The Wonder Years

Movement on a Monday: Dancing and Drawing

2012-01-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

Lately, we've been pushing back the table in the dining room to make room for "ballet" dancing. I found and purchased a download of short ballet classics for children and my daughters have really liked dancing to the music.

They love dressing up and getting out the streamers.

The dancing helps get out some of that extra energy they have now that we aren't outside nearly as long as we are the rest of the year. I've noticed that extra energy seems to manifest itself around the 5 pm hour, just before dinner.

Having a little extra movement earlier in the day has helped make the "just before dinner hour" a little more calm and easier.

Today, we also got out the shaving cream for some drawing and writing. Since my oldest daughter is still perfecting a few of her numeral and letter formations, I was able to easily encourage some practice with the shaving cream.

Shaving cream is another alternative to writing in sand or cornmeal for letter and numeral formation. If my daughter wasn't sure about a letter, I would write it first, she would trace it and then make her own.

My daughters also drew in the shaving cream. The use of the shaving cream on a large surface allows for greater arm movements. The shaving cream and the smooth table surface also provides a great sensorial experience. This photo shows how my daughter was naturally drawing with both hands at the same time, which is a beneficial brain exercise. The shaving cream and the large surface naturally lend themselves to these types of movements. Of course, none of this matters to a 4 and 6 year old, they just care about having fun. And fun, it was!

Typical Wednesday

2012-01-18T19:34:00.000-08:00

After a somewhat atypical Tuesday, it was nice to get back into the rhythm of a typical Wednesday. Since the holidays, we've been slowly getting back into the routine. Baking day and cleaning day seem to always occur, no matter what, but we've been hit or miss with our drawing days, painting days, and craft days. To get started and back into the swing of things, I planned out the rest of the month including crafts, songs, finger plays, Montessori lessons and stories. I've found a little bit of planning goes a long way.

The unplanned parts of our day are left up to my daughters. Today, while my oldest daughter went to morning kindergarten, my youngest daughter played with the moon sand. After trying, and failing, at some of the internet recipes for moon sand, I ended up using some of their Christmas gift money to buy Moon Sand. In the past we've had an indoor (small) box full of sand for winter play but this winter we are just using the Moon Sand. Despite the expense, I don't think we'll go back to regular sand (inside) anymore. I find the Moon Sand far less messy, has a better texture and easier to shape than sand box sand.

My youngest daughter is getting so much better at independent play. At the start of the school year, she hardly knew what to do with herself while her sister was away at school. Now, she initiates activities and is able to play for a lengthy bit of time without even noticing my presence. Since reading How to Raise Your Spirited Child, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, I am now aware that she is an extrovert and so this change for her was not easy. I've learned that I need to schedule outings, play dates and in general be aware that she energized by being around other people and fades when that need is not met. (A totally foreign concept for an introvert like myself).

The craft we made today was found on pinterest. We cut our construction paper into heart shapes and then used baby oil and cotton swabs to create designs. (I do want to add- make sure you aren't giving baby oil to a child that may ingest it. It is unsafe for consumption.)

Both of my daughters really enjoyed this simple project. I loved the fact that I had everything on hand to make it.

The baby oil illuminates the designs when placed in the light. My youngest daughter taped the hearts to the front window. A little early for Valentine's day, but that's okay!

Our Beginner Reading and Writing Montessori Materials

2012-01-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

Before I get into sharing our materials and Montessori lessons we use and will use, I want to write a little bit about introducing reading and writing to children. A child's readiness to start reading and writing is developmental. It should not be rushed, introduced too early, or forced. As a mother and educator, I greatly resent the misconception that seems to be out there that a child should be reading and writing at age 4. In today's society there is a pressure felt by both parents and educators that children should be reading and writing as early as possible, that earlier means better later on. Growing up, I didn't read until first grade, many other countries do not introduce reading and writing until age 7, and much research has shown that reading too early can actually hinder literacy. I was so happy to find this this article in my inbox this morning from Waldorf In the Home, in regards to introducing reading and writing. I would encourage everyone to read it if you haven't because it successfully explains when and why a child is developmentally ready to start.

Montessori Beginning Reading and Writing:

I Spy

We began with "I spy." A game that my youngest daughter plays now. We set out 3-5 objects on the mat (objects as opposed to pictures because they are less abstract for the child). I say "I spy with my little eye, something that starts with the sound "F" (saying the sound NOT the name of the letter. If she picks up the fish, I say "You're right" if not, I simply say the sound again and slowly say "fish" emphasizing the F sound. My oldest daughter enjoys this game too, but I have her find the last sound in the word to make it a little difficult and work on those ending sounds.

Sandpaper Letters

I invested in some sandpaper letters (most of my materials come from Montessori Outlet or Alison's Montessori) These are used in conjunction with the the I Spy game. The child traces the letter (introduce 2 at a time, adding when those two are mastered), then the child draws the letter in a tray/dish of sand. I start with the letters of the child's name. Use the 3 period lesson to introduce the letter (if you google this term I'm sure it will come up).

The Moveable Alphabet

Once the child knows about 3/4 of the alphabet sounds, he/she is ready to start making words. It is easier for the child to create words rather than read words. The words to be used are phonetic and easily sounded out by the child. Whether you are using a moveable alphabet or a homemade version it is important that the letters be easily accessible and neatly arranged and organized. The first lesson would be to familiarize the child with the tray. The child takes one out, says the sound and returns it. The adult requests a sound, the child takes it out and returns it. Being familiar with the material will prevent frustration later when the child is ready to create words.

Objects and the Moveable Alphabet

During my Montessori training we were required to create most all of the materials. My professor felt it would help us familiarize ourselves with it, children often prefer handmade materials, and Dr. Montessori herself made most of the materials used in her classroom. I've collected over the years, purchased some and saved all of my materials. Many Montessori's divide reading and writing into color coded levels. Pink is the easiest (2 or 3 letter phonetic words), blue is next, and green is the most advanced with the most difficult words. I have a pink sticker on all of the phonetic material, as you will see. After the introduction to the Moveable Alphabet the child creates words. I have 4 boxes of objects (5 objects to a box). Each object is phonetic. My daughter (just starting this recently), chooses a box. We name the objects, she finds the sounds and creates the written word. The first time I sat with her and we worked through it, but after that we name the objects and I leave her to work independently so that she isn't second guessing or looking for me to answer and I'm not tempted to help too much. (Objects included in our boxes are: cap, elf, lips, dot, fox, pig, bat, rug, pan, ax, log, six, mop, bag, hat, ant, hen)

Moveable Alphabet and Cards

The next step after using the objects to create words, is using cards. Montessori always begins with the most concrete form, working to the abstract, and pictures are more abstract than objects. There are 5 cards in a box and they are laid out and named. The child is left to work independently to create the words. I created these cards myself. Often times I used clip art or purchased an inexpensive phonetic coloring book and cut out and colored the pictures and mounted them on cards. (Words for these cards include: rat, jam, pen, bus, log, leg, mix, hat, tub, hot, jug, fix, ham, cot, hop, bud, gas, hut, ox, cap) I have 4 boxes of these.

Matching Objects and Cards

The next step is without the moveable alphabet. The child matches objects and card. Just like previously, the child names the objects and works to read the card and find the match. Now, the child is reading. I have 5 boxes of these with 5 matches in a set. (Words include: sun, bib, peg, ant, can, cat, bug, bat, mitt, dog, mat, pin, nut, pig, web, rug, pot, fan, net, ram, man, bud, lid, jet).

Matching Cards and Words

The more abstract version is next, matching cards and words. I made these materials again using clip art or phonetic coloring books. I have 8 sets of these. Words include: pit, log, yak, gas, bed, hen, red, jet, pan, elf, pen ham, map, kit, dig, tug, well, bun, doll, bib, cot, mop, lid, bus, nap, van, mud, rag, egg, cab, pup, pig, ant, fin, wig, sip, peg, hen, ten, fig.

Matching Picture Sheet and Word Cards

The next lesson used is matching picture sheets and word cards. The significance of this activity is to prepare the child for reading from pages of a book. I created 3 of these sheets. Words included are: net, ink, cup, ant, ten, zip, sun, rug, mop, egg, box, pot, tag, mug, can, top, cat, pad, bun, mat, pop, bag, pin, hug.

The cards are stored on the back of the sheet with a simply added pocket.

Word Lists

Word lists are the next step in reading. No pictures or objects are used, just a simple list. I have seven of these. Words include: dab, fit, dug, fed, mix, rut, get, dip, fed, ban, get, sub, jab, dad, rim, met, bit, met, yet, lug, act, fed, rim, mud, fog, beg, tip, gap, pet, hip, tax, wit, den, vex, cut, sob, rip, fat, jag, elm, pet, ink, us, hot.

Sentence Cards and Pictures

Before this activity the child is introduced to Sentence Cards and Objects, however, apparently, I didn't get to making these in my training because I don't have it. Instead, shown here is sentence cards and pictures. The child reads and matches. Sight words like "the" must be introduced in some cases. I created these using a phonetic coloring book, coloring and pasting onto paper. I have 4 sets.

More Sentence Cards and Pictures

Booklets

The introduction to books is helped through the use of handmade booklets. These are easy to make and fun for the child to read. The mini books, contain 6 words, one word to a page. I made 4 booklets.

Secret Words

Secret words are both fun and purposeful. Each word is on a single piece of paper and folded closed. The box of words is presented to the child with quiet excitement. The child is told that the words are "secret words" to be read to herself, not out loud. The child chooses one, opens it, reads silently, and folds it back up. The purpose is to introduce silent reading. The child is learning and being encourage to develop the skill of silent reading.

Action or Verb Cards

Action cards are fun. They are contained in a small box and can be used with the adult and/or a small group. It can also be used like a game, where the child hides the card from the other plays preforms the action and the other's guess. Traditionally, verbs are written in red in the Montessori classroom. Another type of card (not shown here because I don't have it yet) is Environmental Cards/Noun Cards. For the beginner reader the verb and noun cards are phonetic, but later can be longer and non phonetic. An example of this set of cards would be: rug, wall, cup, mop, etc. The child would read the card, walk to the object and places it on the object as a label. Children enjoy moving all around the room labeling objects.

Books

We have a set of early reader books. Ours are Primary Phonics, set one. (They are put out by EPS or Educators Publishing Service)

Here is a photo of the boxes and containers I use to hold the cards and objects sets. Boxes work well, as well as recycled containers especially those that the child can see into. I store all of our pink materials in one plastic storage box. I know I haven't covered much writing and hope to do so as my daughter starts working on it. There is a lot more in this area. I hope I haven't missed anything or gotten anything wrong here, it has been awhile since I've worked with this material! My hope is that anyone interested has a clear idea of an introduction to reading in the Montessori classroom. For more info on the very beginning stages before the actual letters are introduced I found this book very helpful and I have a small list of activities under the Montessori Lessons List download (language section) found on the side of the blog.

Easy Origami Animals

2012-01-03T18:41:00.001-08:00

One present my daughter received for Christmas was this animal origami set (purchased from The Land Of Nod). I keep the set in our church "quiet" bag. The set comes with stickers to decorate the faces, but it is just as fun and easy to make one's own from scrap paper and draw faces, spots and details, which we'll do once we run out.

I chose the two most basic animals to share. You'll have to excuse the photos, they are a bit blurry. Before starting, make sure your paper is cut into 8 inch x 8 inch squares. The purchased papers come with dotted lines to indicate where each fold should be. It would be simple and maybe helpful to draw a light pencil line for a child.

