.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I decided to take a closer look at the choices parents have in the way of boxes and containers and came to this conclusion. There are many food containers that a 5 year old can handle but there are very few that are easy for a 3 year old. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The child in the picture below, is 5 and he is taking the lid off a kind of plastic container that can be found in most department stores. As you can see, he turns the box sideways to get a better grip on the box. Most children do this and, if they aren't holding the box over the table, end up with their food on the floor. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXn3_m_fKz32volqr85by_CBXlirIahoBa7qlIutnqKsDUwBFfBWQTj9Xy6yVG9_gkAKV0RV0sg4zhNgbl8EUKOcmrM9DTvKk5vJrmaSJ7q1MOADATsNZsQ2_ergCLgjpl9b-bklp4Kw/s1600/102_4217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXn3_m_fKz32volqr85by_CBXlirIahoBa7qlIutnqKsDUwBFfBWQTj9Xy6yVG9_gkAKV0RV0sg4zhNgbl8EUKOcmrM9DTvKk5vJrmaSJ7q1MOADATsNZsQ2_ergCLgjpl9b-bklp4Kw/s320/102_4217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here, a girl is opening a larger, glass container. She is also tilting the box to get a better grip. This is fine as long as the food inside is not something with a sauce or liquid. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next picture is of a lunch box that was purchased in Hong Kong and reminds me of a <a href="http://lunchinabox.net/2008/06/09/online-stores-for-bento-gear/">Bento Box</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has separate compartments which hold several different sizes of containers.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lid snaps onto the rim of the box. I have found that this kind of lid is the easiest for the young children to undo and close as long as the rim is one continuous lip.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">instead of a prong lock as in the next picture. These are just too difficult for most 3 & 4 year olds to line up and snap closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are some mass produced boxes on the market now with built in compartments to separate foods. Watching the children opening these, I concluded that they are not any easier than their glass counterparts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The very best solution I've seen for helping a child with lunchtime independence is in this next picture - each item had been carefully folded in wax paper. The folding was such that it did not come apart in the boy's lunch box yet it was easy for him to get apart. In our neck of the woods, wax paper can be thrown into the city compost so this is also a very 'green' solution and much better than plastic sandwich bags.</div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> While discussing this topic with another teacher at our school, she pointed out that when a child does need help with a container, we help that child in the form of a presentation. In other words, we hold the container in front of the child, making sure that our hands and arms aren't blocking his view, and open the container very slowly. Presented this way, the child can see what is involved in opening the container and, after a few more tries, may be able to open it himself. At home, a parent can do the same thing with their child. This gives the child an opportunity to open the container for the first time at home, rather than at school.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-65027182625904889742010-08-24T16:20:00.003-07:002011-03-02T13:25:43.070-08:00Hanging aroundC.'s Mom sent these pictures to me a few weeks ago. C's Dad has been working on a home gym in their basement. He is taking special care to ensure that the gym is a place where the whole family can be together.<br />
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C's Mom writes "I thought I'd send a few pics your way of our gym in the basement. Still not finished, but the girls are enjoying it just the same. "<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Once again, really economical. We bought the rings, ladder, and attachments at IKEA, and they're great for indoor play. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>M. can't reach the rings on her own yet, but is happy to hang there for quite some time if she's lifted up."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y9TdB0H5eO3nrfPGvXE5UNpN34SOTB6kjXVgl8HJjnUTC9PlHpzCkXYN3Gbk6xB-BtD7sav82OHg2iL4hPy1WIdTFJfdrkcByciaOlfmjpAAJPL1Oqp4dK5u-pBVzYUPHMlXWTk-uy0/s1600/hanging+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y9TdB0H5eO3nrfPGvXE5UNpN34SOTB6kjXVgl8HJjnUTC9PlHpzCkXYN3Gbk6xB-BtD7sav82OHg2iL4hPy1WIdTFJfdrkcByciaOlfmjpAAJPL1Oqp4dK5u-pBVzYUPHMlXWTk-uy0/s320/hanging+2.bmp" /></a></div>"We intend to add climbing rings to the wall with some rock climbing holds as they learn more climbing skills. "<br />
