Montessori Pick of the Day

Children's Watches

Many four and five year olds in Montessori classrooms can tell time by an analog clock. One of the best gifts you can give your child is a watch once they learn how to tell time. It's a great way to encourage them in their wonderful accomplishment. Just looks for a watch with "hands" at your local box store.

Telling Time Bingo

Learning how to tell time with bingo makes it so easy. After your child has been introduced to telling time, it's time to play bingo. Here is how to play telling time bingo.

Dust Pan

After doing the sweeping exercise you can show your child how to use a dust pan. Here is how to do this exercise:

Put the swept items in a small pile with the broom.

Take a small whisk broom in one hand and dust pan in the other hand. Sweep beans or rice into the dust pan.

Empty the dust pan contents into a container.

Use a dust mop using the sweeping exercise.

First Broom

I used buy old fashioned, natural brooms and cut off the handles for young children to use for sweeping. Many child-sized brooms just won't sweep effectively, and children naturally get frustrated with a broom that doesn't work.

First sweeping exercise:
Make a small circle with painters tape or chalk on the floor. Take small beans and put them outside the circle. Take the broom and show how to hold the broom. Sweep the beans slowly and carefully into the center of the circle. Let your child do this exercise as much as he or she wants to.

Use smaller items to sweep, such as rice or small grains.

Sculptures

You can make shapescapes using left over craft foam. You and your child can make shapes, cut a slit in the middle and make cool sculptures.