Animal #1

Fold corner to corner to make a triangle

Fold one corner down to make an ear

Fold the other corner down to make an ear

Fold up the point at the bottom, behind the face.

Animal #2

Fold corner to corner to make the triangle

Fold the corner on the left in and the corner on the right in to make creases.

Then fold them behind the face.

Fold up the point at the bottom.

Lastly, fold down the very tip of that triangle to create the mouth/nose.

My daughter's are still learning how to fold the animals, but they do enjoy watching me do it slowly and then decorating. It makes a great quiet time activity.

Kitchen Drums

2012-01-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

We keep a set of rhythm sticks in with a basket of musical instruments for play. Spontaneous drumming on the kitchen trash lid this evening led me to pull out some pots and pans for some real drumming fun. She loved it and entertained us as long as our ears would allow. Simple fun!

Book Recommendation: Raising Your Spirited Child

2011-12-12T18:54:00.001-08:00

I'm not really a book reader. I never have been. Even though my second major and other degree is in English Literature, you would probably never know it based on the fact that it takes me forever to finish a book and they are few and far between now days. Most recently, however, I have been reading one book, Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.

Initially, I wanted to read this book because there have been many times when I have wondered if my daughter was a true "spirited" child. What is a spirited child? Well, according to the book it is a child whom is more intense, sensitive, preceptive, persistent and energetic.

In this short review and recommendation for the book, I will just say that I learned so much more than just the answer to my initial question. In the book the author writes about the importance of knowing our own temperament and our children's own temperament. Are we introverts or extroverts? While reading through the beginning chapters, I learned I am an introvert, which I did know, but what I didn't realize was that as an introvert, I recharge and energize myself through alone time, personal time, and space. (This explains my need for a solo run or walk on a daily basis.) I also came to the conclusion that my husband is an extrovert and what he needs to recharge and energize is very different than me- people, talking, and a lot of feedback. I found knowing this information has really helped me appreciate and support the different needs of my family members. The author goes into a lot of detail about the two temperaments and things we can do as parents to help our introvert or extrovert child be successful.

For anyone working with children, this book would be a worthwhile read. The information and experiences the author writes about sheds new light on behaviors we as parents, teachers or caregivers often find confusing or frustrating.

Scenes from the nature table: December

2011-12-06T11:10:00.001-08:00

December

Wool roving bird with felt beak

Wool roving angel

Wool roving pine trees with felt pinecones and pinecones from the woods

Hanging roving stars

Contribution to Rhythm of the Home Winter Edition-

2011-12-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to announce I am a contributor for the on-line magazine 2011 winter edition of Rhythm of the Home. In our home we have been having so much fun with shadow puppets and shadow play. In the winter edition play section of this issue, I share some of our ideas and resources for this fun activity. The winter edition just came out today! I can't wait to sit down and read through all the contributions, I find it always inspiring, resourceful and creative.

An Article Worth Reading

2011-11-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

The American Journal of Play has some great articles relating to children, child development and of course play. I wanted to pass along an article I found thought-provoking and a good read. The article is an interview with authors Hara Estroff Marano who writes for Psychology Today and author of A Nation of Wimps and Lenore Skenazy author of Free Range Kids and the popular Free Range Kids blog. Both woman candidly discuss their thoughts backed by research and experience on the issues of parental control, free play, over parenting, bullying, organized sports, parenting styles and parental fears.

The article is entitled Why Parents Should Stop Overprotecting Kids and Let Them Play- An Interview With Hara Estroff Marano and Lenore Skenazy. I found, that while I may not agree with all the thoughts presented (Home alone w/o a parent at age 7?) the article really encouraged me to evaluate my own parenting style and do some reflective thinking.

Montessori: Cards and Counters and Odd and Even

2011-11-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of my daughter using the Montessori lessons Cards and Counters and Odd and Even. I thought I would include the lesson plans here for anyone wanting to use this with their children.

Cards and Counters is the first lesson presented. It allows the child to match number with numeral. It also serves as a visual introduction to the second lesson which focuses on naming what is Odd and what is Even.

I have seen this lesson presented different ways with some adults demonstrating using a single line under the numeral. I was taught to present having the counters in pairs from the start, because it prepares the child for the odd and even lesson to follow.

Purpose: To match number with numeral

Behavioral Objective: The child will be able to match the number with the numeral.

Preliminary Exercises: Number rods, Sandpaper Numerals, Spindle Boxes

Materials: 55 counters (pennies, pebbles, flatten marbles, etc. of all the same size and color and cards labeled with numerals 1-10

1. Invite the child for the lesson

2. Remove the lesson from the shelf and carry to the table or rug.

3. Sit on the child's right side.

4. Have the child set out the numeral cards in order left to right.

5. Pick up one counter and place it under 1 toward the left side.

6. One at a time place two counters under the 2, side by side.

7. One at a time place three counters under the 3, with two side by side and the third toward the left under the pair.

8. Invite the child to finish the rest.

9. Replace cards and counters to the shelf and thank the child for the lesson saying "Now you may use the cards and counters whenever you wish."

Control of Error: The child will have exactly enough to finish if counters are placed correctly.

Cards and Counters: Odd and Even

Purpose: To teach odd and even in numeral and number form.

Behavioral Objective: The child will be able to identify odd and even when requested by the teacher.

Preliminary Exercises: Success with Cards and Counters

Materials: 55 Counters all of the same color and size

Numeral cards with numerals 1-10

Presentation:

1. Invite the child for the lesson with odd and even.

2. Take the materials to the rug or table.

3. Sit to the right of the child.

4. Request the child set up the cards and counters.

5. After all of the counters are laid out, point to the single counter under numeral 1 and say "This is odd."

6. Point to the pair of counters at numeral 2 and say "This is even"

7. Point to the single counter at numeral 3 and say "This is odd"

8. Continue to 10 (the child usually likes to join in) making sure to point out the single or pair.

9. Request: "Show me odd."

10. Request: "Show me even" Continue 5 more times

11. Touch any amount of counters and ask "What do we call this?"

12. Repeat randomly 5 more times asking "What do we call this?

13. Together replace the materials to the shelf and thank the child for the lesson. Say: "Now you may use the odd and even lesson whenever you wish."

Control of Error: There will be enough counters to complete the lesson when used correctly and the counters will alternate odd and even demonstrated visually because the odd does not have a partner.

Practice Tying: Fabric Scrap Leaves

2011-11-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

My oldest daughter is learning to tie but not quite there yet and my youngest daughter is practicing the first stages of tying. This activity suited both of them well.

I have been wanting to make one of those knotted wreaths for awhile now, but still don't have enough fall fabric scraps to complete one, so for today we used strips of left over felt to make leaves on bare branches.

I made sure to cut the felt into long strips so they would be easy for tying. My oldest daughter set off tying on her own while I worked with my younger daughter. We just used the first steps of tying- crossing the ends, pushing one end under and through, and pulling both ends to tighten it to the branch. The repetitiveness of these steps helped my youngest daughter practice and be successful on her own.

We had just enough felt scraps to bring a little color to the branches, just like the trees outside.

Made In China: Thoughts about Holiday Shopping

2011-11-07T17:25:00.000-08:00

The holiday shopping season is almost in full swing. Our local food store already has candy canes! I can't help but think about the commercial and material overload that is out there already. Every year I try to find the balance between needs and wants, quality and quantity, what we give and what we get. This year, I am trying, more than ever to support local people and our country's economy. I'm thinking about quality toys made with loving hands close to home. I'm thinking about the process involved and the people who made the products. I am thinking about natural products that once lived and grew not far from here. I am thinking about spending carefully and thinking about the future.

In a world where 80% of toys made are made in China, a toy shopper has to be pretty selective. I am not saying we don't have toys made in China or that I have never bought them, but this year and this Christmas I am making more of an effort to not purchase these products and to pass the word. I think we are all aware of the recalls from toys made in China (almost 1 million toys in one Mattel recall in 2007 and there have been 17 in the past 10 years). But it doesn't end there. Consider these photos from toy factories in China.

(For more photos visit this link)

There are terrible working conditions the employees endure which have lead to riots and suicides at the factories. There are cases of child labor, dangerous chemicals, unsafe working conditions and much more. When I think about my child opening a toy on Christmas day I don't want it to be the result of someone's suffering or mistreatment. I don't want a special toy to be one that was handled with plastic gloves by someone wearing a face mask or the 1,000th toy that person made that day. So this year I will probably have to spend a little more time thinking about holiday shopping and then more time being selective in my shopping, but I think it will be worth it.

Fun With the Pumpkin, After Halloween

2011-11-04T17:04:00.000-07:00

I am one of those people that love to decorate early for holidays and as soon as it is over, put it all away. It wasn't long into this week that we started using our Jack O' Lanterns for a hammering activity.

I set the golf tees and a small wooden hammer on the table outside. My daughters were very eager to start hammering.

Once the golf tees were all hammered in, we pulled them out and they went to work starting again.

Although golf tees are the easiest because of the tapered end, I found that sticks will work also, but you may want to insert them for the child first.

We also dyed pumpkin seeds using warm water, vinegar and food coloring. They sat overnight and dried the next day in the sun.

Ours were more of a tie-dyed effect- not sure why- maybe I soaked them too long before? Either way, we sorted them and they still looked very inviting.

They were glued onto paper for pictures.

Sometimes they were added to drawings.

We also strung them using a needle and thread. Stringing the seeds is best suited for an older child because of the hand strength it requires. My daughter ran out of steam and made a necklace for her doll instead of herself.

Those pumpkins have certainly provided more entertainment than just one Halloween night. Soon we'll retire the pumpkins to a chosen spot in the backyard , and just like last year, see how the changing seasons affect them.

This post was shared on:

Craft: Wool Roving Spider Webs and Beeswax Spiders

2011-10-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

We made some creepy spiders and spider webs this week as we anticipate the upcoming Halloween holiday. It was a simple and fun crafting time.

To make the webs, we found sticks during our morning outside time. I tied two together in an X shape (ahead of time so they were already for using) with embroidery thread. The other material needed is wool roving. My daughters looped and strung the roving around the sticks making a very tangled web.

After the webs were finished they chose a color of beeswax for the spider's body. Taking a small amount they warmed it in their hands and shaped the body. We chose a color of pipe cleaner for the legs and cut it into 8 small pieces. The pipe cleaner legs were inserted into the beeswax.

Another very small amount of beeswax created the eyes. The legs can then be bent in the middle so the spider can stand. Being familiar with Charlotte's Web, my daughters decided the spider needed some egg sacks as well.

My oldest daughter came up with the idea to wrap up a piece of beeswax in roving because this spider had caught a fly!

The Halloween spiders greet visitors at our window.

Although I think they look more cute than scary!

Using Songs and Rhymes With Children As Learning Tools

2011-10-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

The use of songs:

One of the great tools Montessori education uses is the use of songs to help children learn and memorize. Simple words and a simple tune can work wonders for helping a child (or anyone for that matter) learn and remember information. The use of songs in the classroom also makes learning more natural and appealing for the child. For those not familiar with some of the songs used in a 3-6 age classroom there are: Land, Air and Water, The Continent Song, and a few of our own The Solar System, and The Four Seasons

The use of rhyme:

Another tool for helping a child remember and recall is through the use of rhyme. The child's brain, far different from the adult's intellectual brain, works with images and pictures. If given an image or picture to work with the child will naturally be more interested.

