My In Home Montessori Setting 

It’s been a while since my last blog was posted! Why? Got busy with the opening of my in home Montessori daycare. Got fully occupied with all the paper works, setting up the environment, planning, acquiring new and used learning materials and a little marketing. It’s a great challenge for a starting provider like me. My space was pretty much smaller and can only serve small capacity of children. 

I’m thinking of putting two more shelves preferably for language and sensorial materials.

Safari animals and their babies.

This is my infant room.

Toddler Developmental Goals

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A toddler prepared environment provides children with a nurturing introduction to school. A Montessori teacher creatively prepares the environment that commonly rich in stimulating activities.

Dr. Maria Montessori used the phrase, “Help me to do it by myself”. Very young children working toward independence in eating, dressing and toileting, are really working toward what they want to do. We take each child as an individual, allowing them to go at his or her own pace, to achieve their independence.

Here are my list of toddler developmental goals that I practice at home. I love every moment each time I see and witness a progress in a child. It’s like you got a very valuable reward! 

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Communication Development

Supporting your child’s verbal, non-verbal, and listening skills for connecting with family, friends, and beyond.

*Learning vocabulary by naming familiar and new items.
*Developing conversation skills by interacting with teachers and using books, pictures, and interesting objects.
*Songs, games, and circle activities
*Following one-step directions
*Listening and responding to others

Growing Brain Power

Providing an enriched environment and the personal relationships to make the most of your child’s amazing brainpower.

*Exploring cause and effect by filling and emptying containers, digging in sand, and playing games like peek-a-boo.
*Matching colors and shapes.
*Confirming object permanence by playing games such as “Guess where it went?”
*Exploring the senses through different textures, tastes, smells, and sounds.

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Building Relationships

Helping your child develop trust, self-confidence, and problem solving skills for positive relationships with friends, parents, and teachers.

*Participating during circle time, songs, and games.
*Bonding with teachers in a safe, loving environment.
*Learning to work in a setting with other children.
*Growing listening skills through conversations, games, and stories.
*Identifying and expressing emotions positively.

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Helping Healthy Bodies Flourish

Nurturing your child’s physical well-being through active play and body awareness.

*Identifying body parts through games, songs, and active play
*Practicing daily-living skills through dressing, having snack, and cleaning up with the teacher’s assistance.
*Exploring and developing body skills while climbing, running, crawling, and jumping

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Creativity and Individual Expression

Promoting an atmosphere that inspires your child’s unique character through art, movement, music, and dramatic play.

*Singing and playing rhythm instruments.
*Exploring a wide variety of art materials.
*Games, poems, and activities for moving and grooving.

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A toddler is constantly learning how to do new things. By our loving support, and as often as possible provide a freedom for them to strive for independence. And don’t worry if he occasionally “unlearns” a skill—a little regression is just part of the process in the toddler years.

“The child’s development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behaviour towards him. We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practised to perfection only when working among children.” (The Absorbent Mind, p. 257)

 

 

Introducing Books To Your Child

Reading books as early as infant helps in developing language and a great concept to immerse them in the sounds and rhythms of speech. When you read to them, they get your full attention. They listen and follow your fingers run into words from each pages of the book.

In a study at Brown University School of Medicine in Providence Rhode Island, 18 to 25 month olds whose parents said they had been reading to them regularly for a year could say and understand more words than those whose parents hadn’t. This study proves to many parents that early reading creates a very good language development to your child.

Having a 16 month old toddler would consider this as an extremely positive way to communicate with your child. I started reading to my toddler since she was in my tummy:). Yes, being a preschool teacher before she was born was a great opportunity and proves to me that talking and reading to your baby even if she’s still in your womb makes a long-term difference.

When she was 2 months, I start to gather small baby board books, mostly animal books and baby first word book. She will listen to me while I read to her slowly the words in each pages. I introduce one book at a time. I do this consistently mostly before bedtime sometimes during our long drive for vacation. I love books too!

I wanted to share to new parents and parents to be some tips to practice and establish a good reading habits to your child. This practice works best as early as possible. Please remember that by doing this, you will prepare your child to a life long love for learning that will impact the future of your child. Investing in quality books is the key….and of course your patience:)

Ways To Establish A Good Reading Habits:

  1. Start reading to your baby right before she was born. Your baby can hear you! Its also your bonding moment too.

2. Read slowly and clearly. I make sure that she listens and ready for book time. I pronounce each word clearly and slowly for her to catch up.

3. Use sounds that corresponds to the story. I usually read to her animal books. Making the animal sounds every time I point into each animal would be easier for little ones to remember the name of the animals and become familiar with the words.

4. Simplify words. If Im reading a long story books to her, I choose only the important words and simplify long complicated words.

5. Match words with objects. I have a miniature objects in my home like small animals. I use this to familiarize her with what each animal looks like.

“The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. We have seen children totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them…. The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” Maria Montessori (Education and Peace)

Summer Toddler Play 

It’s a beautiful week! Though the temperature was quite high, my little one wants to go out and play and enjoy the sunny day. 

This year, summer gets hotter compare to last year. I always carry a sun protection for her specially when we go near the water or beach. 
At Pleasant Hill Park 

She’s now a pro in climbing👏😀

At Mirage Las Vegas

My living doll❤️

She loves picking pieces of wood from the park. 


The sunshine of my life🌞

Effective Way To Teach Montessori At Home 

Children are so amazing! They can let you wonder how each day they have learned something new but without you teaching them. It might be because of their natural or inner urge to learn or what we call “auto-education”.

Practicing Montessori Method at home or school is more effective when done repeatedly, consistently, routinely just like your daily ritual. With this, you will be amazed of your child’s capability to learn.

This is how I teach Montessori method at the classroom and at home. Take note that the method will be effective if your doing it consistently as in everyday. I also follow my observation from my experienced teachers and directors. They are extremely modest! in presentation and communication. If you have the chance to observe an experienced Montessori guide or Director you need to take note of these important things:

  1. Body Movement– Finess movement, using slow and clear presentation of each Montessori materials takes a lot of practice. Make sure you use your two index fingers when you are pointing to a specific object or material. With this, you are like highlighting the part of the object or showing the object more clearly when you use your two index fingers.
  2. Using simple and short words- Using simple and short words is the key. Present materials using very few or no words at all. Childs brain cannot multitask hence forth if presenting a material or a task make sure child’s eyes are on you. Use a simple and short words and minimize using long complicated words. The same when you are communicating to your very young child.

Example: During meal time and I’m talking to my daughter, I will say “Eat, food, sit down.” In a manner of clear but soft voice. The child can easily understand you and will remember the words clearly rather than using a complete sentence method of communication.

3. Use Plain Color Working Rug- I use a cream rectangular working rugs at school and at home. We wanted to emphasize on our presentation effectively and precisely so the child will focus on the material and not the background. It is important to only use white or cream rug and avoid colorful or printed rugs.

4. Avoid Attractive Jewelries-Using simple accessories in your hands like a ring is okay. The child should focus on your beautiful presentation rather than your cute bracelet charms.

5. Action Speaks Louder Than Words– Children are extremely good in observing adult. They like copying whatever they see from their parents, older siblings, teacher, care taker. Make sure you show them good stuff only.

Example: During our dinner, my daughter likes to watch and observe what I’m doing at the kitchen. For me, this is an opportunity for her to learn something. So I let her watch me doing some stuff like cleaning up the counter. I show her how I wipe and clean the counter top by using a slow movement so her eyes can follow what I’m doing.