tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71410319073639993202024-02-07T03:45:50.175-08:00Montessori MomentsMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-42881378340944746472014-04-03T07:52:00.000-07:002014-04-03T07:52:53.320-07:00Potty Training<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
The internet is abuzz lately with advice about potty training, and most of it advocates waiting until your child is “ready” - then list “signs of readiness” that a child won't show until 2 ½ or 3. I thought, in light of these recent posts, that it was time to put out some information about the Montessori perspective and why we “potty train” at the age we do.</div>
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Let's start at birth – when the child begins to eliminate waste independently of the mother's body.<br />Montessori professionals advocate for cloth diapers. They are all natural and help children retain knowledge of their bodily functions, because they don't “wick away moisture” like disposables do. This provides a cause and effect scenario for the infants – when my body releases waste, it is uncomfortable, and should be removed. This facilitates understanding of the toileting process later on. There are even <a href="http://www.zoolikins.com/diapering/all-in-one-aio-cloth-diapers/">all-in-one cloth diapers</a> that are used just like disposables, except you wash and reuse them. Likewise, we advocate for cloth wipes and water or other <a href="http://www.zany-zebra.com/cloth-wipe-solution.shtml">natural wipe solutions</a>. Soiled diapers are stored in a bin or <a href="http://alemonsqueezyhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/wetbag-tutorial.html">wet bag</a> until laundered (the link is to a tutorial but they can also be purchased). </div>
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During the diaper changing process we talk simply to the child about what we are doing: “I'm taking off the dirty diaper, now, so I can clean your bottom. I'm wiping your skin clean so gently, so I can put a fresh clean diaper on you.” Just as experts in all childcare methods recommend, we wash the child's hands after a diaper change.</div>
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When the child becomes more mobile (around 6 months) a Montessori infant room (called the Nido) will dress children in cloth training underwear. This is not because we expect a six-month old to use the toilet, but because diapers can hinder movement and we want these babies to be able to use their bodies! Continuing (or starting) to use cloth maintains the child's connection to his bodily functions, and helps childcare workers change wet children immediately. To reduce the amount of laundry that must be done, children often wear legwarmers with knee grips instead of pants, or just diapers and shirts if the space is warm.</div>
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As children become increasingly mobile, there is an inner function called myelinization. This is the body's process of coating the nerves with a fatty substance (myelin) which then allows the child voluntary control over those body parts. This process moves from center to extremity, and head to toe, so that by the time a child can walk he also has control over his sphincters. </div>
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An AMI Infant Community (sometimes called the toddler class, or IC for short) typically accepts children at 12 months or older, as long as they are walking proficiently. Since it is developmentally appropriate for a child to walk anytime between 8 months and 18 months, some children may remain in the Nido until they are older than 12 months. </div>
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The children in the IC continue to wear cloth training underwear, and are shown how to use the little toilets in the classroom. They are encouraged to do so as part of a natural progression of learning how to control their own bodies, because children from birth are fascinated by acquiring new control of movement. It also helps them take control over waste removal so they (eventually) don't have to wait for an adult to change them. In this room children are no longer brought to a changing table to have soiled clothes removed, but instead change in the bathroom and learn how to dress and undress themselves. Soiled clothing is stored in a wet bag just as diapers were, previously.</div>
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You can see that this process moves smoothly and naturally along, with each step following in a logical movement from the last. By treating it as the natural process that it is, children are never subject to the distress that many older toddlers feel about giving up their diapers; there is no disconnect between the child's actions and his bodily functions, because he is never taught to ignore them.</div>
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It also makes sense historically and anthropologically, because disposable diapers have only been available to a widespread market since <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaper">1961</a>. For all the years prior to that, human babies used cloth diapers or <a href="http://www.childandme.com/potty-training-early-communication-and-other-methods-getting-rid-diapers/#def">elimination communication</a> (EC) exclusively, and relied on diapers for a much shorter period of time. Hunter-gatherer societies, for example, hardly had time for numerous diaper changes. They listened to a baby's cues (certain specific facial expressions or noises) and held him away from their bodies when elimination was immanent. Even today, in countries such as India, three years old seems ancient for mastery of toileting, because they use those same methods of cloth diapering and EC.</div>
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If you didn't use cloth diapers (and let's face it, in the U.S. these days very few people do!) you aren't totally out of this loop – just jump into the cycle as soon as you can and be patient with your little one as he learns. </div>
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Use cloth as much as you can, to help maintain or reinstate his bodily awareness, and offer the toilet upon waking up and about 30 minutes after eating. Your child will probably have a lot of success with that “schedule” even if you both forget the rest of the time. If you see signs that he is about to go (such as hiding or fidgeting), encourage your child to use the toilet, but let him make the final decision, and don't interrupt if he is really concentrating on something. </div>
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Whatever you do, don't make your child sit if he doesn't want to! Forcing the issue and getting frustrated only cause grief on all sides, and can slow down the process, too. You never want to diminish your child's trust in you by taking away control of his body unnecessarily (obviously if he's about to be hit by a truck or something, it's different). Learning to use the toilet is something he will do his own way and on his own schedule – your job is to provide the environment and encouragement, not to push for an arbitrary deadline. If you are relaxed about it, he will push himself by his own internal clock and the accomplishment will be his own, personal achievement that you can celebrate together.</div>