Most recently, and what prompted me to write this post, was my daughter feeling discouraged because she repeatedly confuses writing numerals 6 and 9 at school. To help her remember we made up a little rhyme: 9 stands tall but 6 took a fall. As soon as she said the rhyme she got it and was so happy. Giving my daughter an image to work with helped her remember which way the six went and which way the nine went without having to ask an adult.

Songs for Spelling:

When my oldest daughter turned 4 she wanted to learn to spell her name. Since both my daughters have names 7 letters long, I found the easiest way to teach the spelling of it was through song.

Using familiar tunes helps everyone remember easily. The songs are to the tune of familiar nursery songs. My oldest daughter's name song is to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

(Click on this You Tube link if the video here isn't working. It wasn't working for me at the time I posted this.)

My youngest daughter's name song is to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

My daughters loved having their own special name songs and enjoy singing them for anyone who asks "What is your name?" or "How do you spell your name."

Encouraging Quiet

2011-10-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

We strive to have a quiet time everyday in our home. Not only does it provide a sense of predictability for my children but it also serves the need (all of our needs) to have a half hour of quiet, calm, and peace. Our quiet time is after lunch and after story time. In general, I like to have a quieter environment after lunch as we transition to books and stories and into our official quiet time. One way to help this transition as we clear the table from lunch is through soft music. Calming music can make such a difference, it really sets a mood. In our home this can mean singing favorite soft tunes, listening to the classical radio station or sometimes a cd. Lately, it's been this one. A few minutes of soft music helps us transition for what comes next.

Once we've transitioned to our quiet time I have found the use of audio stories to be helpful for encouraging quiet. A favorite of ours was found at our local library and is even better because the library had only the audio and not the book that went with it. We enjoy it even more without the book.

Another group of audio stories that we enjoy are narrated by Jim Weiss, who has an extensive and impressive list of stories he narrates on cd for all ages.

We have been enjoying his cd Tell Me a Story (click on the link to hear a sampling).

It is wonderful for all of us to get out the sleeping bags and find a quiet spot and lay on the floor and listen to a story or two during quiet time.

I try my best to have my daughters separated during quiet time because, well, it just won't be quiet if they are not. Whether they want to be in their bedrooms or on a sleeping bag in a different room, my only requirement is that they have personal space to relax and rest. They will bring a few toys to their room or quiet spot they have chosen and sometimes a few books. Once we have settled into our quiet spots, I set the kitchen timer (30 minutes) so that I am able to enjoy my quiet time as well.

If you have ways you encourage quiet times in your home please share, I would love to hear.

Hidden Pictures and a Magnifying Glass

2011-10-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Out on the shelf this week are some hidden pictures and the magnifying glass. I found some hidden pictures online (two from here). They work very well with the magnifying glass for both helping to find the hidden picture and for practicing how to use a magnifying glass. (I demonstrated first on how to hold it.) On the left side of the picture, I drew out what and how many the written directions dictate to find, so that my daughter wouldn't be dependent on me to keep repeating the information. What I've learned: Hidden pictures are fun; Magnifying glasses are fun; Hidden pictures with a magnifying glass are really fun!

On our activity shelf

2011-10-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share what I put out at the beginning of this week for my daughter to use. Most of it has been seen before on this blog, long ago, but the activities must be favorites because they've been well used.

Water and food color mixing is always fun. A drop of red and a drop of blue soon become purple! It is like magic every time. There is also room on the ice cube tray for experimentation which has happened more than once. I loved hearing my daughter say to herself out loud "I wonder what happens if you mix them all?" and then watching from a distance as she found out the answer.

Sewing a pumpkin. I drew a circle on the burlap and provided a vey dull needle.

Leaf rubbing using the pressed leaves we collect on walks. I leave a stack of papers on the tray so all my daughter has to do is lift one up, place the leaf down, and put the paper on top. The crayon rocks work well for this.

The results: Almost as pretty as what we have outside and have been enjoyed these past few weeks.

Today's Drawing Day

2011-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Today was our drawing day. Usually my daughters free draw in their drawing journals on this day, using whatever crayons, markers, crayon rocks, block crayons, or colored pencils they choose. However, today we changed our routine a bit by using these cardboard tubes to hold large amounts of crayons. It made for some fun and pretty pictures, as well as developmentally purposeful work.

The tubes were cut shorter from paper towel roll cardboard. I wanted them to be short enough so that the crayons and tube would stand and not tip over while being filled.

Part of the fun of this drawing activity is choosing the crayons to put into the tube. This too is a good exercise in colors and color variation as well as the pincer grip.

Earlier in the day, before we actually used the cardboard crayon tubes, we made drawing pads for under our drawing papers. I was impressed with the idea of having a drawing pad after reading this tutorial on how to make a drawing pad. I like the idea of using drawing pads for two reasons. The first reason is because it prevents marks from getting onto the table or floor or wherever it is the child is drawing and secondly, because there is a difference between drawing on an extremely hard surface verses a more "giving" surface. I tried it for myself and found that I could tell a difference and in fact much prefer a drawing pad under my drawing/writing paper. I found that it also creates a softer line which is visually more appealing. (Try it using a magazine or newspaper and then a hard table and see if you prefer one over the other.) We made ours with a few layers of newspaper and recycled large/thick easel drawing paper as a cover.

Here is a photo of my youngest daughter using the tube filled with crayons. This activity requires the child to use large arm movements (the bigger the paper the better, paper on a roll on the floor would be fun too) and significant hand strength to grip the large cardboard tube. These movements and muscles are more than what is typically needed in a regular drawing session. The purpose of the activity is not detailed drawing but more an encouragement of movement, lines and curves, and color.

My oldest daughter tried the activity without the cardboard tube also, just as fun, with a few less crayons. After our drawing time, I stored the new drawing pads next to our art cupboard so that they can be used whenever the crayons come out.

Art on the shelf this week

2011-10-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here are two activities that I have out on the shelf for use this week, both having to do with leaves.

Because we don't have one of those cool rainbow stamp pads, I chose to use paint for making multicolored leaves. We have a foam leaf stamp (good because it can be washed off after), a small paint brush, a jar for washing the brush after each color is applied and a sponge for brush dabbing and mess wiping. My daughters just dip the brush into the paint and apply to various areas of the stamp.

The leaves are very colorful and different every time paint is applied onto the stamp. I supplied large paper so that the stamp could be used multiple times.

Our playstand is set up for fall and it is the perfect spot for the googly eyed leaves I saw over at The Magic Onions last week. They are so simple and fun to make that I set up a tray for making them on the activity shelf.

We've been collecting and pressing leaves. I added some to the tray along with googly eyes, a hole punch (for a mouth) a small container of glue, and a small brush for applying the glue. We have these little leaf peepers all over the house!

Cardboard Laptops

2011-10-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

This morning a certain three year old (almost 4 soon!) really wanted her "computer" which is kept in the car and reserved for car rides only. There were tears and a whole lot of disappointment when she realized I was not going to budge on our rule. Remembering a supply of keyboard parts and a cord I had saved from our last computer I offered her the idea of making her own laptop. It didn't take long before both of my daughters were excited about creating cardboard laptops.

I found the keyboard parts, cut a rectangle from cardboard (using a piece of the flap that was already in the bent position), found a couple magazines (for the screens), a tongue depressor, gathered markers and found a sheet of craft foam for buttons (glittered no less and sticky on one side).

Once we had all the pieces, my daughters stuck the foam circles I had cut out onto the cardboard. They colored their tongue depressor and then we hot glued the tongue depressor down as a space bar and I glued the keyboard buttons on with the hot glue gun.

My daughters looked through a catalog for a picture and we found some printed text from a magazine to add on as the screen. They glued these on with a glue stick.

Lastly, I cut a cord in half so they each could have a piece and I used the glue gun to attach it.

My youngest daughter was very happy with the results and I haven't heard any requests for that "other computer."

My oldest daughter drew some extra buttons and liked the idea so much she made a tiny cardboard computer for her dollhouse family as well. Now here is a computer I can feel good about letting them use whenever they want!

Apple Prints and The Story of : The Little Red House With No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside

2011-09-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

Like many people, we have been enjoying the abundance of apples this time of year. We've been apple picking, applesauce and apple crisp making and this week we will be dehydrating apples too. With all this apple excitement going on, I also set up some apple print making following a short version of the star in the apple story. Here is the story I told. As I reached the end of the story I cut our apples open to find the star inside.

The Little Red House with No Doors  and No Windows and a Star Inside. 

Adapted by C.J.Brown

One fall day a boy named Peter was looking for something to do. His mother was busy baking in the kitchen and couldn't stop to play with him, so she suggested that he try to solve a riddle.

“Peter, “ she said. “Here is the riddle. I want you to find the Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside," his mother said.

Peter had never heard of such a house, and he had no idea where to go to find it. He put on his jacket and went outside.

He started to walk along the street looking at all the houses. All of the houses he passed had doors and windows and none of them seemed like the sort of house that would have a star inside.

Peter saw a little girl playing in the park. He decided to ask her if she knew about the Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside.

The little girl said, "I have never heard of such a house, but maybe my father knows. He is a farmer. He knows how to make the crops grow and when it will rain. Maybe he knows about the Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside."

Peter followed the little girl. They walked down the lane, over the hill and to a small white farmhouse. The girl's father was sitting on the porch.

"Daddy," said the little girl, "This is Peter. He is looking for a Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside. Do you know where he can find it?"

The farmer took off his hat and scratched his head. "I have heard of such a house once, but I never tried to find it. Maybe you should ask Granny. She is very old and very wise. Maybe she can tell you where it is."

Peter set off down the road looking for Granny's cottage. He finally arrived at Granny's gate. The old lady was sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch.

"Excuse me, Granny" said Peter, "The farmer told me that you might be able to help me. I am looking for the Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside. Do you know where it is?"

Granny smiled. "I have heard of that house, but I never tried to find it. Perhaps you should ask the Wind. He sees and hears everything."

Peter walked to the top of a high hill and called to the wind. "Excuse me, Wind, do you know where I can find the Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows and a Star Inside?"

"Yes-s-s-s," answered the Wind in it's gusty voice. "I know where that hous-s-s-se is-s-s. Follow me."

Peter followed the wind. It blew him this way and that, over the hill and down the other side. Finally, the wind stopped at an apple orchard. With a sudden gust, the wind shook an apple tree and down fell an apple into Peter’s hands.

The apple was very red. With it's stiff brown stem sticking up like a chimney it did look like a little house with no doors and no windows.

"But what about the star?" asked Peter. "Where is the star?"

Quickly Peter hurried home, running as fast as he could. He ran over the hill, past Grannies house, through the farmer’s fields and into the kitchen where his mother was baking.

“Well, did you solve the riddle?” asked Peter’s mother.

“I’m not sure,” said Peter. This apple is red like a small house, with a brown stem like a chimney and no doors or windows, but I don’t know if there is a star inside?” said Peter.

Peter’s mother took the apple from his hands and with her knife she cut through the center of the apple, and there inside was the answer.

My daughters really liked the story, especially at the end when I cut our apples open to find out if there really was a star inside.

The apple prints were also fun for them. We used a paint brush to brush on the paint.

We even found the stars in (most of) the prints.