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I've shared this on the blog because home gym's are not something I have ever considered through the "Montessori" lens. (My experience with gym's is lots of sweaty adults working out on strange looking contraptions. The only place for children was in the "playroom" - usually a big room full of toys and a caregiver. ) However, C's parents have shown me that with some careful thought and consideration for the developmental needs of their children, a home gym can be a place for the entire family.Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-32128629517343099202010-08-01T10:51:00.003-07:002013-11-23T14:02:16.175-08:00Homemade popsicles...or anything else.As adults, we all know the feeling of accomplishment that comes from seeing a task through from beginning to end. The same is true for our children - especially when it comes to food. How empowered a young child must feel when the home environment has been so carefully prepared that she can make something to eat all by herself.<br />
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K's Mom just sent these pictures of K. making popsicles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyATNz2kVvy4nK4BtpoismerTw5-Qv6RzIq8lM8sc8HRgomm5MqsSne_3ofHJV_keHBQV3WT7HzNZB-yw0thM1NNa5NOEmZPfCUI9mzBt3y7MaVTlhuhxNGhbwQMWQf1LMHeN4ie5RhpY/s1600/popsicles+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyATNz2kVvy4nK4BtpoismerTw5-Qv6RzIq8lM8sc8HRgomm5MqsSne_3ofHJV_keHBQV3WT7HzNZB-yw0thM1NNa5NOEmZPfCUI9mzBt3y7MaVTlhuhxNGhbwQMWQf1LMHeN4ie5RhpY/s320/popsicles+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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K. is 4 but because her home environment has been set up to aid her independence, she can make these treats whenever she likes (as long as the ingredients are on hand). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9GtWc61eOljOKpnQcb8YdbAdo3yvBnJia_iZV9XMyAOCPp89e80-wNG1HMMvwvrHXKnJwpYqP4_4sIbcZWTEn1Nxl2eX4kmNRkM6hGc27Xj4vgqDGRazGHunbRI4z69XWw9krzwK7qM/s1600/popsicles+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9GtWc61eOljOKpnQcb8YdbAdo3yvBnJia_iZV9XMyAOCPp89e80-wNG1HMMvwvrHXKnJwpYqP4_4sIbcZWTEn1Nxl2eX4kmNRkM6hGc27Xj4vgqDGRazGHunbRI4z69XWw9krzwK7qM/s320/popsicles+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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K.'s Mom wrote "Simple recipe, just yogurt and fruit juice. Add the two, stir together, pour, freeze and enjoy. And I don't mind if they have three in a day."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2oFGHxmnN4bGt9uPKrFlFdM9PUKSAZLtyMs-h09McL3Aff8QWXMPcreIhmHxlCOzf6k-AlE-tCO2GCWA32ScIPktJqYe9MKi8oQKoZKKYDR4osS-9F8ff9EtLbvKyN3Pi-6RehtWbPo/s1600/Popsicles+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2oFGHxmnN4bGt9uPKrFlFdM9PUKSAZLtyMs-h09McL3Aff8QWXMPcreIhmHxlCOzf6k-AlE-tCO2GCWA32ScIPktJqYe9MKi8oQKoZKKYDR4osS-9F8ff9EtLbvKyN3Pi-6RehtWbPo/s320/Popsicles+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Just like in the classroom, cleaning up is part of the work cycle and part of preparing the environment. Classrooms usually have a supply shelf set up so that the children can easily find the tools they need to restock an activity or clean up when there is a spill.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93yEjNBOAvgaIOfUkVxtv3sBoRNEPsDhzHjxfQXfFB850TopPpBSaSUDdTQCGakVZ7wZ2NeV5e0iJAOLIe5k5Y350RY3X1A1cBNUMbD_YwxnVLBZWVg8xt2N_hZEWqAS7MvyywlpVY70/s1600/supply+shelf+OMS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93yEjNBOAvgaIOfUkVxtv3sBoRNEPsDhzHjxfQXfFB850TopPpBSaSUDdTQCGakVZ7wZ2NeV5e0iJAOLIe5k5Y350RY3X1A1cBNUMbD_YwxnVLBZWVg8xt2N_hZEWqAS7MvyywlpVY70/s320/supply+shelf+OMS.jpg" /></a></div>