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To read the toileting policy we used in my toddler communty, click here: <a href="http://montessorimoments-dynamite.blogspot.com/2011/12/dynamites-toileting-policy.html" style="text-indent: 0px;">http://montessorimoments-dynamite.blogspot.com/2011/12/dynamites-toileting-policy.html</a>.</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-15350421791506066272014-02-06T10:42:00.000-08:002014-02-06T11:24:58.474-08:00Too Young to Read?<div style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">I've
written about this before, but I keep finding people (who usually
support play-based learning) who seem to believe that young children
aren't capable of academic learning. While I wholeheartedly agree
that the vast majority of preschoolers aren't ready to learn the way
traditional schools teach, I find it frustrating that many people
assume that is the only way academic subjects can be taught. It also
seems to be a common assumption that if academics matter at all to a
teacher, (s)he must be undervaluing other areas of development. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;">I
find it frustratingly ironic that</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; text-indent: 0.25in;"> many of the same people who
advocate for letting children develop at their own pace also advocate
for restricting what we offer them.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAG_whyg73QzweYpI49tSPkQOfNtdBZoHz_AcHtU3zQXmpkY0nUCsop-1iipOADtLTby4E7usCTKS3fg0EszDc1xrpR8r9oI771DW9Ot_MLJP-1Ce1Sh8iDZQ8upe7HH8avTY1FR4WufL/s1600/own-pace-restricting.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAG_whyg73QzweYpI49tSPkQOfNtdBZoHz_AcHtU3zQXmpkY0nUCsop-1iipOADtLTby4E7usCTKS3fg0EszDc1xrpR8r9oI771DW9Ot_MLJP-1Ce1Sh8iDZQ8upe7HH8avTY1FR4WufL/s1600/own-pace-restricting.png" height="187" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">he
subject most commonly treated this way is reading. There is a huge
segment of people – parents and educators – who believe that
kindergartners should not be taught reading. And the research
supports them to a certain extent, but it also only looks at children
who are taught in traditional ways. It acknowledges the children who
learn to read at four years old, but only as outliers. I haven't seen
any research outside of the Montessori sphere that considers any
methods of developing pre-reading skills that vary too much from the
norm, so it's no surprise that they all conclude the same thing. I
read another article about this topic today <a href="http://www.nancyebailey.com/2014/02/02/setting-children-up-to-hate-reading/">here</a>.
The author touches on some interesting and important research, but I
believe she draws the wrong conclusions from it. Below is a comment I
left on her post:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">Have
you looked into Montessori? It’s based on observation of the
children and following them developmentally. In the early days, and
to a slightly lesser extent now that we have a set of materials that
work for most children, materials were brought in and removed based
on the children’s interest. My knowledge of Montessori education
leads to me to believe that most children CAN and SHOULD learn to
read around age 4.5… but note that I did NOT say they should be
taught. See, Montessori schools have teachers who are trained to
demonstrate the use of materials, based on the child’s interest,
and then back off and just observe unobtrusively. The children are
free to explore as long as they are not doing anything dangerous,
damaging the materials, or disturbing another child. The only
“reading” material they had in the original schools was a set of
sandpaper letters on small wooden boards. Children who wanted to
learn them were offered instruction, but if they didn't that was
okay, too. It was just tracing the letter and making its sound.
Montessori herself believed 3-6 year olds were too young for anything
more than that, and that they would learn even that much later, in
formal schooling. So it wasn't urgent, and in any case she looked at
these classes as experiments anyway. Her concern was not in making
the children learn, but in finding out *how* they learned when no one
was imposing a specific curriculum on them. But the children
surprised her, and their teachers. In each class, there inevitably
came a day when a four year old would make a letter with the chalk
that had been provided for drawing. (S)he would write words, and then
exclaim something along the lines of “I've done it! I've written!”
The other children would crowd around and try it for themselves and
suddenly all the older children were writing. This same scenario
happened in classes across the world. Montessori wrote about children
writing on everything, even the crusts of their bread, because they
were so excited about it. And then, as if their teachers weren't
astonished enough, about six months later some child would look back
on something (s)he had written and read it, and tell everyone
something along the lines of, “I can read!” Again, the other
children would try it and find that they, too, could read. And when
adults asked them who taught them to write and read, the children
looked puzzled and replied, “Why, no one. We taught ourselves.”
And at that point, most of the students were the children of
illiterate day workers. They got no academic instruction at home.</span></div>
<div style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">So
I firmly believe the issue is not teaching reading and writing at
young ages, but in *how* we teach it. I find that most people who are
against early academics (at least vocally so) assume that young
children couldn't possibly be interested in reading or math or
history. It’s the other side of the coin – legislators believe
that all children *must* learn it (now), and detractors believe that
all/most children *can’t* learn it (yet)… but Montessori schools
have found the opposite. And the reason is that Montessori schools
actually ask what the children are interested in and let them
demonstrate what they’re capable of. They have all concrete
materials. There are no worksheets and no homework. There are art
supplies and free movement and building materials and basic
activities to care for oneself and one’s environment. Academics are
“taught” by the materials themselves, through the child’s
interest, and in an environment where social and motor development
are just as highly valued as academic learning. There are other
benefits of it, but I've already written a book so I will just hope
people look into it on their own. Suffice it to say that Dr
Montessori consistently found that whatever age she developed
materials for, it was children just younger who were enthralled by
them.</span></div>
<div style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">So
I hope not to offend you by this statement, but I think articles like
this miss the point. The focus shouldn't be on what children learn
when, but on *how* we teach them. When teachers believe children are
too young, they usually don’t provide opportunities for the child
to prove them wrong, and I think that is just as much of a disservice
as pushing them to do things for which they aren't yet ready. The key
is having an environment that includes materials we don’t think
they can handle yet, all the way down to materials we think they have
outgrown, and then let them tell us what they need by observing what