Magnet Exploration :: Tin Can Robots

2011-09-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

I've recently joined Pinterest. Initially, I didn't think I would. I didn't like the idea of having to wait to get invited and I didn't think I would use it all that much. But, now I'm hooked like everyone else! It is such a great way to find and organize ideas and a wonderful resource for inspiration. Inspiration like these magnet play, tin can robots.

I found this idea while looking around pinterest and started saving caps and cans. Originally I saw Deborah's post on this idea via Pinterest and knew my daughters would like it. Ours is a little smaller scale so that it can sit on the activity shelf this week for play, however if I had the space I would love to have a large scale one like Deborah's.

I used small and large magnets. The smaller magnets were glued with a glue gun onto the outside of the caps (they won't stick if glued on the inside). I also glued magnets onto the flat marbles (is that what they're called?) and some corks. Also on the tray are metal caps to be used with the large magnets allowing for experiments with how the magnet can be used to attach the caps to the cans. And because I couldn't find a slinky, we made our own beaded wire spring by wrapping wire around a marker and adding beads for color. I am looking forward to seeing more robot creations throughout the week.

Out on the shelf this week

2011-09-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

This new set of activities were put on the shelves early this week. Between playing and helping me with housework (she is getting so good at folding laundry!), my youngest daughter can be found choosing these activities from the shelves to work on.

This is a dropper, colored water and wax paper activity.

The dropper allows for making many small water bubbles on the wax paper but when dropped close together they merge into one large bubble. Very fun.

The bubbles can also be slid around the wax paper by slowly dragging the dropper through them. And lastly, the water bubbles can be sucked back into the dropper and put back into the bottle, leaving very little to get wiped up with the sponge.

I set out a number of different sized lids for tracing circles.

Here is the garlic press, sponges and water activity. Details can be found in this post.

Contents: squash seeds, colored purple rice, green glitter, apple seeds,

green colored rice, elbow pasta, red colored rice, pink tissue paper

tinfoil circles, yarn, blue tissue paper and green tissue paper

This is the most enjoyed activity that is out. This mini muffin tin, turned collage tray holds all sorts of fun materials for collage making. I put squares of poster paper next to the tray on the shelf. We use white glue in a very small jar (the sponge stuck into the top serves as a cover) and the glue is applied with a paint brush. The sponge (for wiping sticky messes) and the paint brush get washed off after the activity is done. All of the glueing is done on a plastic cutting mat.

I don't even remember how many collages have been made, but both of my daughters enjoy the process every time. I think the collage tray (contents rotated periodically) will be on the shelf for long while!

The Importance of Dress Up and Role Playing

2011-09-18T13:12:00.001-07:00

This week we celebrated my oldest daughter's sixth birthday. Before this special day arrived I really thought about what she would enjoy for gifts this year. I came to the conclusion that one area of play my daughters love but could use more of is dress up /dramatic play.

In the world of early education dress up and dramatic play have proven to be significantly important areas of play for young children. The young child is drawn to this type of play naturally because of the child's need to imitate the adults around him or her. Dress up and role playing are a natural desire and therefore satisfy a natural need in the child. Because of the child's personal experiences he or she has, over time, witnessed the roles of others in the environment, whether it is mother, father, doctor, teacher, or mailman. During role playing the child is repeatedly practicing the social rules and rules of that character including how they talk, move, the language they use, the manner in which they communicate and more. It is during the role playing process, that the child is learning to control his or her own impulses and preferences so that he/she can take on the role of the character. Educators have found that a simple game of dress up is actually helping a child learn life long lessons of impulse control and self regulation.

Our doctor's bag was found on Etsy and with the help of the two medical professionals in our extended family I was able to fully stock the bag with everything a doctor would need. It generated a lot of interest and excitement from the minute it was opened and has proven to be lots of fun.

The possibilities that occur with role playing and dramatic play seem endless and seem only limited by the child's imagination. The props used for this role playing activity also happen to fit into the bag and make cleaning it up and keeping it organized very easy.

Montessori This Week

2011-09-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

I usually try to put together Montessori lessons or any other activity after my daughters are asleep. I find that once they see me getting into materials, closets, etc., they want to get involved too. This weekend I neglected to get together some Montessori activities for the week so I found myself, Monday morning, going through the closet and putting things together. As a result my daughter picked mostly old favorites she wanted to do.

This activity was new to my youngest daughter. I tried the golf tees, styrofoam and hammer before but found it so messy. This time I cut smaller pieces of styrofoam and used a tray with a good edge. It actually is working well and one of her favorites. I also cut about 5 more styrofoam pieces that sit on the shelf next to the tray so that once the used one has reached it limit she can easily get a new one.

(This is really as messy as it got.)

Mystery bag- two of each shape, one in the bag, the other held in the hand. We took turns finding the matches.

Open and Close- she insisted on this activity because she loves the little dolls that hide inside. I need to come up with a more challenging version. (Maybe for next week!)

In addition to this we also used a metal inset and knobless cylinders for stacking.

Recycling Containers for Water Play

2011-09-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

We have always had a water play tub which is stored under our kitchen island. It is filled with lots of fun recycled containers, sponges, and kitchen gadgets which my daughters love to use, especially during the winter months. Here are a few recent additions to the water play tub, using recycled containers and the concept of "holes."

This one was a little plastic pitcher that was missing a top. It had been sitting in the cupboard for a long time. I decided it would be perfect for drilling a hole into and inserting a straw.

For this container, I used scissors to cut two small holes, the size of two corks.

And lastly, I used a drill to make holes completely around this recycled container.

All three of the containers were a big hit with both my daughters.

My youngest daughter liked the idea of being able to direct the water with the straw.

The corks worked as plugs and were fun to pull out.

And the container with all the holes was like a fountain. I love it when they can have this much fun and it didn't cost a thing!

Montessori Morning Activities- Starting a new rhythm

2011-09-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of kindergarten for my oldest daughter. Kindergarten in our town is a four day program with 3 half days and one full day. Before today I thought a lot about what this new schedule would mean for my youngest daughter (turning four next month). I had no idea what she would want to do with her sister now off at school four mornings a week. I thought about keeping to our typical morning play routine and then I thought about setting up activities, but ultimately I held off from doing anything to see what naturally occurred. What naturally occurred was a request for activities and to do something me. Being completely unprepared, I went to our Montessori closet and put together a few activities and just like that a new part of our morning rhythm was established.

We played a favorite game with the Mystery Bag- always fun.

She used the dropper, colored water and suction cups.

And when she finished, she especially like my demonstration of dipping the corner of the sponge into each suction cup so the sponge "can drink it up (slurping sound included)"

She practiced pouring into different sized containers.

And she wiped up spills.

My daughter worked on all of the activities and then we made and she used playdough to finish off the morning. I found the best place to store the activities was with the table they would be used with. Using the top two shelves of a bookcase I placed the activities where she could reach them. There are five there now and I feel like this is a good amount. It's simplicity makes it inviting and accessible for her. My plan is to change the activities on a weekly basis and to have mostly practical life and sensorial activities on the shelves. Below are close up photos of the activities I (quickly!) put together for this week.

Pouring Water Into Different Sized Glasses

Transferring Marbles Using Strawberry Huller

Using A Dropper

Metal Insets: Circle

We are also back into our non-summer rhythm with Monday Painting, Tuesday Journal Drawing, Wednesday Craft, Thursday Baking, and (new) Friday Montessori Activities (for my kindergarten). All this in addition to songs and finger plays again. I like the lack of routine the summer months bring us but feel so energized and excited to be back to our former rhythm once again.

Making Children's Flannel Board Pieces

2011-08-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

Our flannel board has been unused for awhile now. I took it out the other day and decided it needed some new pieces to go with it. Incidentally, in case you haven't made a flannel board before, I've found the method I prefer and use is to simply buy a stretched canvas painting frame, cover it with flannel and use a staple gun to attach. Flannel boards are wonderful to have and can be used for a variety of purposes. We use our board for storytelling. In the past I've made characters from the story and used the pieces to tell the story. Afterwards, I would leave the pieces out for my children to play with and retell themselves the story. These new pieces I've made inspire my daughters to create their own stories or if they request one from me, I too can use them.

When I saw this fabric at Joann's I knew my daughters would be excited about having it as part of our flannel board. I purchased 1/2 a yard (more than enough) and cut out the shapes, leaving enough space to cut out around them again. (This photo is of extra play scrap fabric so don't cut this close though.) The other material needed to make these pieces is stiff fusible interfacing (the iron on kind, I got a medium weight and made sure it was stiff enough so the fabric wouldn't be floppy.)

After I cut out the fabric shapes I then laid them on top of a square of interfacing about the same size. Next, I followed the directions for ironing on the interfacing, which really was just ironing them together.

Lastly, I used pinking scissors to cut again around the shape for a clean edge. The interfacing keeps the fabric stiff and attaches easily to the flannel board. With plenty of new pieces to play with now and some new ones to make the flannel board is active again!

Sun Prints

2011-08-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

I recently had a great trip to our local Goodwill store. It must be due to the summer months because that store was packed and I came home with this super large empty frame, a drawing easel and the little crate (on wheels) seen below the frame. After reading a link my sister had sent me on sun prints, I checked out Dharma Trading and discovered they sell sun paints! These paints, which react to the heat of the sun, are called Setacolor by pebeo (purchased from Dharma Trading. We used the transparent, smallest size, which sells for $3.60 each in Sky Blue and Lemon Yellow.) The whole activity was fun and we made some colorful artwork for our walls in the process.

To use the paints, I mixed 1/4 cup of water with 1/8 cup of paint for each color. I taped a large garbage bag over the picnic table so the paint wouldn't bleed through. Before painting we collected flowers, stems, leaves, and branches to use in the process. Next, we sprayed the 100% cotton cloth (which I prewashed and ironed) with water until it was wet.

The cloth was painted with the two colors and sometimes mixed to make green. After we finished painting the fabric, we placed the plants on top, making sure to gently press down the leaves. It took about half an hour in the sun until it was dry and ready to remove the plants.

While we waited for the large artwork to dry my daughters worked on smaller pieces of cloth. We added a dropper to use (because they love droppers) and the colors mixed even more.

They loved running around the yard gathering plants and bringing them back for the artwork.

The colors spread easily with the foam brushes and we only ended up using about half the paint.

The large cloth was attached to the frame with a staple gun and hung on the playroom wall. The plants with leaves make the biggest impact since they can attach well to the wet cloth. Sticks and branches didn't work as well. We placed a small sunflower at the top and it looks just like the sun.

Other pieces of fabric were put into embroidery hoops to hang. The colors are so cheerful and bright.

Leftover fabric was cut into squares and added to our fabric scraps for play.

Loose Parts Play Indoors

2011-08-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

"Loose Parts," is a term that may sound unfamiliar for some but we've all witnessed "loose parts play" and most likely participated in it as a child.

Loose Parts Play: Fabric Scraps

The term "loose parts" refers to an object that can be used alone or combined for play. A loose parts play object has no set of specific directions and can be manipulated by the child to allow for both physical and creative experimentation. The term loose parts can include natural objects not intended to be used as toys and also man made objects intended to be used as toys (like blocks) in either case they are open ended materials. There are many advantages for including loose parts in a child's play environment. Loose parts encourage creativity, problem solving, natural exploration, and when used by the child, child directed learning and play.

