Montessori Beginnings- outside

While looking for ideas on Montessori outside. I came across North American Montessori Center. They have a post on Outside Play for Preschools . Its worth taking a look.

In the post they talk about how unstructured or lightly supervised play can lead to more aggressive play along with some behavior problems. This is something I have begun to see with C and F.

Do you see that same thing with your little ones? I see it when he has too much free time.
What kinds of things do you do outside?

I forgot this important piece of childhood

I have been so busy with wanted the kids to have these awesome lessons, reading and planning and planning and reading that I forgot that kids just want to be their caregiver and interact with them. They want to play with each other but they also want me to play not just teach a lesson.
I need to stop stressing about making teaching to structured at or it will lose its fun it needs to be.

Montessori Beginnings- outside

I have been struggling with moving toward the Montessori way of learning because I thought of it as things that to be done mostly inside. We are a very outside family. From the moment they get up to the time I tell them it is time for bed we are outside.

In my teacher mind I am a paper, pencils, sit down way of thinking. (This is not at all how I learn though, or at least how I did when I was younger, I had to teach myself that in college.) In my mother mind lets get out, get dirty, and explore.

So I have sat back and thought about how to put this all together. I need a routine to follow the other one is not working and has not been in a while. We have been using this one:

7:00- 8:00 Drop off, breakfast, free play

8:00 after dad leaves circle time

8:30 outside

10:00 snack

10:15/30 explore: learn

12:00 lunch

nap

snack

outside

5:00 - 5:30 pickup

The only things we skip the explore learn time. Which in my mind would be inside the learning room ( that I still need to post new pictures of ) However we do this, they are outside building things, we take a daily walk, they swim much of the day. They play in the sand box, sand and water table, and dig in the mud. It is just not structured as I would like it to be. But with that I must plan..... So what I am looking for is outside ways of teaching and learning.

This will keep both age groups busy!! On rainy days we will be back inside. So I will need a plan for those. If you plan can you let me know. I would love to see what your plans look like.

Happy planning and playing outside!!!!

Learning/exploring room

I have decided to make a room for learning, exploring, and play. Thinking that I maybe able to contain some of the randomness and keep us all focused. I find them wandering around looking for something to do. If I give them something or we start playing then I wander off to work on house work.. This will keep all of us in the same spot for a while to learn.

So here is my issue-- This is the layout I was thinking about a corner for older and younger. A corner for reading. A wall for the calendar stuff. But where do I put the tables and shelves. I was thinking about a table under a window so they can sit and look outside at the birds. I just want the all to see.

Or does it not matter. Just get it set up. This is where I am heading and if it doesn't work or I don't like it then change it.

The kids and even M ( my dear hubby) are looking forward to this room.. So I ready to get started.

This room was R but I moved her stuff in with C and they like it. Thank Goodness. Loving it!

Adventures in Potty Training

R has gotten in the routine of sitting on the potty when she wakes up in the morning and at nap. She has gotten to where is will only be sitting for a few seconds before she pees.
There are only a few instances where she will say "pee pee" and go sit by herself on the potty and go pee. This only happens if she has no undies on. I let her spend much if the day that way but I worry about poop accidents. She is in undies a lot of the time, diapers at night and in the car.

Either way she is on her way. So proud!!!

Montessori Beginings

I have been reading a few books on Montessori teaching. Montessori From the Start and Montessori at Home! I am trying to figure out where to start. I went to Walmart and got a small shelf. Now where to put it. I'm thinking for now in the hall way between their rooms. I don't know if I like the shelves. Are they to short meaning the space between?

I think I just need to start. When I went to Walmart I also got some nuts,bolts,and washers for C (4 yr) activity. F (4yr) has expressed interest in the flower arrangement activity. I need to cut some flowers and bring them in for her. Do you use cut or real for yours. Today we had a talk about the activity cycle while we where putting together the shelf.

For those who don't know it's having the kids get out their floor mat or rug to create a work space. Have them carefully bring the activity to the work space and work. They then clean up and put the activity back where it is stored. To complete the activity circle they put the rug or mat back.

I plan to have the younger girls do the same they will need more help but I think they will get it. I think I am going to start them out with a sensory bin. I am just nervous about the mess. I think the older ones will want their chance at it too.

I am just starting to realize how much I worry about the small stuff. This will turn out alright the kids will like it, it will not perfect, they will get it and we will all enjoy it. Let's get started.