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Montessori Mealtimes
I come from a Hispanic culture, where mealtimes are sacred. As children, we were expected to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner sitting down at the table. We were also expected to remain seated throughout the meal, have appropriate table manners, and join in or at least listen to the conversation. Weekend meals at home and in restaurants were three-hour affairs, especially as my brother and I got older and could partake in adult discussions about politics and current events.
Those times around …
Those times around …
Things That Go Thump in the Night
In the past few weeks Zach has become an expert roller. Leave him alone for five minutes and he will end up halfway across the room. It's great fun to see him rolling around, ambitiously exploring our house. One of my favorite moment of the day is when he wakes up from his naps and I hear him babbling happily in his room. I'll peek in and he'll be on his tummy, far from his bed, having a conversation with the leg of the nursing chair.
As fun as his rolling is during the day, it is highly irri…
As fun as his rolling is during the day, it is highly irri…
Montessori Nuggets: When Your Child Knows Better Than You
This morning, while browsing through my Montessori books, I came across a short speech that Dr. Montessori gave in England, ca. 1930. I have taken the liberty of transcribing it to this blog from the book "The Child, Society, and the World". As you read this speech, it's important to remember that the Montessori approach is an entire philosophy, with each principle dependent on the presence of many others to function properly. Therefore, when Dr. Montessori talks about giving children freedom…
Some Light Summer Reading
I was recently asked to make a list of books that help parents understand Montessori, and I realized it would make a good resource on this blog. Check out the "Recommended Reading" page and feel free to suggest your favorites in the comments! Happy reading!
Zach's Activity Area
We live in a small two-bedroom condo, which has posed some fun challenges as we work to continually adapt Zachary's environment to meet his growing needs. One of the four areas that make up a Montessori baby room is the activity area, where the little one has the opportunity to stretch out, roll around, observe mobiles, and play independently. It is a simple set-up, consisting of a low mirror and a thin pad or large rug. A hook or tripod for hanging mobiles is also essential. Eventually, a l…
Filling the Bucket
An acquaintance recently posted this picture on his Facebook page:
Nice imagery... But how do you fill that darn bucket? Praise? Rewards? A bucket full of "good jobs", A+, and gold medals? Honestly, I don't think it's the parents' responsibility to fill the bucket. Only by letting the child fill it on his own will we ensure that it will never run dry.
The only way we can encourage the child to fill his own bucket is by giving him experiences in which he can find success. The crawling baby wi…
Nice imagery... But how do you fill that darn bucket? Praise? Rewards? A bucket full of "good jobs", A+, and gold medals? Honestly, I don't think it's the parents' responsibility to fill the bucket. Only by letting the child fill it on his own will we ensure that it will never run dry.
The only way we can encourage the child to fill his own bucket is by giving him experiences in which he can find success. The crawling baby wi…
Making the Soup
Last week I wrote about our experience with the Jaramillo Soup. The beauty of this soup is that you can make it with whatever you have in your fridge, so it's economical and uncomplicated. When I started making it for Zach, I began by giving him 2 oz. three times per day, mixed with breast milk (plus nursing on-demand the rest of the day). This meant that I was making about 1/3 of the recipe featured here. I gradually increased the amount of soup based on his demands and hunger level. By si…
A Mission of Nutrition
I'm aware that what I'm posting here might not be viewed favorably by everyone, and that's OK. I just ask that if you have negative comments, please keep them to yourself or write them on your own blog (I won't approve negative comments for this post, so don't bother writing them). This is a very sensitive topic for me, but I chose to write about it both for future personal reference, and to provide an alternative to mothers out there who might find themselves in my shoes. Thank you!
"The …
Floor beds galore!
Check out this awesome website that has pictures, tips, and everything you need to set up your baby's developmentally-friendly bedroom! I think I'm in love with www.bedstart.com!!!
Ca-ching!
Fellow Montessori mom and friend Amy, over at Positively Montessori, shares her experiences with the Positive Discipline approach to parenting. Every week she addresses a new topic and discusses how it's been working at her household with her 6-yr. old daughter and 15-month old son.
Here's a post on helping children understand the value of money. It offers some great ideas that take the power struggle out of buying toys, teach through natural consequences, and highlight the joy of giving.
Do y…
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