Montessori Mom Links of the Day

Lego Knitting

I'm not a talented knitter like my daughter and mom, but this lego door stop would look good anywhere.

Maybe I'll get one as a gift some day.

Toys to Buy or Not to Buy!

• A Family Runs Through It: What Not To Buy
  I'll add a few more things to the list of what not to buy my kids for Christmas... I do not want to find these things under my tree. You hear me, Santa?!
  (tags: Parent what toys not to buy)
• Montessori Pick of the Day: Goldlen Bead Material vs Base 10
  unit blocks & manipulatives are great for teaching the basics of our math system. The 4 operations of math (addition, subraction, multiplication and division) can be taught with goden bead material or base 10 cubes, also it is a great introduction to the
  (tags: unit blocks preschool elementary school)

Best Toys to Buy for Holidays

• MontessoriMom.com - Christmas and Holiday List
  When I bought my Montessori materials in Holland, I found many educational toys were used for younger Montessori students. In fact, we used educational toys before we introduced the Montessori equiipment. Here are some toys I think would make a great cont
  (tags: Christmas Holiday Toy List Educational)
• W.A.T.C.H. world against toys causing harm, inc.
  W.A.T.C.H.'s annual "10 Worst Toys" list nominates representative toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death.
  (tags: Worst dangerous toy list 2006 kids health)
• MontessoriMom.com - Toys
  What toys would Dr. Montessori choose? Toys, there are so many to choose from. Action toys and figures, computer games, toys that bake and make woodworking projects, almost anything we can imagine. Montessori is based on development of the senses, small a
  (tags: Good toys selection kids educational developmental)
• Montessori Pick of the Day
  Buying Toys for Your Child It's that time of year when toys are on the minds of parents and of course of your children. When buying toys for your child, consider these two questions. What type of toys does your child like? Does it reflect your child's int
  (tags: educational toys recommendations Montessori type)
• Shining Light Reading Series Presents Kids Talk: Real Toys for Real Kids
  What is the purpose of a toy? To babysit? To help a child develop thinking, creative and physical skills? To allow a child to explore and understand the world? What do children need in toys to help develop important skills?
  (tags: Montessori toys type)
• Toys-What Do Children Really Need? When? Why?
  To appreciate the importance of toys, it is first necessary to consider the importance of play. Although we adults think of "play" as the opposite of work, children make no distinction between the two. Play is their work.
  (tags: Toys kids how pick out)
• NHI: Using Blocks Lesson
  The importance of block play for infants to older kids-ideas and activities
  (tags: Blocks stacking toys Christmas gifts holiday birthday)

Make & Play Cinese Jump Rope

• "How Do I play Chinese Jump Rope?" by Sheree Marty
  imagine having a great time playing with just a simple piece of elastic string! Chinese Jump Rope is a jumping game popular around the world!
  (tags: Chinese Jump Rope)
• Chinese jump rope - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Two of the participants face each other, with their feet together, and position the rope around their ankles so that is it taut
  (tags: Chinese Jumjp Rope)
• how to play chinese jumprope
  "IN! OUT! SIDE! SIDE! ON! IN! OUT! SCISSORS!" After you complete that the people inside the ropes move the elastic up to their knees. In out side side on in out scissors. If you complete that they move the elastic up to their thighs.
  (tags: Chinese jumprope)
• Jump Rope Craft
  make a 5 string braided jump rope in five easy steps.
  (tags: Make craft jump rope)
• Braided Jumprope
  make a Braided Bead Jump Rope.
  (tags: Bead Make Jump Rope)
• How to Make Chinese or Rubber Band Jump Rope
  We looped rubber bands together tightly until we had a larger one
  (tags: Make Chinese Rubber Band Jump Rope)

Parent's List of Toys Not to Buy

I love this list of toys not to buy!

It's a great list written by a parent.

Montessori Pick of the Day

Tangram and Pattern Blocks develop concrete concepts for geometry. Attribute blocks help develop math reasoning and proof skills

Here are some blocks that would make great educational toys anytime.
Hands-On Soft(tm) Pattern Blocks (Set of 250)
Wooden Pattern Blocks (Set of 250)
Desk Size Relational Attribute Blocks (Set)
Tangram Blocks(tm) (Set of 2)
Pattern Books
Pattern Animals - Puzzles for Pattern Blocks
Exploring with Pattern Blocks

Print and Play Toys

These Print and Play Toys would keep your children happy with cutting, assembling and playing for hours. These are a quick last minute activity for family fun night. Use card stock, glue sticks, and scissors to finish the project.

Christmas Toy Pick of the Day

Christmas ornaments and decorations that children can hold, touch,  and even play with are the best.
My Christmas tree decorations are soft stuffed animals or wooden ornaments.
We even have a small wooden Nativity set that gets held and lovingly studied all the time. As long as your children don't climb the Christmas tree, it should be peaceful holiday!

Here are two toys of the season that would make great decorations and touchable toys.

Best Toy Store

What stores are the best for educational toys?

I can't think of a store that I couldn't buy a fun and educational toy for my child. I have found great puzzles at the dollar store, plus art supplies, colored paper, paints, clay, and much more. There aren't any bad stores, just bad toys.
You can buy telescopes, microscopes, balls, sporting equipment, Legos, and blocks at your local box toy store.  Toys that encourage your child to interact, create and learn are the best!
Here is a list of some more holiday toys to consider when you are out and about shopping.

Montessori Pick of the Day

Move over Tiger Woods!

First Golf Set is for ages 2 through 6. It's a great eye to hand activity that prepares your child for reading and writing.