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The girl in the next picture had just finished rinsing out her pants (paint spill) and put them on the drying rack. She then noticed that water had dripped on the floor so she went and got the bucket used to clean up spills. The bucket is equipped with a sponge and a dry cloth. She got up most of the water with the sponge and then used the cloth to dry the rest. After that, she put the cloth on the drying rack and got another dry one for the bucket from the supply shelf.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7QYj7lm-wDenF58U7-XSW4IrHDKrxN7T9oYzNEMOgBzD6PZnhXC3TfYtbtu5hgFYyrp7yqJb1f_0OKCIAKsH4bQwjR0uztbu6PaQgC_3acx5-Ns5oYahXkD6LZLIji61b37B1-93zuE/s1600/102_3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7QYj7lm-wDenF58U7-XSW4IrHDKrxN7T9oYzNEMOgBzD6PZnhXC3TfYtbtu5hgFYyrp7yqJb1f_0OKCIAKsH4bQwjR0uztbu6PaQgC_3acx5-Ns5oYahXkD6LZLIji61b37B1-93zuE/s320/102_3938.JPG" /></a></div>
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Many homes don't have the space to accomodate a shelf and a drying rack and wouldn't need nearly as many cloths. A low drawer or cupboard can be used to house the cloths and the small bucket. The clean up tools should be child-sized and easily accessible so that clean-up does not become a major chore or battle of wills. Cleaning up should flow easily with maybe just a comment from a parent like "Let's clean up. I'll help."</div>
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I hope K. saved one of those popsicles for me. : )</div>
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Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-54253442528183078832010-07-11T11:27:00.004-07:002010-08-06T10:18:43.567-07:00Art at homeArt is powerful but above all it is personal. Whether it celebrates our cultural background, religious beliefs, or our own creative talents, the art we choose to decorate our homes should be accessible to our children. Art belongs to the whole family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS2CO4QmDMv51xKsiZf1YEno05_pJoIOd80JQ_rRIx4MHrgs-wjmh4w7t8arhdt2E1XFS8XfJ2qP6KpmbojITf7cwj9HBBgqHzQ2UnfesQQCWsM8wCmO2TnMer_J871j_LBooJcUp-2k/s1600/102_3901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS2CO4QmDMv51xKsiZf1YEno05_pJoIOd80JQ_rRIx4MHrgs-wjmh4w7t8arhdt2E1XFS8XfJ2qP6KpmbojITf7cwj9HBBgqHzQ2UnfesQQCWsM8wCmO2TnMer_J871j_LBooJcUp-2k/s320/102_3901.JPG" /></a></div>(This amazing picture was drawn/painted by my mom-in-law, Marilyn Dyer-Seidl. It is her interpretation of a dream that my older son had when he was very young.)<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Dr. Montessori understood that beauty encourages a positive and spontaneous response to life. Since we hang pictures at eye level to beautify our homes, there should be some hung at the level of our children's eyes as well. Laminated art cards work very well for this. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> When my boys were younger, I would put several art cards of a particular artist on the kitchen wall right beside the telephone/computer desk. Other than change the cards every few months that's all I did – there was no lesson attached. Over time, the boys would ask me about a particular artist and I would answer their questions. Sometimes one of them would not like the display and would ask for it to be changed. Other times, I'd find one of their young friends looking at the wall in deep concentration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrebC6luQ5tAXB2e1Z-qXndf_WiGM8PrDTKyySFLuaxQ89YKyzfGoIodGZs-DVzS2spn_4-nDRbTJx3lZ6WrwZbMp5HNhpPc_F3ReFLt4fh01R-wyN-zXld8coDx2xyWLmKpyjUmWMxNE/s1600/102_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrebC6luQ5tAXB2e1Z-qXndf_WiGM8PrDTKyySFLuaxQ89YKyzfGoIodGZs-DVzS2spn_4-nDRbTJx3lZ6WrwZbMp5HNhpPc_F3ReFLt4fh01R-wyN-zXld8coDx2xyWLmKpyjUmWMxNE/s320/102_3907.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">(This is a mock-up. The actual cards I used were much larger but I hope this illustrates what I'm trying to describe.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> In addition, children should be able to touch and feel art. Teaching/modeling respectful examining of sculpture is no different than the respect we teach our children to show when handling musical instruments and books. <br />
