I have been reading a lot about the Montessori method of teaching and learning. The approach resonates with me and my husband very strongly and I look forward to introducing Montessori based activities and exercises in learning to our boys. Some of the activities will be traditional Montessori, like nesting blocks for example, but others I will create or may just happen naturally. I am going to do many exercises with food. Rice is a great tool and example of what I may use in an exercise. I hope that these exercises not only provide a development opportunity but also a food learning opportunity.
An example of an activity that grew out of a Montessori exercise is described below. I call it “Crack the Nut”.
Counting Coconuts provides amazing sensory tub ideas. One of our recent sensory tubs was a “farm theme” created with farm figurines, critter feed from our local Petco that includes corn kernals, peanuts in their shells and sunflower seeds, a measuring cup for scooping, a tablespoon for scooping, a small bowl with water for imaginary play and scooping and whatever else you and your child want to add!
I love, love the critter feed. I was searching for something that would ruin our lawn or be a pain to pick up either on our patio or inside. The critter feed is great because, well, you guessed it, the critters eat it up. We have the added bonus of having fun visitors for my toddler. He loves to see the squirrels eating the peanuts and the birds picking up the seeds. Loads of fun.
As my son played with this sensory tub, I caught him taking the peanuts and crushing them with the measuring cup. Then I showed him how to break the peanut into two and then we collected the peanuts in the small bowl originally provided in the tub exercise.
So we have a practical life (how to break a peanut), mobility (breaking the peanut), math (two nuts per one shell that then breaks into two pieces), food (we definitely snacked on a few peanuts during this exercise) and science (watching the critters eat up the feed was exciting and a learning opportunity) exercise. Not to mention the imagination that goes wild as my 2 years old takes the horse over to the water for a drink.
Have fun!
Marnie
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