We have a non-toy loose parts cupboard in our home. It isn't very big and isn't too full (purposely!), but it is used daily and holds my children's favorite loose parts play materials. Two words of caution I would add to any discussion of loose parts play indoors: Safety- for a child younger than three (everything in the mouth stage child) make sure loose parts are large and not a choking hazard and Warning- loose parts will appear all over the house (or at least they do in our house!) so be ready to step on them when you least expect it or vacuum them up when you least want to.

I keep the loose parts in small baskets that I typically find at goodwill. I try to keep the cupboard organized and the materials easily accessible to find and retrieve. Keeping the baskets small allows for a limited and manageable supply of loose parts. I find it is better to have too few than too many, especially for clean up.

Inside the cupboard we have rocks, pinecones, and wooden containers.

Shells, a nesting doll (used to hold and hide many things) and small colored sticks

Fabric squares

A few pieces of yarn, mini clothespins, pipe cleaners (because tying can be difficult) and wool roving.

And that's it. Not a whole lot of stuff but just enough to encourage creativity and child directed play. Here are some of the ways they are used and enjoyed.

Fabric Squares

Yarn and Fabric Squares

Fabric Square

Fabric Squares For Land and Water

Containers and Wool

Wool, Blocks, and Planks

The possibilities for supplies and uses are endless and only limited by creativity. Loose parts don't have to be small either. Play silks, cardboard boxes, large lids from containers, thrifted pots and pans, beanbags and more. Please do share what is popular with your little ones, I would love to know! Also, to share and inspire, I've started a flickr group called Early Childhood Loose Parts Play if you care to share your photos of loose parts play and join.

A Simple Children's Clothespin Bag

2011-07-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

Our inside clothesline (used for both play and work) needed a clothespin bag. I wanted something simple, functional and attractive. In the past we've used a basket on the floor or attached the unused clothespins onto the lines. I came up with a simple solution using an extra doll dress and a few stitches from the sewing machine.

First, I removed the snaps from the back of the dress. I then stitched the neck closed at the very top, left a large opening for a child's hand to fit into the middle of the dress, and stitched from the middle to the end closed. Lastly, I sewed the bottom of the dress together to create the "bag."

The clothespins stay inside the bag and are easily accessible through the opening in the back of the doll dress.

We've hung the clothespin bag using a doll hanger.

However, it looks equally as cute hanging by clothespins too!

Craft: Sail Boat Creating

2011-07-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Our nature table has been overdue for a change, so we made little seashell sail boats to put at the nature table for July.

To make the sails I cut a diamond shape from paper and my daughters decorated with crayons.

We then used glue and folded it in half onto the toothpick. A ball of beeswax was used to attach it to the shell.

My daughters wanted to see if they actually would float so we set up a dish with water. They floated and then sank. Maybe we used too much beeswax? Next, we then decided to make beeswax boats that would stay afloat.

Outside we got a large pan of water, added sand, branches (with a beeswax base and rocks to hold them upright) and floated the boats.

With a little wind they were sailing in no time. Flower petals and more sand and rocks were added creating the perfect setting for the boats.

Making a Summer Flag

2011-06-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

My daughters love flags. With the fourth of July coming up and with summer in full swing, I thought "we should really make some flags this year!" After some searching on the internet I found Dharma Trading sells small nylon flags. I purchased two flags ($1.50 each) and we were ready to go. Nylon dyes the same as silk so we followed the same kool-aid process we used to dye our playsilks.

To dye the flags, I purchased different colored packets of kool-aid and each of my daughters chose a color. My oldest daughter wanted to tie dye her flag using rubber bands to create decorative circles. My youngest daughter chose a solid background and wanted to decorate her flag using permanent markers.

I heated up the water in the microwave until "very hot." I added a splash of vinegar and my daughter added the packet of kool-aid.

I have never tie dyed anything in my life, so we just knotted the fabric with rubber bands in different places.

The flags were added into the kool-aid, water, and vinegar solution and stirred around until it was the desired shade. I rinsed the flags in cold water until it ran clear (not very long).

The flags were then hung up to dry.

We purchased some 3/4 inch dowels from the hardware store that fit perfectly (if they hadn't fit I was planning to hot glue them on but it wasn't necessary).

The summer flags are posted in front of the sandbox. They pull them out of the ground when they want to play with them and I simply put them back into the ground, hammering it down with a rock, when they are done!

A Tour of the Playroom

2011-06-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

I recently rearranged the playroom. The rearranging of the playroom seems to happen periodically throughout the year. Whenever I find things not working (which usually involves lack of space) or find that my daughters aren't spending much time in it (playing in other areas of the house instead), then I feel the need to rearrange. Whenever I rearrange there is an immediate interest in the playroom again (usually while I'm in the process of rearranging, which is why I sometimes will wait until after my daughters are asleep to move things). Despite the frequent rearranging I am careful to keep some things the same. The large pieces in the room may move but I try my best to keep the baskets of toys in the same spots on the shelves, items in the same cupboard, and toys stored under the same play stand. It can be very frustrating and confusing for anyone to not know where a toy was moved to or where it goes when it is time to clean up. Keeping the shelves organized by not rearranging the contents helps provide stability amongst the bigger changes.

This is our playroom. We live in a three bedroom ranch style home. My daughters share a bedroom so that the other bedroom can be used as the playroom. The bedrooms are not big (by my standards or big enough I should say) so space is limited. I try to be careful not to over fill the space and at this point I feel like we have just enough in this little playroom. It can be difficult to balance toys that I value, toys we are given and toys that are routinely used and it took awhile to figure it all out. There are a few toys that are stored in the closet and when my daughters ask for them I bring them out.

This play stand is often used for playing store, a desk for an "office", a table and probably many other things I don't know about. Sometimes a play silk hangs from the top bar to create a little home behind it in the kitchen area.

On the other side of this play stand is a vintage phone, tea party props, a cash register for "store", a basket for blankets, an empty basket for using as a suitcase or picnic basket, and a crate to hold the doll clothes.

Across from the play stand is the kitchen/house play area. The high chair, baby carriers, and kitchen make up this little corner.

The play kitchen holds dishes on the top, pots and cooking utensils on the counter, a small baking sheet with play cookies and a muffin tin with play cupcakes inside the oven, and a basket of play food and a basket of play ice-cream scoops behind the curtain. Items are always returned to the same spot at clean up time so that each is easy to find for the next playtime.

Next to the kitchen, as part of house play, is the doll area. A soft rug for sitting or changing a baby, and the cribs to put them to sleep. Sometimes if I'm cleaning up and notice a doll lacking clothing or laying half in a crib, I will stop and dress the doll and neatly tuck it into bed. My daughters always notice when I have taken time to dress a doll and arrange it in a high chair or crib sometimes placing a bottle or play food with it. Doing this models a caring attitude, the kind of attitude I want them to have about their belongings and others. Next to the cribs is a small trunk for dress up clothes. This is where the dresses, shoes, hats and accessories are stored.

The train table. It takes up a significant amount of space but I like the fact that toys can be left out on it so play can continue whenever. Having an area where toys are up of the floor is helpful, that way we aren't tripping over them, they don't get lost as easily, and if someone spends significant time building something it doesn't have to be taken apart and put away at the end of play.

Under the train table is a large basket holding more dolls and a few special stuffed animals. The box on the left holds purses and bags. Baskets and boxes are good in the fact that they help regulate quantity. The bag and purse box is pretty full so that we know if we are given more we need to go through it and use the "one in- one out" rule.

We also have a music corner in the room. The bell collection (still growing), little piano, and a basket of instruments sits in the cupboard.

On top of the music cupboard sits a basket of knitted bean bags and our handmade streamers. These two items are great for movement whether it is moving to music they are creating or music they ask to listen to from cd.

Doll dresses hang from the play stand.

Large baskets under the play stand hold a collection of song birds and the pink basket holds a variety of different sized balls. Having different styles and colors of baskets helps for quickly identifying the location of toys.

And now the tour is complete, thanks for stopping by!

Craft :: Cookie Cutter Wool Wet Felting

2011-06-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

We used some colored wool roving to make these star shapes recently.

The materials needed were easily gathered from around the house. A pencil or dowel, very warm soapy water in a small bottle (we used a small spray bottle container), colored wool roving, a cookie cutter, a face cloth and a flat container to work in.

We tried both a heart and star shape but found the star to have a better outcome. A folded face cloth was placed at the bottom of the work surface in the container. The cookie cutter was placed on top.

The cookie cutter was stuffed with roving. With so many color choices we ended up making lots of stars.

The warm soapy water was gently poured on top of the roving until it was well saturated.

Next, it was time to agitate the wool with an up and down motion. The eraser end of the pencil worked well and we sometimes used our fingers to poke the wool too. After a few minutes of poking, I took the wool in the cookie cutter over to the sink and rinsed it in cool water, then they were blotted with a towel and left to dry.

After the stars were dry I trimmed any messy edges and strung them to hang from one of the knitting tower garlands.

Now my daughters have some new bedroom decor that they can enjoy looking at and enjoy knowing they made themselves!

Bubble Fun With Kitchen Utensils

2011-05-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

We experimented with bubbles and kitchen utensils on one of the sunnier days we had this week. Bubbles are always fun for my daughters but they really enjoyed trying out some new ways of blowing bubbles. In fact, they enjoyed it so much they went through an entire giant bottle of bubble solution and made bubbles for about an hour.

Here are the kitchen tools we used for making the bubbles. Cookies cutters, particularly the ones with some sort of handle, a spatula, a small whisk (easier than a large one for getting the solution onto the whisk) a slotted spoon, and a baster with the top removed. (I tested them all beforehand to make sure they would work.)

I put the bubble solution into a shallow container large enough for both of them to use at the same time.

The cookie cutters and biscuit cutters worked really well. The larger the better.

They really produced a lot of good sized bubbles.

The baster was a fun one to blow into and watch the bubbles come floating out. My daughters dipped the large end (the end where the bulb had been removed) into the solution and then blew on the other end.

The spatula was a big success. It was placed into the dish of solution and then could be blown on to make lots of bubbles at once.

Not the best picture, those bubbles move fast and so do my children! But trust me it worked well.

My oldest daughter really enjoyed holding the spatula and spinning around to produce the bubbles. Not to mention swatting her sisters bubbles with the spatula. (Which reminds me, I've also heard fly swatters work great for bubbles too , we haven't given that a try yet.)

The little slotted spoon made lots of smaller bubbles and was just as fun.

And lastly, not a kitchen utensil but, we tried our hand at making bubbles with weeping willow branches. After they were soaked a bit, they were very flexible and could be held and submerged in the bubble solution.

They made the biggest bubbles of all. Next time I think we'll try some bubble making with string and sticks, it looks like a lot of fun.

Painting Day :: Objects, Hands and Finger Painting

2011-05-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

My daughters asked to have finger painting today instead of the usual watercolors. I thought it was a great idea, especially because it came from them. The sensory experience of finger painting is almost irresistible to their little hands. They smear the paint, pat the paper, rub and dip their fingers in paint and then all over the paper. It definitely utilizes more arm, hand and finger movement than painting with a paint brush!

We also added some objects to the process, the ones in the photo were the most successful. I put their paint in the metal egg trays that I once found in the thrift store and they used lids, bolts, nuts, suction cups, yarn and wooden golf tees.

Adding the objects was a big hit. The large nuts and bolts made large circle prints and are big enough to handle in the slippery paint.

There was a lot of experimenting, paint play and fun.

And some colorful pictures at the end.