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</div> Depending on the age of your child, books can be another wonderful introduction to art. Books left on the living room coffee table for casual browsing or books read at bedtime can include those having to do with great works of art. Some of my favourites are:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Children in Art</em> by Janice Anderson </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This book has lots of great big pictures of children throughout the ages. It has frequently found a place on our coffee table over the last 15 years or so.</div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em>Van Gogh's World of Colour</em> concept by Julie Aigner-Clark</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">An excellent concept book for the youngest children.</div><br />
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<em>Visiting The Art Museum</em> by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JEpQnkDhvrwN1Sw9wZtPrW0hVgxCAwJTe_l5W48QEisd1XfUIDiCwQWlx85-3PBAjE1sZCvcUTb1YbfFMqGpl_AVbHzlUCX0UI4WVMlnrytMCv0sVZrc1Rb3TzByVedY-LaOIIKrnqE/s1600/102_3921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JEpQnkDhvrwN1Sw9wZtPrW0hVgxCAwJTe_l5W48QEisd1XfUIDiCwQWlx85-3PBAjE1sZCvcUTb1YbfFMqGpl_AVbHzlUCX0UI4WVMlnrytMCv0sVZrc1Rb3TzByVedY-LaOIIKrnqE/s320/102_3921.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A great book for the elementary children because of its comic book-like style.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And last, one of my personal favourites because I spent many hours sitting with my children finding the fraudulent works of art – </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em>Art Fraud Detective</em> by Anna Nilsen.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5kB_DgOmkw1PRi6POJo3C3D-SxobJ89tidmO53tyG1w6krVm-btQttDuauiWCXEZV-amdxrg6cEEN54Yuyaw863ycvBBfzOMRbTDZHyEZvRdP86XL22z3ppfQLRHu5qoGMmgkqcxNZk/s1600/102_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5kB_DgOmkw1PRi6POJo3C3D-SxobJ89tidmO53tyG1w6krVm-btQttDuauiWCXEZV-amdxrg6cEEN54Yuyaw863ycvBBfzOMRbTDZHyEZvRdP86XL22z3ppfQLRHu5qoGMmgkqcxNZk/s320/102_3925.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> This book was given to my younger son in 2004 when he was 9. When I went to find it for this picture, I found it beside his reading chair. He still finds it interesting at age 16.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zkg8WRsSqrakrdnAx0mCW0usA_5znx-DHU3Suuhsz98ozOh4SjAE1vmwaihmHAWpWQdXSmpHT0uMIzMTaNvonYIw6DYE76NO8dBCknzQufKLguTmZgMcnQbA2nogw9K7_lz7e0A8WBk/s1600/102_3926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zkg8WRsSqrakrdnAx0mCW0usA_5znx-DHU3Suuhsz98ozOh4SjAE1vmwaihmHAWpWQdXSmpHT0uMIzMTaNvonYIw6DYE76NO8dBCknzQufKLguTmZgMcnQbA2nogw9K7_lz7e0A8WBk/s320/102_3926.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Have you got a favourite art book you'd like to share or an activity you use to introduce great works of art to your children? Please leave a comment if you do.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-5434800989552149842010-06-24T11:01:00.005-07:002011-01-18T07:28:43.953-08:00Music at home.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> My father was a musician. Although he decided he couldn't make enough money as a professional trumpet player to raise a family, he never stopped playing and listening to music. Needless to say, our house was filled with music. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> (That's Dad in the middle holding the trumpet.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCBXR3a9F4ZYaTHU_CdMr9LA1hZKKy2Q8aK0HLNUx1qOb8uv67tFG8ZtbveKTxccTuiV_NwTuurabI3RPBZiQ2RzEu_W4Z8HfeKWMK6F-u3406N_gC7yLdIjxf0_dIA_fjPUPwj7wK5A/s1600/Dad+in+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCBXR3a9F4ZYaTHU_CdMr9LA1hZKKy2Q8aK0HLNUx1qOb8uv67tFG8ZtbveKTxccTuiV_NwTuurabI3RPBZiQ2RzEu_W4Z8HfeKWMK6F-u3406N_gC7yLdIjxf0_dIA_fjPUPwj7wK5A/s400/Dad+in+band.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Although Dad's primary instrument was a trumpet, he also arranged music for bands and orchestras. That meant that we alway had a piano in the house. We were allowed (actually, expected) to explore the instrument as long as we were respectful. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWktG5G7QAh5OPrw7nJo2YAdZU0UpurVXZyNpBdYdRT9yP7sZzjk8n0NvRwyEXsUoMnT8uYiuG0FkkrH5ZVdry7rzWNibGj5KpjGckR4xsKhmMY_3COGPyOSLjMZrbg-yfnNltwTp3G0/s1600/Cyn+at+piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="640" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWktG5G7QAh5OPrw7nJo2YAdZU0UpurVXZyNpBdYdRT9yP7sZzjk8n0NvRwyEXsUoMnT8uYiuG0FkkrH5ZVdry7rzWNibGj5KpjGckR4xsKhmMY_3COGPyOSLjMZrbg-yfnNltwTp3G0/s640/Cyn+at+piano.