they use and how they use it.</span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-23879903640883175032013-08-17T13:53:00.000-07:002013-08-17T13:53:42.503-07:00The Real Goal of Discipline (And How to Get There)<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I am 100% opposed to
embarrassing children into compliance. Every time I see the pictures
demonstrating that a parent has done this, I cringe at all of the
totally sincere comments claiming that here is the Parent Of The
Year. I feel this way because children are human beings, and all
human beings deserve to be treated with respect. Embarrassing someone
is incredibly disrespectful, and not the way we would treat other people we care about.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6SJGOa3HJLijy_35nKrUeQ5p6LRloQL2tX8JUJx3-APj8MQnSN411zPSyhXPIDNXI2nW41-LOmWQfbebFPYvebww1O3G9LISqUY1NGayuuOohuM-C3ZxSK_JLv81hUrlbppY67QF2tJe/s1600/guidance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6SJGOa3HJLijy_35nKrUeQ5p6LRloQL2tX8JUJx3-APj8MQnSN411zPSyhXPIDNXI2nW41-LOmWQfbebFPYvebww1O3G9LISqUY1NGayuuOohuM-C3ZxSK_JLv81hUrlbppY67QF2tJe/s200/guidance.jpg" width="183" /></a><span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Worse, it damages a
relationship that really needs to be strong. If you want a child to
listen to you – to respect your ideas and hopefully choose to
follow your guidance – you absolutely have to have a good
relationship with them. That doesn't mean they will always agree with
you or never be angry with you, or vice-versa! It simply means that
when you have a conflict, you resolve it together, as a team, instead
of making it into a power struggle with one person winning and one
person losing. Honestly, even the “winner” in that scenario is
losing because of the damage it causes to the relationship.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I think a lot of people
choose to punish because they don't know what else to do. Most of us
were raised in a punitive household, and today the mainstream opinion
is that if you don't punish, you're not really parenting. This
punishment takes a lot of forms – spankings, embarrassment,
time-outs or grounding (isolation), removal of “privileges”, and
so on. But every one of these scenarios turns the situation into a Me
vs You for the child. It breeds resentment and makes him consider you
his enemy.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">If the goal is short term
compliance, then yes. All of those methods are effective at getting
short term compliance. And in the moment, that may be your goal. But
when you've stepped out of the immediate situation, I think we would
all agree that the goal is to help your child become an adult with
strong decision making skills and good ethics – the kind of person
who can create the kind of life he or she wants, and be self
sufficient, without hurting other people to get there.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">With that goal in mind,
take a <a href="http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-discipline.html">look</a>
at <a href="http://championsofunity.org/education-resources/research-and-policy-outlook/rethinking-school-discipline">the</a>
<a href="http://www.fixschooldiscipline.org/problem/">current</a>
<a href="http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/positive-discipline/Consequences_Punishment">research</a>.
All of those methods that are so effective for short term compliance
actually damage the child's chances of reaching the long term goal!
(<a href="http://www.alfiekohn.org/index.php">Alfie Kohn</a> has done
a lot of research about this.) What has been proven effective
basically boils down to responsiveness; effectively the opposite of
what is generally considered in the parenting toolbox. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.positive-parents.org/2011/07/nonpunitive-discipline-lazy-parenting.html">Responsiveness
is not the same as permissiveness</a>, though. Limits are absolutely
important, and sometimes they do need to be strong. It can be a
struggle for parents to walk that line, especially in a culture where
we haven't had a lot of exposure to that kind of parenting. Often we
don't have previous experiences to look back on, and draw from, that
relate to the situation we're experiencing. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The solution to this
dilemma is always to consider the ultimate goal. You need a course of
action that encourages the child to <i>want</i> to obey the rule,
<i>even if you would never know it had been broken</i>. They need
internal motivation. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">This takes different forms
at different ages, and with different personalities. Toddlers, for
example, need short, firm, and consistent messages about what is
okay. They need real empathy when they desperately want something they
can't have, but they also need to know that the boundaries are firm.
They could never verbalize this, of course, but they are depending on
the parent or caregiver to keep them safe in a world they don't yet
understand. At this age the process is all about cause and effect; a
rudimentary understanding of their individual capacity to affect the
things around them. When they break rules, they are not deliberately
being defiant; they are just experimenting. They need to know their
caregivers understand that, because it's basically their whole
existence. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">This understanding in the
toddler years also builds a strong foundation for later, when the dangers your child will encounter are not so black and
white. If they are used to being understood and know they can rely on
your empathy, they are a lot more likely to ask and take your advice.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">For most older children,
understanding your reasons can be a significant factor. Depending on
the child, explanations of the rules during a neutral moment can
begin between the ages of 3 and 6. For a child on the young end of
that range, the explanations should be very simple, but as the child
matures the explanations can begin to cover more of the gray areas.
You can explore the situation together, and your child can help come
up with the rules. They are much more likely to follow rules that
they've created! </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The older children get,
the more they need to practice decision-making skills, so giving them
practice early on will help when they get to the point where the
decisions have many more factors. For example, a teenager can help
determine the rules about curfews, driving, phone use, and so on. You
make the decision together, as a family, and find a compromise you
all feel comfortable with. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">For example, the image
that prompted this post was a photo of a man wearing short shorts,
with spandex bike shorts underneath, and a shirt that said, “Ask my
girls if they still think short shorts are 'soo cute'!!” This is a
commonly lauded approach of the punitive sort. So what might have been more effective? </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I would start by having a
conversation with the girls about modesty and privacy, and our family
values. I would give a limit, such as the length of shorts I found
acceptable, and explain how that limit related to our family values.