The Importance of Uninterrupted Time

2011-05-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

In my Montessori training I was introduced to the concept of a "work cycle." In short, Dr. Montessori taught the importance, backed by her own observation and study, of giving children a lengthy period of time, three hours to be precise, of uninterrupted work time. This period of time was determined by Dr. Montessori as the required amount of time for a child to progress into the most in depth concentration and intellectual exploration, which then results in the most significant progression and growth. Dr. Montessori taught that not only will this lengthy, uninterrupted time lead to the most intellectual growth, but equally important, at it's conclusion it leaves the child with a feeling of peace and calm satisfaction. In my own observations as a stay at home mother, I have often wondered if a "work cycle" is the same as a "play cycle?" Montessori did say that "play is the work of the child." I believe they are one in the same.

Dr. Montessori elaborated a bit on the work cycle when she observed reasons for such a lengthy work time, I too make these same observations with my own children. Montessori taught in the beginning of the work cycle a child will choose (or sometimes wander until something catches his attention) and work with an object for shorter periods of time. They play and work but it changes from one to the next as their shorter attention dictates. I see this almost every morning in our home. We have playtime in the morning as soon as breakfast is finished. My daughters will wander and start and change activities more frequently. It is at this time that they haven't found that activity that will carry them through the morning. Montessori then taught that as the work cycle continues, the child displays a false sense of fatigue. It is at this point the adult questions the cycle and often ends the cycle to change activities- therefore ending play/work time. Montessori taught that this false fatigue is instrumental in allowing the child to move to the most important work to come. Yes, this is the time when as a mother I wonder if they are actually going to find an activity they can stick with. Sometimes they ask for a snack (snack is whenever they want it during the morning allowing us to continue the cycle and not interrupting the most important time), and sometimes they just continue to move to the next activity. Montessori said it is after the false fatigue that the child will find the activity that he/she will delve into with great concentration and focus- almost like everything else was a warm up for the work/play to come.

This usually happens at the last third of our play time. It is at this point they have found the activity - the activity that they are so focused on, using so much creativity and attention that they are immersed in it. And finally, Dr. Montessori observed at the conclusion of the cycle the child is at peace with a calm satisfaction and content, as if rested. One of the reasons we don't run errands or have other planned interruptions in our morning is because I guard this time as a very important part of our day. If my children get the entire play/work time, uninterrupted, I know we will have a better day. I see the concentration, the peace, the focus, the creativity, the lengthening of their attention and in all, the important work that is done when I give them a long, uninterrupted time for play and work each day.

Craft: Another Fairy House

2011-05-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

My daughters have really enjoyed the previous fairy house we made which sits outside in a flower bed. They often bring flowers to decorate it, add moss around the base of it and fill a small bottle cap with water "for the fairy" which they leave on the doorstep. We decided making one more would be a nice addition.

We used an unfinished birdhouse and then gathered fallen bark, sticks and pinecones while on a walk.

Scissors cut pieces of bark.

They attatched pieces like a puzzle while I used the glue gun.

Small rocks were dropped inside to weigh the house down. It's in the flower bed and ready for someone to move in!

Making a Watercolor Artwork Frame

2011-05-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

This artwork frame was made to hold watercolor paintings that my children create. I wanted something similar to the (very difficult to get and expensive) beautiful traditional Waldorf artwork frames. I purchased the frame unfinished and added a backing so that artwork can be easily slid in and out to rotate each child's paintings.

The unfinished frames were found in the crafts/unfinished wood area of Walmart. First a coat of light stain was added to the wood and after it dried beeswax polish was rubbed over the frame. Hanging hardware was attached for hanging.

For the backing, I cut cardboard and using a staple gun, I stapled the cardboard onto the back of the frame. Depending on the painting's size some required trimming and then easily slid into the back of the frame.

The frames look nice in a play area where we can all admire the watercolor paintings that my children enjoy making so much.

And when we are ready for a change they can be easily changed out and still saved of course for projects and crafts!

Backyard Play :: Water Play Accessories Board

2011-05-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

With warmer weather we have our water tub out for play. I added this water accessories board and it has been a big hit with my daughters. The board serves as a place for buckets to sit on, tubes to connect to, and containers to hang from.

The board was sitting unused in our shed and I started by drilling two holes, one to hold the aquarium cleaning tube and the other for the soda bottle. (I taped the top of the soda bottle with packaging tape for safety.) I found an empty plant container with the holes in the bottom and nailed it onto the board and added another nail to hang a metal pail from. We added a fish net for scooping as well.

Having the board has added to the enjoyment of water play, which my daughters already love. It is easily removable and can be changed out to hold different water accessories as we experiment with different containers.

Wool Roving Butterflies

2011-04-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

We have a seasonal mobile in our playroom. It changes with the seasons and we add to it using crafts that we make. In addition to some birds we've had hanging, we just added wool roving butterflies we made on craft day.

The roving butterflies are colorful, happy, and very spring-like. They were also fun and easy to make using just a few supplies.

The butterflies are made from colored wool roving, colored beads, and pipe cleaners.

We started by cutting the pipe cleaner in half. Then each of my daughters chose 6 beads.

Next, they picked what color roving they wanted and folded it. Each end was folded into the middle, with the ends overlapping.

The pipe cleaner was bent in half and the roving placed in between. Lastly, we twisted the pipe cleaner a few times and trimmed the ends of the pipe cleaner if it was too long.

The butterflies look good both hanging and attached to the branch mobile.

I used a needle and thread, threading under the pipe cleaner, so the butterflies could hang.

My daughter also asked to attach one to a dowel to use for play and puppet play.

Numbers and Counting: Montessori Bead Work Lessons

2011-04-25T19:11:00.001-07:00

Montessori education uses beads in much of the math curriculum. Beads are first used for counting, and later adding, subtracting, skip counting, multiples, division, place value, and units. The use of beads are a wonderful tool for teaching many mathematical concepts in a concrete- see and touch- way. The other great thing about the use of beads is that the materials can be handmade at home for the cost of just beads and wire. For someone who wants to use Montessori math lessons at home but can't afford all of the math materials, I've found the beads to great resource and substitute.

This is our handmade Short Bead Stair set. As we prepare for my oldest daughter's start of public school kindergarten this fall, we are slowly going through some of the Montessori math and language curriculum so she can get a solid understanding of concepts she will be exposed to during the kindergarten year. It took only a few minutes to put the stair together using small pliers, wire and beads and my daughters enjoyed helping. Traditionally, there are set colors for each amount (check an online Montessori catalog to see) however I chose from what we had, with the exception of the ten bar which is yellow/gold. It makes sense to make it yellow if you intend to continue on with more advanced bead math work.

This lesson was a review for her since I introduced it much earlier (appropriate for age three and up). To introduce the work, the beads are removed from the container and placed randomly on the mat. The adult finds the one bead bar and asks the child to count it, it is then placed towards the top of the mat. Similarly, have the child count each bar to build the triangle. The objective is that the child will be able to independently sequence the beads in quantity and graduating size.

After introducing the short beads stair, a later lesson we've done (although not a traditional lesson) is matching the beads with the numerals. Again, they are placed randomly on the mat and then matched together.

The beads are counted and then the numeral is found. (If you spot the mistake in this picture it is my fault- I quickly put them back out to take a picture when we were done and I wasn't a careful counter!)

The most recent lesson we have been working on is Teaching the Names of Quantities 11-19

The objective of this lesson is for the child to see the amount, hear the name, and count the beads. The purpose is to teach the child the names 11-19 in association with quantities and to enable the child to recognize them as separate numbers. The use of the ten bar is significant as an early introduction to the units: ones and tens.

For this lesson, it is helpful to have made 9 ten bars. The ten bar is placed on the mat and the child is asked "How many is this?" The child answers "10". To the right, the 1 bar is placed and the adult says "Ten and one is eleven." This phrase is repeated a few times and then another ten bar is placed on the mat under 11. The adult then says "Ten and two is twelve" and so on, just introducing 11, 12 and 13 for the first lesson. The adult can then say "Show me 12. Show me 11..." and then isolating one set and asking "What do we call this?" This method, called the 3 period lesson, assesses the child's understanding. On another day more quantities are introduced until 11-19 have all been introduced. Following this lesson is when quantities and numerals are introduced - more on that later!

Earth Day Post: Cloth Instead of Paper

2011-04-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping this post will inspire anyone who has not made the switch from paper to cloth. For about two years now we've been using cloth napkins and towels instead of paper. Soon after having my second daughter, I realized just how many paper towels and napkins we were going through. Between a napkin for everyone at every meal and paper towels for spills, cleaning up and the general mess that occurs, I felt like I was always buying and throwing away.

I started making napkins from fabric I found, was given, or was left over. They have held up very well and are used daily so they get washed often. In the past I had tried cloth napkins - purchased from stores- but they were always too big and awkward for little hands. I found that if we were going to make the switch, I needed something very similar to what we already were using.

The napkin basket always held our paper napkins so I started making the cloth napkins to fit inside. It works perfectly and I immediately felt so much better that we weren't buying and throwing out paper napkins anymore.

I also love the switch we made from paper towels to cloth. Like the napkins, I had tried using different clothes and sizes before I found something that worked for us. For everything I tried, I found that either the size was wrong or the material or both. I again realized I needed to find a cloth substitute that was just like the paper product we were using if I was going to stick with it. Our cloth towels are a simple birdseye cotton cloth, serged around the edges. They are made the same size as a paper towel, absorb well, wash and dry easily and are very durable- in all they are just like paper towels except cloth.

Knowing I am the most successful with an organized system in place , I purchased the Towel House from Made In the Red Barn which has worked well for us. With both the napkins and towels, when they have been used they go into a small metal container in our kitchen and are washed with the laundry.

We still have more changes to make. I'm looking forward to a few more adjustments this year as I look at how our family can make more positive steps towards respecting the earth.

An Outdoor Play Addition

2011-04-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

This is a newly added feature to our outdoor play area that my daughters are really loving.

A stump and a long board was all that was needed to create an experience with gravity, balance and fun.

We have two set up in our backyard and now that they are familiar with them they run from one to the next.

We've established the rule: One at a time, so no one gets hurt.

Like most children, my daughters love walking on objects that require balance because of the challenge it provides. This skill in addition of the movement of the board makes this activity even more fun.

Paper Mache Bird Nest

2011-04-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

In a recent issue of Country Living magazine they had a page on making paper mache bird nests from shredded newspaper and paper bags. I knew it would be a great craft for us as we are seeing so many busy birds out in the yard now that spring is here.

We followed the directions found in the magazine with the exception of shredding the paper because we don't have a paper shredder. Instead, I just cut strips from one shopping sized paper bag. The glue mixture was just glue and water. I decided to have us make one larger sized nest and have my daughters work on it together. It worked out great and they had fun with the paper mache process.

The nest is now at the playstand and has really sparked some fowl play around here!

We've put our wet felted eggs and chicks into the nest and the stuffed Audubon birds fly around and keep the chicks warm, protected and well fed.

It is also pretty interesting to see what else makes it way into the nest too.

A Fairy House

2011-04-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

I am in the midst of rearranging plants and play areas in the backyard. It is so much fun, and I am excited to share more photos soon. Right now things are still brown and just starting to grow- perfect for digging and rearranging. I've condensed a lot of the flowers to one bed in our backyard and then decided it would be the perfect spot for a fairy house. Last year, we made fairy houses from sticks found on the ground, but this bird house turned fairy house is a more permanent structure and perfect to be hidden among the flowers later in the summer.