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Yes, that's me at age 6 plunking around on our first piano. I never took piano lessons because I chose violin but I still love picking out tunes if there is a keyboard around. Nice hat, eh?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Later, when I had my own children, we bought a second-hand, electric piano and my Dad built a stand for it at child height. They both loved to explore and pick out tunes. When we went over to "Grandma and Papa's" the boys were allowed the same musical privileges that I'd been given.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRRw8xFJIr4G3o4raa8J24EsnoTEU07gb6HI6rjxvl9p9rwWitNWMpN1xNcxmLRpbWUYFMn0S1_NWpNfKzFRi_SGt4Ev07YEADsXeVmY_9W6BBTj2dOZz8-tJXXN4PXkKI3VAm9NAEXU/s1600/Lach+at+piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRRw8xFJIr4G3o4raa8J24EsnoTEU07gb6HI6rjxvl9p9rwWitNWMpN1xNcxmLRpbWUYFMn0S1_NWpNfKzFRi_SGt4Ev07YEADsXeVmY_9W6BBTj2dOZz8-tJXXN4PXkKI3VAm9NAEXU/s400/Lach+at+piano.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(My younger son, Lachlan, - at age 4 - playing on Papa's piano.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The point I'm trying to make with this walk down memory lane is that music and rhythm are fundamentally important to the development of young children. Children should have access to rhythm and musical instruments from the very beginning of their lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here, S. bangs on a tambourine. What a lovely sound! Later, Mom can play music on the stereo, take up her own tambourine, and they can keep time to the music together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpk-Qha23vZX2wtO7Cys1XqJ3ZJohXjikXETNiZIqXDmu-bJPY2gqV5APoMKy-vASGdGNJxmvpF0eT8rWJYrO48RhoU_uyafPLw4M9RbQ8NSqqU0kL4gT0gCh1npW47Y1C7z2dehI0Zg/s1600/tambourine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpk-Qha23vZX2wtO7Cys1XqJ3ZJohXjikXETNiZIqXDmu-bJPY2gqV5APoMKy-vASGdGNJxmvpF0eT8rWJYrO48RhoU_uyafPLw4M9RbQ8NSqqU0kL4gT0gCh1npW47Y1C7z2dehI0Zg/s320/tambourine.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pianos are large and expensive so it isn't always feasible for a family to have one available to children. As far as I'm concerned, any instrument will do as long as the child is taught how to handle it with respect. Here is a picture of E. exploring a violin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSBGoJ79IcWmegLkaYSxcTGQ1sqRZDIXaaj6zBl0C8cHi4Q3aK0uiPtXInU3OCjnFPHapyizg7k42Ma-XR_kzCcsmRkk06WbJUQcotBDu-ZCW8c9yODjzLJXahA1hncD_pl7oW_lhQQs/s1600/violin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSBGoJ79IcWmegLkaYSxcTGQ1sqRZDIXaaj6zBl0C8cHi4Q3aK0uiPtXInU3OCjnFPHapyizg7k42Ma-XR_kzCcsmRkk06WbJUQcotBDu-ZCW8c9yODjzLJXahA1hncD_pl7oW_lhQQs/s400/violin.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Experimenting with different kinds of instruments adds to a child's development and love of all things musical. Scouring thrift stores or swapping/joining with another family are great ways to give your child different musical experiences. In the next two pictures, C. is having a wonderful time playing a steel drum with some family friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0kh3qtKQFBqrpEhWHaLat23adDSdgbZpKSzgqGCIFAN3Ihg9pH-UQkm_a6Yf3sJvcHT2HNTxsizu7BQZA7HLG0sQcztcjviSU_IvbAwHMgOItA20sk8U-jzTGc5hpZMNXpIkk7Aon1s/s1600/IMG_2439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0kh3qtKQFBqrpEhWHaLat23adDSdgbZpKSzgqGCIFAN3Ihg9pH-UQkm_a6Yf3sJvcHT2HNTxsizu7BQZA7HLG0sQcztcjviSU_IvbAwHMgOItA20sk8U-jzTGc5hpZMNXpIkk7Aon1s/s400/IMG_2439.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0ktlAqPLCqks5w3sjAzLa5gJyNqQcczeEzgQAQiOOhfUu4E3TBI97MrrQ-3X4b4lLndeuQrok6fVlTWNgcCHkRW7rsx19L4odmF24J9XAQlnRMntUSekhZqXoeElPnsY9hOiGe4I1fk/s1600/IMG_2438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0ktlAqPLCqks5w3sjAzLa5gJyNqQcczeEzgQAQiOOhfUu4E3TBI97MrrQ-3X4b4lLndeuQrok6fVlTWNgcCHkRW7rsx19L4odmF24J9XAQlnRMntUSekhZqXoeElPnsY9hOiGe4I1fk/s400/IMG_2438.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When my boys were small and money was even more scarce than it is today, I would cover the coffee table with a blanket and put out all the lids from my pots and pans on top of the blanket. Then, armed with wooden spoons, the boys and I would bash in time to whatever music they wanted to hear. At other times, we would make our own instruments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OfCgJhSpizAuZVg9c7V__l2Mm1KpksNUQ0ArPBOR57QTA8pfNA5nv6BfgI04-9ASbFH6F6QAy16BXc_El1H-rVZ2Z3cjsdR2T_yJyHTuUYZU7QOOET81FJA6Z3Jz0F393Czqa6LXqM/s1600/Cal+with+made+guitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OfCgJhSpizAuZVg9c7V__l2Mm1KpksNUQ0ArPBOR57QTA8pfNA5nv6BfgI04-9ASbFH6F6QAy16BXc_El1H-rVZ2Z3cjsdR2T_yJyHTuUYZU7QOOET81FJA6Z3Jz0F393Czqa6LXqM/s400/Cal+with+made+guitar.