Then I would ask for their feedback. I would find out why they wanted
short shorts, <i>even if I thought I already knew</i>. Then I would
restate it to them in my own words, so they would know I
understood their position. In most cases, the underlying desire is
something that can be fulfilled in a different way. These girls
likely wanted to wear clothing that would be accepted and admired by
their peers, which is reasonable, understandable, and crucial for
positive self-esteem and peer relationships. At that age, they are
better able to define what their peers will accept, so their feedback
is incredibly important – but if short shorts are in conflict with
family values, then a compromise would mean finding other clothes
that are still stylish and acceptable, but more modest. That way the
ultimate goals and needs of each family member would be met.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The basic form of that
discussion should work for most children over the age of six, with
the different factors being simplified or expanded to meet your
child's cognitive level.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">It's also important to
remember that fairness and justice are extremely important factors to
an elementary child or teenager. If they see a discrepancy, they are
not likely to accept it, unless there is a justifiable reason for the
difference. If they know how they can reach some new freedom, such as
a later bedtime or larger play range, they are a lot more likely to
accept restrictions while they're working toward it, because the power is in their hands.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: TR Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Have you had any of these
conversations with your children? How have they worked out for your
family?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-43455407589032721902013-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:002014-02-06T10:45:04.026-08:00Cloth Diapering and Freedom of Movement<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I
am absolutely committed to cloth diapering our child.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">There
are tons of reasons to do it – long term reduction in cost
(especially over multiple children), being less wasteful, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">avoiding
chemical exposure </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">to</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
sensitive baby skin,</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
faster toilet learning when that time comes... </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">it
just makes sense. Plus we're going whole-hog Montessori, and cloth
diapering is part of that, mostly for the last two reasons.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Of
course there are going to be barriers – such as the high start up
cost of cloth and the fact that although we have </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">our
own</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
washer and dryer in our apartment, they are coin operated. Which
means I can't control the cycles or the wash time, and it makes it a
lot more expensive unless I plan to wash them by hand, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">which
I don't</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">.
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">(<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2010/09/cloth-diapers-for-apartment-dwellers.html">Here's</a>
a great resource for apartment laundering options, by the way.)</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">But
those </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">factors</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
are not my main concern, despite the anxiety dreams I recently had
about drying all those diapers. What I'm concerned about is the bulk
of </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">cloth</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
diapers inhibiting movement. Another blogger wrote about the same
concern <a href="http://prebabyblog.com/2012/05/cloth-diapering-how-its-going/">here</a>
and a lot of people got </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">kind
of</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
angry about it. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Let
me be clear, I have not read ANY research to validate my concern, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">and
Montessorians definitely advocate for both cloth diapering and
freedom of movement. No one in my training or Montessori experience
has expressed any concerns about one inhibiting the other, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">although
my trainer did recommend switching to cloth underwear around the time
an infant begins crawling to reduce bulk.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
I</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">t
really came up for me when I</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
s</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">aw
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">standard
prefolds used on toddlers, and they looked bulky even on those big
two-year-olds. What </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">might</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
that do to delay </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">a</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">baby's</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
development? </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is absolutely evidence that children
whose movement is </span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">frequently</span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
inhibited by “containers” <a href="http://reddoornd.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/devdelays/">reach basic milestones later</a></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">,
and this is not so different, in my opinion. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">You
might think </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">that
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">my</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
concern about possibly delaying milestones </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">is</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
misplaced – after all, what harm does it do for a child to start
rolling over a few weeks later? Well, actually, since cognitive
development depends in large part on exploration of the environment,
it could make it harder for the baby to reach his or her full
capacity of intelligence. Although new research shows that neural
plasticity allows for some brain development even in adulthood,
infancy and early childhood is when it comes most easily.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">So
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">what's
the solution? Not disposables, I know that –</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
not for us. Please note that I'm not judging you if you use 'sposies!
I just know that it's not the right route for our family... or at
least that it's important to </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>me</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
to use cloth, despite the extra work and my movement concerns, for
all those reasons I listed at the beginning of the post. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">So
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I'm
starting with the premise that trim and well fitting diapers are a
necessity, planning to add in plenty of naked time, and practicing
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication">elimination
communication</a> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">(EC)</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
as much as possible. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">And,
for the record, I do plan to switch to thick underwear around six
months or so, so we won't be using the diapers as long as most people
do.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Please
note that this does not mean forcing our child to potty train at six
months old – I am hoping that EC and cloth will have a positive
effect on toilet learning but the switch is intended solely to aid
the development of movement.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Unfortunately,
we won't be able to see how any of the diapers fit on our little one
until I actually give birth, so we have to depend </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">on
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">trial
and error while we're actually in the trenches. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Since
cost is a major factor for our budget, I'm planning to make some
newborn sized prefolds and flats out of my flannel stash. I imagine
the sheer quantity of fabric in the regular ones is what causes the
bulk, and I'm hoping a newborn won't need as much absorbency as an
older baby since a newborn stomach has such a small capacity. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Making
them smaller should address the bulk without compromising
functionality... at least, that's my goal and my hope.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">
I'm also researching which diapers are the trimmest, for when the
newborn diapers no longer fit, and those are the ones I'll be adding
to our registry.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">So
hopefully I'll update you all on which diapers worked for us and
which didn't... but I don't have a great track record on keeping up
with blog posts now, and I'm sure you all know how busy parents of
newborns are. I'll do my best; wish me luck!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">P.S.
- I also write about my personal life a little more freely on my
other blog, <a href="http://megansnest.blogspot.com/">Megan's Nest</a>, and reserve this one for information
specifically relating to Montessori and child care/development. If
you're interested in hearing about our quirky apartment and other
stuff, feel free to head on over and check it out! </span></span>
</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-44192958628562180912013-07-20T21:42:00.000-07:002013-07-20T21:42:00.100-07:00Updates!<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Hi, everyone! Sorry for the
long delay between posts... I'll update you as there have been major
personal changes in my life and the focus of this blog is shifting a
little bit as a result.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">First, I'm pregnant with my
first child. This means I'm probably going to focus a little more on
infant development, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and so forth, at
least for the next year or so.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Second, I am no longer
working at or writing for Dynamite Montessori School. I decided that
it was really important for me to focus on this new family I'm
starting with my fiance, and that in order to do that I needed to
step down from my position as a lead teacher. My new job as a
floating substitute at Grand Lake Montessori is a really great fit
for me right now – I'm able to get experience in several different
classroom communities and it allows me to focus on work while I'm
working and my personal life when I'm home. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Since I'm now spending plenty
of time with primary aged children (3-6), I expect to continue
writing about that age group even though I'm personally focused more
on infancy, and I'm always open to new topic suggestions. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Third, now that this blog is
no longer affiliated with a school, I can express my personal
opinions even when they might be too controversial
for a company-associated blog. Up until now I have avoided certain
controversial topics about which I am passionate, because I was
concerned that my enthusiasm might reflect inaccurately on the stance
of the school I was representing. I definitely respect and appreciate
their desire to avoid alienating anyone, and I hope that my posts
will continue to respect differing parenting choices, but I'm going
to be a little freer with my opinions from now on.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I hope you all stick around!