The bird house has been enhanced with small sticks around the base glued on with a hot glue gun and dried milk weed pods glued onto the roof. I used one nail to nail it to the tree stump to prevent it from blowing over on a windy day. We found moss from around the area and laid rocks on top to hold it down. We have enjoyed having it so much that we think it may need a neighbor or two!

Creating Rubbing Plates From Pin Punching Cardboard

2011-04-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

We created our own rubbing plates using just a few materials found around the house.

We used paper, cereal box cardboard (or similar thin cardboard would work) folded towels, pencils, cardboard shapes to trace, and extra large thumb tacks.

I had previously cut out a few shapes for my daughters to trace including a heart, star, and oval.

They began by choosing a shape and tracing it onto the cardboard.

Next we used the extra large thumb tack (which I had filed down just a bit beforehand). The tack is pressed into the cardboard following the tracing to make the holes as close together or far apart as the child prefers.

My oldest daughter made the holes pretty close together (shown here) while my youngest daughter spaced her's farther apart.

Once the shape has been pin punched, it is ready for rubbing. Turning the cardboard over, so that the raised holes can be felt, a piece of paper folder in half works well at keeping the rubbing plate in place, or tape the cardboard to the table and then tape the paper to the table over it.

Using block crayons and crayon rocks we rubbed the crayon over the cardboard and the shapes appeared.

My oldest daughter's star

An oval

My daughters also took a turn at drawing a shape and then pin punching their drawing and making a rubbing from that.

My youngest daughter created a design free hand using just the thumb tack with no drawing or tracing. She liked this process also.

A word about pin punching: Pin punching is a great activity for increasing concentration, fine motor control, increasing hand strength and development of the pincer grasp. Pin punching is a common Montessori activity used in work like map making. An older child is able to outline a shape with the holes close enough together to create a perforated line and the shape easily tears out. Pin punching out shapes requires a great amount of concentration, muscle control and persistence. Pin punching to create rubbing plates would be a great introduction to pin punching because it allows the child to space the holes farther apart, while still creating the desired outcome.

Handmade Gifts

2011-04-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

I recently mailed out a gift box for my sister and her six month old baby. Included were a few of the handmade gifts we've been making lately. The frame includes a wet felted picture from my oldest daughter (crocus flowers), some ankle bells for an upcoming walking stage (found here), a rolling wooden car to encourage movement, and mini play silk for playing peek-a-boo.

I also framed our other wet felted pictures my daughters made. On the left is a Sunset (to be given later this year) and on the right is a picture of Daffodils (for another someone special soon).

While my daughters wet felted pictures I needle felted this picture to keep in our home (my first ever). The glass that came with the frame had broke but it came out better not having the glass and being more of a softer three dimensional picture. My daughters love to feel the picture and touch the flowers.

1 is One- A Counting Book

2011-03-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

I enjoy Tasha Tudor's work and books. We have her book 1 is One. It is wonderfully illustrated book mixing numerals and artwork for the numbers one through twenty.

The illustrations alternate black and white and colored. The pages also rhyme, making it fun to read as well as look through.

What I really like is the way the book inspires creativity with numbers. Most books seem to end at ten, but this book goes up to twenty, with each page just as interesting as the next. After reading the book to my daughter a few times I thought it would fun to make our own 1 is One book. I used heavy drawing paper and tied it together. The first day she decorated the cover.

We are now about halfway through, and work on it a page at a time whenever she wants to. To start, we read her previous work (pages) and she tells me what number is next. We practice writing the numeral on a little chalkboard and then she writes it on the page.

I then say "8 is eight..." and she says the rest while I write it down. It has been fun making the book and my daughter really enjoys looking through her work and reading it to me or having me read it to her. It will be interesting to see what she comes up as the numbers increase. The words in the book really lend themselves to creative thought.

Craft: Felted Eggs with Chicks

2011-03-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

I am not the greatest when it comes to wet felting. For some reason I find it more difficult than it looks. Despite this, I really wanted us to try felting some eggs and making wool roving chicks to go inside. The eggs were made by layering wool roving over a plastic Easter egg and using the wet felting process. I layered the roving on the egg and my daughters worked on rubbing the eggs with soap and water once the layering was done.

Once the eggs were dried, I used manicure scissors to cut a zig-zag across half the egg. The plastic egg was then removed. One of the children's eggs had a hole on the top so I cut the entire top off in a zig-zag pattern.

I cut a diamond shape out of felt and used a needle and thread to make a stitch, creating a beak. Then I trimmed off the extra thread.

I gave my daughters some uncolored wool roving (although yellow would look nice too). They rolled it around in their hands to make a ball/bird shape.

The roving chick was put into the egg and we added a drop of glue to the middle of the beak and attached it to the roving.

The chicks are a sure sign that eventually spring and Easter will be here. They will be a nice addition to our April nature table too.

Craft Links

2011-03-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share two craft links (one we've done and one we're planning to do) just incase you're looking for some crafting projects to do with your little ones.

These rainbow bottles were made from colored chalk and salt. I never knew colored chalk could color salt but was impressed by the tutorial I saw over at Flax and Twine for these rainbow bottles. Following the tutorial, we made our own colored salt bottles using some spice bottles I found at a yard sale last summer.

We included a baking sheet and the funnel in our process, to help control the salt a little more. My daughters enjoyed the activity so much that we made four of the bottles.

And the other craft we will be doing next week is a children's wet felting in sandwich bags. I love the tutorial found at Kleas

Have you found or done any natural crafts lately? Please share!

Handmade Standing Puppets

2011-03-16T10:59:00.001-07:00

Standing puppets are another type of puppet that can be used for storytelling and play. I've wanted to have standing puppets for my daughters since first learning about them and how they are used in the Waldorf classrooms. I find the puppets to be a wonderful way to invite a child to create stories, encourage imaginative play and creativity, and a great way for an adult to do storytelling. Standing puppets come in all different sizes, and can be made of different natural materials like wood or wool. When I made a recent order from A Child's Dream Come True, I purchased the materials necessary to make my own standing puppets.

It wasn't until I watched a You Tube tutorial on making the puppets that I felt it was actually something I could do (the tutorial I used was: Waldorf Inspired Table Puppet Tutorial). These puppets are made with felt, wool roving, cotton and thread. I love the natural materials they are created with and the appealing softness to the eyes and hand.

The babies were created at the request of my daughters and they make a nice addition to the puppet family. The puppets have been used daily since I introduced them. I made a few changes from the tutorial: Because of the amount of use they get the heads needed to be sewn on not just attached by tying. I used colored pencil to lightly draw on a few facial features and I attached arms to the mother but have since found it unnecessary to create the limbs.

At the end of the day the puppets sit in a vintage sewing basket next to the puppet/playstand.

Journal Drawings: The Preschematic Stage

2011-03-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

My daughter recently reached the last page of her journal. After a little over a year of once-a- week journal drawing, she has drawn her way through the entire journal. The journals are actually sketch books and once a week we set aside time to sit and free draw. My hope is to eventually follow the Waldorf method of drawing and form drawing once she reaches the appropriate age and to continue to set aside time for drawing.

Because my previous drawing post (Children's Developmental Stages of Art) is the most popular post on my entire blog, I thought I would share some photos and characteristics of drawing for 4/5 year olds, as found in the pages of my daughter's drawing journal.

The 5 year old child draws in the Preschematic Stage (this stage occurs between ages 3-7). The preschematic stage begins with the child having a conscious creation of form (around age 3) and the drawings at this stage are tangible records of the child's thinking process.

The first representational attempt in drawing at this stage (early in the stage) is the attempt of a person. The first person is in stick form, with a large head and lines extending out (the development of the sun and cross shapes in earlier drawing). This picture also shows the use of early emergent writing. During this stage, around age 4 and 5, the child begins to write letters. Mock letters are created and transform later to real letters. At times the child can be unaware of the creation of the letters. Typically the first letters are letters of his/her name or that of family members.

Later in the stage, the stick person is replaced with a geometric shaped body with arms and legs attached. Typical of the preschematic stage, this drawing shows how the child has not yet defined order in space with the use of a baseline. Drawings in the preschematic stage are not yet "grounded." The figures float in the space of the page. As the child continues to develop fine motor control, he/she adds more details to the drawings such as hands, fingers, eyes, mouth and other details. The child also draws what he/she views as most important about the object-hands, arms, hair, etc. In this drawing (my daughter drew herself and her father) it can also be noticed that my daughter has drawn herself larger than her daddy. In this drawing stage, the child will typically draw him/herself larger than others demonstrating the undeveloped understanding of size and dimension in drawing. In the study of child development, drawing the self larger displays a healthy view of development.

Also typical of the preschematic stage is the use of stacking. Shapes are found stacked one on top of the other. The use of color, at this stage, is used for enjoyment, creativity and emotional preference not based on logic.

During the preschematic stage a child also begins to color within lines. Because of evolving development more forms are found in drawings and symbols change as the child searches and develops new concepts.

As early emergent writing continues the child also creates "letter strings." Invented words consisting of clusters of letters together. At this stage the child sometimes asks "What did I write?"

This drawing (Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz) is one of the most recent. A trend that I've noticed as move closer to the Schematic Stage is occasional purpose in drawings. Sometimes my daughter draws with purpose, announcing "I'm going to draw...," while at other times it seems to be more of an expression than a thought. At this stage of drawing it is best to let the child decide what to draw. Given the tools to draw and freedom they will develop the skills naturally.

Looking back through these journal drawings it is exciting to see the change in development. Finding so much growth, emerging skills and creativity gives me a great appreciation for the young child's development. It is so easy to overlook their growth that having a visual reminder, like artwork, helps me to really see how quickly and naturally it can all take place.

Wool Angel and Fairy Marionettes

2011-03-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

Marionette angels (or fairies) hang from our playstand. The colors, softness and textures of the marionettes makes them so inviting . The beautiful hues add a bit of cheerfulness and excitement as we wait out these last few weeks of winter. It may be a colorless world outside our windows, but inside the fairies and angels bring us a rainbow of colors.

Rainbow Angel kit ($5.99) from A Child's Dream Come True.

I've had so much fun making these that I made some to hang above my daughters' beds and other as marionettes.

Each of my daughters chose the colors of their angel or fairy that hangs above their bed. For my 5 year old I call it the Sweet Dreams Fairy, who will sprinkle sweet dreams down from above her bed.

I attached a string and tied it to a dowel to make marionettes.

It wasn't until I learned about Waldorf that I discovered the beauty of wool toys and crafts. I've tried my hand at wet felting with no luck but these angels were so easy to make. My daughters were just as excited for the extra roving to add to their scraps basket and to be used for play.

Discovering Waldorf: A Post at The Magic Onions

2011-03-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

I've got a post today about Wet-on-Wet Watercoloring Painting over at The Magic Onions. (It comes from the archives-so you may have read it before.) While your over there make sure to enter the $100 (!) shopping spree giveaway from Stubby Pencil Studio.

Cooking With Children

2011-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to write a post about baking and cooking with children for awhile. I really think it is one of my children's favorite activities that we do together. Our baking/cooking day is Thursday. It is my 3 year old's favorite day. She asks, almost everyday, "Is it baking day?" Of course we bake and cook other days in addition to Thursdays, but on Thursdays my children know that we will bake and cook for our afternoon activity.