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(That is my older son, Calum - I think he is about 5 here - with his own guitar.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In the classroom, the bells are always available for those children who have been shown how to handle them. Since I grew up hearing someone plunking around on the piano, I love the sound of the bells being played in the classroom. Most of the time they are played according to how they were presented but every now and then a child will just explore. This is one of my favourite sounds in our classroom.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Music and rhythm are wonderful ways to bond with children. Just look at this photo of M. and her Grandpa making beautiful music together!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">If you play an instrument, let your children hear you play - often. If you don't play an instrument, have one around to explore with. Role modelling is just as important with music as it is in everything else. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Please give your child real instruments. Toys do not give a child the same experience that a real instrument will. Toy instruments do not feel or sound the same as real ones nor do they get the same kind of respectful handling that real instruments are given. (Think of tidying up. Would a toy violin be returned to a stand in the music corner or would it get put on a shelf with the other toys - toys give children different experiences and messages.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sing all the time. Even if you don't think you have a good singing voice, sing anyway - your child will love it. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Read lots of nursery rhymes to your children. Let them hear the rhythm in the words.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some links to articles about children and music if anyone is interested in reading more about it. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.musictogether.com/ImportanceOfMusic">http://www.musictogether.com/ImportanceOfMusic</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-80385271835729457712010-06-20T14:07:00.004-07:002013-11-23T14:02:44.987-08:00M. helps prepare dinner<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
M.'s mother just sent us a video of M. helping to prepare dinner by washing the salad greens. Take a look <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gOE-7Xgm28&feature=channel">here </a>.</div>
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Merci, V.Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-8533013698543149022010-06-09T16:46:00.000-07:002013-11-23T14:03:14.765-08:00Sharing a small space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's post comes from E. & K.'s mother. Both girls attend our school - E. is in Level 1 and K. is in my Primary classroom. Their mother teaches in the other Primary classroom and their father (a carpenter) spends many hours building things for the school. I think you'll agree that these parents have found some very innovative ways to help their children with more independence at home.</div>
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"E. cleaning with her own spray bottle. What a proud day that was, when they got their own spray bottles (filled with vinegar water). When the feeling strikes, like tonight, she'll ask to clean the bathroom, and especially loves to scrub the toilet! Go figure! "</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFwcxX1GBSxQwuFm6R1VeutC9A4AWEKhXMfVB6aOKv-DIDLVc6y4kddIvrXuHUemKZp_Qe5GfaAJ-BrFaKWZWMSiBPHIhYRn2OqcA5W7prLCRhz6NHmlHjlZsVoB6UNcGMRVuuKRlKng/s1600/window+washing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFwcxX1GBSxQwuFm6R1VeutC9A4AWEKhXMfVB6aOKv-DIDLVc6y4kddIvrXuHUemKZp_Qe5GfaAJ-BrFaKWZWMSiBPHIhYRn2OqcA5W7prLCRhz6NHmlHjlZsVoB6UNcGMRVuuKRlKng/s400/window+washing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"The next picture is E's books, light and cd player (Peace and Quiet, Mr. Bach comes to visit, Peter and the Wolf, Dance on a Moonbeam are some favorites) to help facilitate bedtime independence. She will often read for an hour, then turn off the light when she's ready. K. has a similar set up - she chooses her music, and can look at books in bed if she wants." </div>