I would love for you to join me as I explore Montessori from a
parenting perspective as well as a professional one.</span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-90496241953407834042013-02-18T11:20:00.002-08:002013-02-18T11:20:26.961-08:00What Makes Montessori Different From Other Methods?<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.26in;">I'll start by saying that I
have the AMI Montessori training for birth to age 6, and no
experience with other education methods except for some volunteer
work in traditional preschools, so if you see anything incorrect
about another method please correct me promptly. I have done some
reading but not everything on the internet is accurate – and some
of the things I've read about Montessori make me cringe. With that said...</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I think something that makes
Montessori unique is that it is <b>reality based</b>. Young children
(under six – what we call the first plane of development) are still
trying to figure out what the world is like. If we offer them
fantasy, fun as it is, that can really confuse them because they
don't have enough knowledge about the world to understand the
difference between reality and fantasy. So, in a Montessori
environment, we offer only reality based materials for those first
six years. This is one of the major differences between Montessori
and Waldorf, because my understanding is that Waldorf education
focuses on fantasy play as a major learning tool.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Something else that I think
is unique about Montessori is that the materials were <b>developed
scientifically</b>. What I mean by that is that Montessori didn't
base her work on expectations of what the children would be
interested in or capable of. She just offered a room full of
materials, including toys, practical activities such as for cleaning,
educational materials, and so on. Then she observed the children, and
kept only the things which interested them. She added materials based
on what she observed, to delve deeper into ideas that the children
found interesting and to help the children develop skills that were
lacking for the work they wanted to do. For example, she noted that
some children were having trouble sewing, so she offered a bead
stringing work as a preliminary activity to practice the motions with
less difficulty. By the time the children grew bored with bead
stringing, their hands were ready for the more delicate work of
sewing.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The progression of materials
also helps children to categorize things and understand how concepts
fit together. As young as the toddler community you will see children
begin to abstract the essential characteristics of things, such as,
“all butterflies have wings, but not all butterflies are blue.”</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Montessori <b>doesn't assume
that something is too difficult for a child simply based on age</b>.
When Dr Montessori was developing those materials, she regularly
found that the children she offered them to were not interested, but
children a few years younger were enamored. A big example of this is
reading. When I see people saying that 5 is too young to focus on
reading, I cringe a little – because if children have the
opportunity to learn the sounds and shapes of the letters when they
are three, they spontaneously write around 4 (with chalk or moveable
letters, not necessarily pencils) and read around 4.5. The Montessori
method <i>agrees</i> with the idea that we shouldn't be <i>pushing</i>
reading, but emphatically <i>disagrees</i> that 5 is too young. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Montessori education includes
work appropriate to the child's <b>sensitive periods</b>. In
neuroscience these are called “windows of opportunity”, and what
it means is that the child's brain is focused more intently on
specific acquisitions at specific times. For example, when a child is
in the sensitive period for developing the use of his senses (seeing,
hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching), there are many materials
for practicing them such as the smelling jars, tasting bottles,
bells, etc. I don't know of any other educational method that
includes all of those sensory experiences daily, especially
categorized in so logical a way.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Montessori classrooms have
<b>mixed age groups</b>. This allows younger children to observe
older children's work and behavior, and simultaneously allows older
children to experience leadership positions and be genuinely helpful.
It also decreases competition for the same materials and lets younger
children look forward to the materials they will be ready to work
with later. I know this is rare in traditional schools, but I have no
idea about other paradigms.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I also think <b>the
Montessori take on repetition is a little different</b>. Tradition
education is a huge proponent of repetition, but they do it the form
of worksheets or homework, i.e., forced repetition. Montessori
advocates for repetition, but only when the child is choosing it
voluntarily. When a child chooses to repeat something it is because
he is learning from it, and we want him to develop that concentration
so he can figure out whatever it is he is trying to figure out. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">This directly relates to
sharing and taking turns, by the way – in a Montessori environment
a child works with a material as long as he wants and returns it to
the shelf when he is finished, ready for the next person. He doesn't
have to share it because we don't want to interrupt his work. At the
beginning many children need help with waiting for something to be
available, which has the benefit of <b>developing</b> <b>patience and
generosity</b>. This
is because when they share,
it is a <i>volunteered</i>
sharing that is internally motivated. There is only one of
each material in the environment, so sometimes a child gets a lot of
practice being patient.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">What Montessori has in common
with some other methods is the practice of <b>following the child's
interests</b>. I know that RIE focuses on this as well, and that both
methods emphasize observation of the child, but I think Montessori
takes the lead here because it offers opportunities that RIE
practitioners might assume children aren't ready for or won't be
interested in. For example, I've seen RIE websites advocate for later
toilet learning, whereas Montessori provides a lot of precursors and
makes toilets available at a young age, so that the child can mimic
his elders as soon as he becomes ready without having to wait for
subtle external signals (which may not come for a long time if the
child hasn't had those precursors such as watching others use a
toilet and feeling wetness in cloth diapers and underwear). So we
offer activities by giving a lesson, and if the child isn't
interested that's fine. He may be interested later and we will give
the lesson again if necessary.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Montessori also shares a <b>deep
respect for the child and his inner process</b> with other methods.