Involving children in snacks and meals- baking and cooking- benefits them in so many ways. Here is a short list of reasons I came up with to bake and cook with children:

*Studies show that children who help in food preparation are more apt to eat the food after they've helped prepare it. Children benefit from knowing where their food/meals come from.

*Cooking and baking exposes children to taste, textures, and smells, helping to develop the senses.

*The use of kitchen tools like measuring cups and spoons provides a first introduction to math skills they will develop in the years to come.

*Stirring, pouring, measuring, scooping, and cutting all develop important muscles in the hand and arms in addition to the development of coordination, and fine and gross motor skills.

*Children can increase self esteem and independence when they participate in this "grown up" activity.

*Any age can participate from the youngest sitting in a high chair playing with measuring cups and tasting ingredients to the oldest reading and following a recipe.

Preparing Squash Soup For Dinner

Getting Started:

Preparing Myself: Successful baking and cooking with children all begins, for me, with the right frame of mind. I chose our baking day to be Thursdays because it is the day before cleaning day. At this point in the week the house is waiting to be cleaned. I find that I am more relaxed if things are spilled, dropped and messes made if I didn't just spend a few hours cleaning the house. When I cook with my children I want to enjoy the experience and not worry about the mess that may incur along the way. In this small way I am able to set myself up for a better experience. There are many times, other than baking day, when my daughters will want to help in the kitchen and there are certainly times at the end of a long day when I feel hurried and really don't want "extra help." At this point I try to find a small part of the food preparation they can do that doesn't involving measuring or pouring. Something simple like washing and scrubbing vegetables, cutting or breaking food, or greasing a needed bowl allows them to help and me to continue on with the meal.

Making Muffins

Preparing My Children: Sometimes, in our house, ingredients have been known to disappear while we are in the process of mixing them. For example when we bake cookies, the chocolate chips seem to disappear quickly. If there are plenty of chocolate chips it's fine, but when we don't have enough to add in at the end it can be a problem. It is unrealistic for me to expect my young three year old to not taste ingredients. To help prevent too much tasting of the ingredients I will sometimes provide a small snack before we start, especially if it is coming up on snack time. If a snack isn't provided beforehand I prepare by handing out some of the extra ingredients (raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.) for them to snack on while we bake.

In the Kitchen: We've found that a step stool at our kitchen island works great for cooking height. Sometimes we will use the children's table or the dining room table too. Aprons are a must for little ones, especially my youngest who wipes her hands on her clothes all the time. This photo also shows some of our clean up supplies stored under the island providing easy access for everyone when needed.

Measuring water

I try to have my children participate in as much of the baking/cooking process that they can. Instead of me measuring and pouring and giving it to them to dump in the bowl, I'll pour some of the needed ingredient into a small manageable pitcher so they can practice pouring, measuring and adding it the bowl. While they measure liquids and solids, they practice scooping, leveling, pouring to a line, and pouring to the top.

Cracking Eggs

When it comes to cracking eggs, we crack them into a smaller bowl so that any shells that happen to fall in are easy to find. I am notorious for worrying about raw egg, so I encourage hand washing after egg cracking.

A big bowl for stirring and a small pitcher for pouring

For mixing ingredients I've found a big bowl works best. The ingredients stay in the bowl better and the bowl doesn't move around as much either.

Some of our favorite cooking and baking utensils include the Pampered Chef spreader (great for cutting, the serrated edge cuts but isn't very sharp) and the small scoop used mostly for batter. A small grater, the crinkle cutter, and a plastic knife (again, it cuts but isn't very sharp).

We also use the cutting board, child size oven mitts, and a child size rolling pin.

Scooping muffin batter

On our baking day we usually make muffins. I think it just evolved this way because they are relatively simple to make, everyone likes them and they are done and out of the oven shortly after we finish cleaning up. Other favorites that my daughters enjoying making on baking day include granola bars, apple crisp, applesauce, pudding, and bread. (In addition to the not as healthy treats we make too.) Our recent favorite for muffins are King Arthur's Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, since we always seem to have over ripened bananas and mashing them is so much fun.

I would love to know what tips you have and what do your children enjoy making in the kitchen?

While we wait for warmer weather...

2011-03-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

Here in Vermont we are still waiting for some warmer weather. Yesterday was in the teens and we may be looking at a warmer weekend (the 40's!) While we wait for warmer weather we are enjoying the blooming forced paperwhites we planted weeks ago.

While we wait for warmer weather we are enjoying some new scooters for even more movement and exercise in our play (and a hope that the running in the house will be replaced with scooting).

While we wait for warmer weather they create elaborate meals waiting for the time we can move them to the outside.

While we wait for warmer weather we take the babies for walks inside the house, anticipating the day we can take them outside again.

Craft: Paper Bead Necklaces

2011-03-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

There are many crafts that are made with recycled paper. While visiting my sister I was able to shop at a Ten Thousand Villages store. The crafts that are made there by artists in developing countries, some using recycled materials like paper, were amazing- coiled paper baskets, bags, jewelry and more- it was all very impressive.

Using that as our inspiration, we tried our hand at making recycled paper bead necklaces recently. The materials for the activity include: magazine pages, scissors, glue stick, damp sponge or cloth, work mat, pencil, yarn and a darning needle (or children's needle).

The beads were made from pages of a magazine. I decided to cut the inch-wide triangle shaped pieces beforehand. The more colorful the better!

To make the beads, my daughters applied glue, stopping about an inch from the widest end so that the bead would slide off the pencil after being rolled.

Next, starting at the widest end, glue side up, we rolled the paper.

After the paper was rolled, we applied glue to the tip of the triangle if needed. We then slid the bead off the pencil and trimmed the edge when needed (some of my youngest daughter's were unevenly rolled but this could be fixed just by trimming the ends). If the pencil got glue on it or fingers got sticky we used a sponge or cloth to wipe clean.

After cleaning off hands, we got out some yarn and a needle and set to stringing the necklaces.

I tied a large knot at the end in hopes of preventing beads from sliding off (that can be so frustrating!)

We made extra beads to add to our bead collection for future necklace making. The magazine also has a permanent spot at the art cupboard to encourage more bead making and whatever else they may be inspired to make.

I feel a project such as this, allows my daughters to participate in the process of making something from very basic materials into something much more. I hope it encourages more creativity and an appreciation and openness to recycling and reusing beyond the recycling box.

Knitting Towers: Bought and Made

2011-02-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

The knitting tower (also known as a Knitting Nancy or Spool Knitting) was introduced to my daughter recently. This tower comes from Nova Natural Toys and Crafts (Palumba also sells them). My almost 5 1/2 year old daughter has been enjoying sitting down with me while I practice my knitting and she works on her knitting tower. At this point, she needs me to sit next to her for occasional help. One of the "frustrations" she runs into seems to be the fact that her nail biting habit makes it difficult for her to grasp the yarn from the tower. While we work on not biting nails and getting some heavier yarn, I made our own version of a (little bit larger) knitting tower.

I tried the actual spool knitting idea without much luck and wanted something sturdier than the toilet paper roll idea I've seen. This contraption (shown above) actually has been working well and because it is a little larger it is a little easier and makes a bigger yarn rope result.

This homemade knitting tower is made from a wooden napkin ring, four wooden golf tees, and rubber bands. I basically just kept adding rubber bands until the tees stopped moving around.

As of now my daughter enjoys using both of the towers. It is fun to see the progress as the rope becomes longer and longer. We like to talk about what we could use it for with ideas like garland, climbing ropes for her dolls, snakes, and doll accessories.

Craft :: Embroidery Hoop and Tissue Paper Suncatchers

2011-02-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

We have a few embroidery hoops around the house. Mostly they are used for sewing but this time we had some fun using them for a craft project. These tissue paper suncatchers are easy to make and look so colorful sitting in the windows on a sunny day.

We started by glueing smaller shapes of tissue paper onto a larger piece of tissue paper. Some pieces were torn and others cut with scissors.

When the glue work was finished, we fitted the tissue paper onto the hoop and tightened the screw. The edge was then trimmed.

We found a sunny window and set them up. They really brighten up the window and provide a nice distraction from all that white outside!

Color Mixing: Milk, Food Coloring and Soap

2011-02-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

I was looking for a fun, short activity for us to do one afternoon recently. I had seen videos on You Tube of mixing colors using milk, food colors and soap and thought my daughters would have fun with it too.

The materials needed for this activity are food coloring, milk (probably at least 2% or whole since it requires fat in the milk to work-we used whole milk) liquid dish soap, a bowl, and a cotton swab. (Aprons too since the food coloring is messy)

We poured the milk into the bowl, and added a few drops of each color food coloring into the milk. The cotton swab was then dipped into the dish soap and then into the milk. (Dip rather than stir.)

My daughters were so excited watching the colors move and swirl around in the bowl after the cotton swab entered the milk. The reaction between the soap and milk creates movement.

They both experimented twice because they enjoyed it so much. To see the activity in action go on You Tube (lots of people have posted ) for a better idea of the movement and technique.

Just Play Monday:: Photos and Quotes

2011-02-21T06:32:00.001-08:00

In an effort to support the importance/necessity of play for young children, I've decided to use some of my favorite quotes on play and some of our playful moments in a post each Monday. Please feel free to list a link to your blog in the comments if you have some Just Play photos or a favorite quote of your own.

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning."

Fred Rogers from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

"Play is a major avenue for learning to manage anxiety. It gives the child a safe space where she can experiment at will, suspending the rules and constraints of physical and social reality. In play, the child becomes master rather than subject. Play allows the child to transcend passivity and to become the active doer of what happens around her."

Alicia F Lieberman The Emotional Life of the Toddler

"In play a child always behaves beyond his average age, above his daily behavior. In play it is as though he were a head taller than himself."

Lev Vygotsky
Russian psychologist

Rainbow Letters

2011-02-15T12:12:00.001-08:00

My daughter's interest in letters continues to develop. They often are found in groupings on her artwork and pretty much any time she uses a crayon. Some of it is her attempt to write her name (minus a few letters, it's so long!) other times it her attempt to write words or express meaning.

I've introduced letters to her using sandpaper letters (Montessori style) and finger writing in sand or cornstarch as well as small pieces of chalk on the chalkboard. Many of the letters she has mastered but not all- some of them appearing reversed or partially made. We used the idea of Rainbow Letters to reinforce the muscular memory needed to write the letters correctly.

I taped the corners of the paper to the table. We chose crayon rocks in rainbow colors. The crayon rocks or alternatively small pieces of crayon or chalk are helpful in aiding a child prepare the hand and fingers for a correct pencil grasp. Small pieces naturally encourage this correct grasp. My daughter watched while I wrote the letter lightly in pencil. She then traced the letter with her "working fingers" (the ones used for grasping a pencil and just like when we write in sand) and carefully making sure to trace with the same movements.

We said the sound as she made the movements (this method is used in Montessori so that the child gets a multi-sensorial: visual, muscular, auditory and tactile impression from the activity).

Because the letters were rainbow, each letter was created 7 times. This repetition will not only help her brain to recall the letter later, but familiarizes her muscles with the movements to be more automatic.

The letters look so pretty in their rainbow colors. The use of the different colors and large letter shape was very appealing to my daughter. It was a fun way to practice the letters she has an interest in writing.

Just Play Monday:: Photos and Quotes

2011-02-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

“A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard.”

Benjamin Spock (pediatrician, author)

"It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.”

~ Leo Buscaglia (author, educator)

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.”

~ Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)