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"The vanity in their part of the bathroom was installed lower, so K. (4 1/2) can reach the tap without a stepstool." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_69uo-CH7huezDSI0Vmq71f0YLMuFp3RvQmF3y4QvKK6UsUIWDrn3eWrBwvHTI1Lh46dDKCcChmbgxGVNWOoxyvv0oxUt80w2L_L0or_ZIJsS5n3yn72stuJ1dqXHtBeGptwenK7A1M/s1600/bathroom+sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_69uo-CH7huezDSI0Vmq71f0YLMuFp3RvQmF3y4QvKK6UsUIWDrn3eWrBwvHTI1Lh46dDKCcChmbgxGVNWOoxyvv0oxUt80w2L_L0or_ZIJsS5n3yn72stuJ1dqXHtBeGptwenK7A1M/s400/bathroom+sink.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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"The final pictures shows how a small space can be divided to provide privacy for two children who share one room. We have a curtain set up so that during the day it is open while at night it is closed to provide a sense of separateness."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj5xGXvC96bTvjnjTgT2AjlLjWrkowUkADfQEHQP06ouvy5JHZPpMom7J1GgrReT5r2rNRkUZdHWhEnFdPOeYdn7V4t0hIPjtGjLKES4Ci1pwscN6uYkENaICJSu7dp5su5GzZ5HXnOU/s1600/bedroom+privacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj5xGXvC96bTvjnjTgT2AjlLjWrkowUkADfQEHQP06ouvy5JHZPpMom7J1GgrReT5r2rNRkUZdHWhEnFdPOeYdn7V4t0hIPjtGjLKES4Ci1pwscN6uYkENaICJSu7dp5su5GzZ5HXnOU/s400/bedroom+privacy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks, girls!Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687753886015415368.post-88070071260085639112010-05-30T12:12:00.005-07:002010-07-23T06:44:36.374-07:00A Montessori baby gets a little older.........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We've been sent some new pictures from S.'s Mom. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This first picture is something that many of us have been discussing. Once the child is able to move by himself that is exactly what he will do.....especially at nap time! I'm not sure what the solution is but I'll do some more reading and ask a few questions and discuss what I find in a future post.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This next photo is of S. in his high chair. The initial cost of these chairs is quite high but the investment is worth it because the chair grows with the child. The beauty of this type of high chair is that it allows the child to be pulled right up to the table facilitating more participation in family life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stokke-highchair.com/en-us/tripp-trapp-highchair.aspx"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXjqiAeRtJjakpGDQk3k_ABc8qNfUB7p0EncMjRTOlAyfuH4uryOiq7f_vj1gzF__6xze9h5lsmlbNqlEqJUKsuv9rvySPRi5ag69OVp1fqGVhK68N_A0o062SlUiS4eQAV0Q96Gahv0/s400/the+chair.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lastly, here is a picture of M. banging on a tambourine. This sort of activity is essential to the development of a young child. Not only is he refining his fine and gross motor skills while making that lovely sound, he is also developing his sense of rhythm and, if Mom and Dad join in, is discovering how much fun music can be. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Note the cushions behind him. If he falls over, he won't hurt himself but, more importantly, they don't hem him in. Watching a child learning how to move (and they do this from birth) and then bunging him into a playpen the minute he can get himself from room to room throws up huge obstacles in his developmental path and can be immensely frustrating to that young child. Now before I sound too holier-than-thou, I tried a play pen with my oldest thinking it would help me in some of the household chores. Wrong! He was so upset that I soon abandoned the thing and did any chores with him in a sling or backpack. When he was older, he was usually right beside me helping.</div><br />
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Rock on, S.! <br />
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</div>Cynthia Dyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481191579068028308noreply@blogger.com5