The primary classroom for ages 3-6 is called the “casa de bambini”,
which means the “children's house”. Montessori teachers, or
“guides” as we usually call ourselves, are taught as part of our
training that the materials belong to the children and not us (no
matter who pays for them)... so if a beautiful material gets broken
we will share in the child's sadness and repair or replace it, but we
won't be angry because it was for the children, and it provided a
learning experience (which is why we intentionally use materials that
are breakable and require taking care). The children learn to care
for their “home” and do so willingly because it is theirs and
they take pride in it. They love it because it is full of beautiful
things prepared just for them, and they respect it because their
efforts maintain it. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">There are a ton of other
things that I could say about Montessori, and you can probably tell
that I'm quite passionate about it, but this post is getting pretty
long so I'll cap it here and answer any questions either in the
comment section or a new post. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.26in;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Next up is what to look for
in a Montessori school!</span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-66262377106492993582012-09-19T15:31:00.001-07:002012-09-19T15:31:57.997-07:00Sand Box Redo<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for months, but I still want input on how else we can improve the playground. Ideas?<br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The toddler playground at Dynamite is constantly a work in progress, and our last change was to remove the sandbox and replace it with a sand table. Since the sandbox was round, above ground, and too small for the children to sit in, they were stuck kneeling over the side on the gravel. Very uncomfortable - I know because I will get right down there with them and show how to make sandcastles, or rivers when the sand is really wet. Since it was a spur of the moment change, we didn't have a budget for the new equipment and made do with what we had - the basin of an old water table and some cinder blocks - the legs of our first shelves. We've moved on to lovely open wire shelving (no corners to fill up with dirt!), but the cinder blocks had been painted and were sitting on the side of the building for a future project.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">We actually started out with a painted tire, and got it all the way filled up with sand so snakes and bugs couldn't hide inside of it (we are in the desert, after all). It took several trips of three-at-a-time toddlers, a wheelbarrow, and me, back and forth to the big sand area for the primary children. We filled up the wheelbarrow and took turns pushing it back and forth, then each time I lifted it and poured the sand into the tire. We also shoveled all the sand from the old sandbox into it. Then we put the basin on top and it didn't look right... plus it wasn't very stable. Ms. Mary Jane and I figured that with two-year-olds hanging over the edges, we would need something much stabler. So we took out those old cinder blocks and moved the tire out of the way. Then the sand, shovel-full by patient shovel-full, filled up the cinder blocks. It actually went pretty fast, because most of the class helped. This time when we put the basin on top it looked just right, and the children helped scoop the rest of the sand into the top part to play with.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Now the sand toys rest in a smaller basin under the sand table, making for a much cleaner look when the table isn't in use. It's easier to get the sand cleaned up from around the bottom edges, too. We can remove the plug and let it drain when rain fills it up with too much water, and it is a better shape and size for multiple children without taking up much more space. Best of all, the children can stand up to use it.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I love that we were able to put in at least twice as much sand as we used in the sandbox, because the basin is deeper. I think it makes for a better work area than before, when it was common to scrape the bottom because children kept carrying off cupfuls to work with at a table, and then spilling them on their way back and forth.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I'd love to hear some more ideas about how to improve our playground! The chain link, especially, seems very... industrial, to me, partially because the area is fairly small and the fence is so high compared to all the little toddler furniture. I'd like to make it more beautiful all the way around, and maximize the space - so everything that takes up space must have a purpose, just like the classroom.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Post ideas in the comments, please!</span>
<br />
<hr width="80%" />
<strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08862217241561467690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-13159677753531929782012-08-17T15:03:00.004-07:002012-08-17T15:04:37.753-07:00Dramatic Play: The Perfect Play or a Poor Substitute for Reality?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">There's been a lot of information going around lately about giving kids "dramatic play" opportunities. <a href="http://notjustcute.com/2012/08/14/why-are-preschoolers-being-expelled/">One article that has been circulating through my facebook feed tells about a correlation between the lack of dramatic play and the increase in preschool expulsions.</a> While I can understand how they drew that conclusion, I think there are better ways to let children experience the same benefits.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Dramatic play is almost always a reenactment of something children have seen others do, so if we can give them real things instead of play things, that is better. Who needs to pretend when you can do it for real? Montessori discovered this through observation a hundred years ago - many of the same misconceptions were popular then as now, and she tried all of the common "wisdom" as well as her own ideas. She found that once children had reasonably developed abilities of concentration, they consistently chose real objects and real work over pretend objects and pretend work. Only after observing this repeatedly did she remove the toys from the environment.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">One early childhood education website states, "<a href="http://www.wiu.edu/thecenter/art/artexpress/draplay.html">Dramatic play permits children to fit the reality of the world into their own interests and knowledge.</a>" This supports the benefits of offering real materials as much as possible, as long as there is an appropriate use for them in the child's life. The same site also says, "<a href="http://www.wiu.edu/thecenter/art/artexpress/draplay.html">Opportunities for dramatic play that are spontaneous, child-initiated, and open-ended are important for all young children.</a>" And again, this is something that real tools can provide just as readily.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Of course, sometimes they will have read a book, or seen a picture, or watched a television program including something that just isn't, realistically, a part of their life. This is where imagination can come in most effectively. If they want to pretend to be a prince or princess (for example) and they want a crown, we can let them explore different ways to make one. Then they are using their idea of what a crown is, and imagining how to create it with materials that are accessible. If we simply give them a crown, we deprive them of the opportunity to be creative , and we limit their imagination. Montessori did speak highly of imagination, but only as far as it can help someone achieve their goals. If it doesn't help achieve a goal - if it can't be used in the real world - then for all intents and purposes imagination is an escape from reality. I think we need to be careful about promoting that.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This also brings fantasy play into question. While fantasy is often included in dramatic play, it is only because adults have introduced children to it initially - a child who has never heard of unicorns won't use them in pretend play. Therefore, the element of fantasy used in pretend play are based on what adults <i>think </i>children are interested in, instead of what we <i>observe </i>that children are interested in... and children are interested in almost everything! We don't need to manufacture a false reality to hold their attention. In fact, it does them a disservice, because when children are young, they are still learning about reality. Introducing fantasy before they can comprehend the difference just makes sorting things out more difficult later.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">When people speak about the importance of dramatic play, what they really mean is that children need outlets to help process what they have observed and experiment with it. They also mean that children need to be able to direct their own activity at least part of the time, which is really what allows them to process and experiment. These statements I agree with wholeheartedly - what I disagree with is the need for fantasy or for dramatic play objects.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The benefits are more apparent with real materials, which respond to their use in an accurate way. For example, a child using a plastic drill won't actually drill anything, and won't have any opportunities to learn about the function, proper use, or control of a drill. A child who is shown how to use a real drill and given freedom (with supervision) to drill into real wood gets a much richer experience without losing the benefits. Real activities that don't require such close supervision, such as vacuuming, are even better because the child doesn't need an adult to be available in order to do the activity.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Of course, we shouldn't discourage <i>child-initiated</i> dramatic play based on media, but we also shouldn't provide props that are designed to be used a specific way. Instead, we should encourage the child to come up with his own ways of making them out of what is available to him, and let him decide <i>what </i>props he needs to complete his play.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Unfortunately, there's one big problem with the idealistic concept I just presented: children see those kinds of toys at other people's houses, on television, in the stores, and so on. Almost every time he sees them they are portrayed as the most awesome, amazing toy that he <i>has to have</i> or miss out on everything worth living for. And, since I can't advocate for creating a family of shut-ins, I know you're going to encounter them. So what do you do? I guess you just have to use your best judgment on what to let in and what to keep out, based on your family's value system. If you have any ideas about how to do this, please share with other readers in the comment section!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Now, don't get me wrong - there are definitely worse things out there than fantasy and dramatic play. I do think, however, that it is important to let it be child initiated and child directed every time.</span></div>
<br />
<hr width="80%" />
<strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-82437091287438950282012-05-02T14:49:00.002-07:002012-05-02T14:49:23.977-07:00Guest Post: Just Because my Child Says "Female" Doesn't Mean That She is Smart<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Today
we are so lucky to have a guest post from my good friend Shawn
McGormley. I have known Shawn for about six years, since we were
roommates during our primary training. Shawn is AMI Montessori
trained for both Primary and Elementary, and makes beautiful
materials for both groups which she sells <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/montessorimaterial?ref=ss_profile">here</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This is
her response to everyone who's ever called her daughter "smart"
when they really mean that she is knowledgeable. Enjoy:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.17in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Lately
Dakota has started using the terms male and female with her Schleich
animals (which happen to be anatomically correct). Most of the time
it is with the females. We have read books to her about baby animals
where she sees the babies feed from the mother. The main book was a
board book aimed at toddlers. When there is an obvious difference in
an animal I might mention that it is a female or male. I have just
given her this word instead of "girl cow" or "mommy
cow." She knows that female means girl and sometimes mommy.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.17in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.17in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I
don't believe that knowing this word (or other "advanced"
words) means that she is smart. Young children are sponges. They want
to know the names of things. If I only had a nickle for every time
that Dakota has asked me "What's that?" in the last two
months! She often asks about things that she already knows. I think
that she is checking to see if there is a more specific name that she
hasn't been taught yet. She knows it is a dog, but she doesn't know
that it is a German shepherd. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.17in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.17in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Dakota
may or may not be smart, but knowing what a female or a chimpanzee or
a lemur is at 2 1/2 does not mean that she is smart.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-2098421745295576312012-04-30T14:06:00.000-07:002012-04-30T14:06:34.452-07:00Great Gardening<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Most people agree that gardening is a great experience for children, and the organic garden at our school is one of the things that parents find attractive about our campus. But did you ever wonder what exactly they learn from gardening? Well, if you did, wonder no more. The following is a list of the ways gardening can be used as part of a Montessori curriculum, blending into all areas of the classroom... or any learning environment, really. It was originally written over a year ago, as part of a grant application. Although we weren't chosen to receive the grant, it was still useful to put all of the ideas together in one place, so we can try to be consistent about applying them :) Here they are! Orange text has been changed from the original or added.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><b>Toddler
(<span style="color: #b45f06;">18</span> months to 3 years):</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Practical</u><u>
</u><u>Life:</u> the garden provides practical life experiences such
as food preparation, planting, and harvesting. The toddlers will be
able to plant and harvest low-maintenance fruits and vegetables,
leading to discussions about where food comes from and how it grows.
They will have first-hand experience using the food grown in the
garden for simple food preparation activities, such as cucumber
cutting. Practical life activities such as gardening also help to
promote independence, fine motor coordination, concentration, and
respect for one's environment. In addition, the garden serves an an
introduction to cultivated plants and the ways that people use them,
giving a glimpse of cross-cultural values.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Language:</u>
using the garden, the toddlers will learn the names of fruits and
vegetables, as well as the names of the parts of the plants (root,
stem, leaf, branch, petal, stamen, pistil, etc). They will learn to
classify plants as flowers, vegetables, or fruits. They will also
learn the terminology associated with gardening activity, such as the
names of the tools used, and words that are introduced as part of the
science lessons.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Science:</u>
the garden provides opportunities to briefly introduce the children
to the idea of chemistry. For example, they will learn that plant
matter breaks into pieces and and becomes food for new plants. They
will also learn that the plant needs certain things, such as sunlight
and water, in order to stay alive. The garden will also provide
entomology experiences, as well as the opportunity to observe insects
in their natural habitat and discuss how they help or hinder plant
growth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><b>Primary
(3-6 years):</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Practical</u><u>
</u><u>Life:</u> the
primary
children
will
continue
to
learn
the
lessons
begun
in
the
toddler
class,
with
greater
breadth
and
more
independence.
The
food
preparation
activities
will
become
more
complicated.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Mathematics:</u>
food
preparation
begins
to
incorporate
measurements
and
numbers.
The
children
may
count
the
number
of
fruits
on
a
given
plant
or
the
number
of
plants
in
the
garden.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Sensorial:</u>
The
garden
will
be
associated
with
lessons
using
the
five
senses.
Children
will
smell
the
plants
and
classify
the
scents,
taste
the
foods
and
label
them
as
sweet,
salty,
sour,
or
bitter,
and
play
games
comparing
size
of
plants
or
fruits.
They
will
also
be
able
to
touch
the
plants
and
determine
texture.
They
may
play
listening
games
in
the
garden,
to
see
if
the
wildlife
nearby
makes
a
noise,
or
if
the
wind
rustles
the
leaves,
and
compare
the
sound
of
plucking
a
ripe
food
as
opposed
to
an
unripe
one.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Language:</u>
primary
children
will
experience
a
greater
breadth
of
terminology,
particularly
incorporating
the
language
from
the
sensorial
work,
as
well
as
writing
experiences
such
as
listing
the
plants
in
the
garden.
Children
may
be
given
opportunities
to
create
their
own
recipes
using
the
fruits
and
vegetables
they
have
harvested.
Children
who
are
able
to
read
will
be
offered
the
opportunity
to
read
planting
directions <span style="color: #b45f06;">or recipes</span> and
lead
the
other
children.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Science:</u>
The
lessons
started
in
the
toddler
class
become
more
defined,
and
present
a
clear
cycle.
Children
are
able
to
do
plant
dissections
and
labeling.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><b>Elementary
(6-12 years):</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Practical</u><u>
</u><u>life:</u> food
preparation
becomes
even
more
complex,
using
many
different
types
of
food
in
one
recipe.
Foods
may
be
cooked,
dried,
or
ground
for
later
use.
Gardening
can
be
done
with
very
little
intervention.
Students
may
have
experience
canning
foods
when
the
garden
produces
too
much
for
immediate
consumption.
Elementary
students
may
also
be
given
daily
tasks
to
care
for
and
maintain
the
garden,
such
as
checking
moisture
levels
in
the
soil
or
inspecting
the
fence
to
ensure
that
rabbits
and
birds
are
excluded.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Mathematics</u><u>
</u><u>and</u><u> </u><u>Science:</u>
children
can
measure
the
area
of
each
planting
space,
and
determine
how
many
plants
will
fit
in
the
area.
They
can
also
take
measurements
on
how
long
a
plant
takes
to
germinate
or
provide
fruit,
or
measure
the
size
of
a
single
fruit
and
see
how
it
changes
from
day
to
day
or
week
to
week.
The
children
can
discuss
in
detail
the
biology
of
plants,
and
the
inter-relations
between
different
plants,
insects,
and
animals.
They
can
also
measure
the
acidity
of
the
soil
or
the
fruits
and
vegetables,
using
litmus
paper
made
from
cabbage
leaves<span style="color: #b45f06;">, which they can harvest from garden cabbages</span>.
The
children
can
do
experiments
using
the
garden
plants
as
controls,
then
isolating
different
variables
on
class
plants
to
see
what
changes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Language</u><u>
</u><u>and</u><u> </u><u>Culture:</u>
the
elementary
children
can
do
research
to
find
out
which
plants
grow
well
in
our
climate,
what
some
common
challenges
are,
and
what
the
plants
need
in
order
to
be
healthy.
They
can
write
about
their
experiences
or
leave
notes
for
future
classmates,
to
share
what
they
have
learned.
Elementary
children
may
also
write
songs
or
dramatic
pieces
detailing
the
growth
or
life-cycle
of
the
garden,
to
share
with
younger
students.
They
will
learn
about
where
each
type
of
plant
comes
from,
and
how
different
cultures
traditionally
use
them.
Recipes
used <span style="color: #b45f06;">(at any level)</span> will
be
chosen
from
various
cultural
backgrounds.</span></div>
<br />
<hr width="80%" />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong></span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-3634136097766942642012-04-13T21:04:00.000-07:002012-04-13T21:04:25.245-07:00Why are there no numbers?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">As the toddler teacher at Dynamite, one of the questions I answer most often is, "do you teach counting and numbers? I don't see any materials for that..." The last part of the question shows that they already know what my answer will be, but are hoping I will reply, "well, actually, we DO teach..." But we don't.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">So <i>why </i>don't we have math materials in our class? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">There are a few reasons. The first reason is that children in the toddler community are still developing an understanding of how to control their bodies, concentrate for longer periods of time, and manage frustration. These skills may not be necessary to repeat a rote memorization of counting, but they are extremely crucial to using the math materials and doing work with any level of understanding. Even when counting one-to-one (where the child matches each number with an object while counting and does so correctly) the child must be able to keep track of each object, remembering which he has already counted and which he hasn't. If the child isn't ready and able to do that, it seems silly to teach him to repeat something he can't use and that doesn't have any meaning to him.</span> </div><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">The second reason is that the materials we use for math are initially quite large, and then quite small. Even if we had a child in our class who was able to manipulate them effective and understand their use, there would be many others who would not. The children in the toddler class have very little, if any, ability to wait for something they want. This ability is augmented by another person already having that something, and this is usually enough to stop a toddler from taking it. Math materials would necessarily only be used by the oldest and most advanced students, leaving them available for a longer portion of the day than materials that all the children can use. This gives children who are not ready more of an opportunity to misuse them and see them being misused. We don't want their absorbent minds picking up incorrect use of the materials over a long period of time. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Finally, the third and most important reason - there is a progression of materials in the primary class environment that lead to the math area, and toddlers haven't mastered them. They don't have the control of movement or the logical sequencing to even use them. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Children first learn to use the cylinder blocks, which have elements of the later materials but are more easily manipulable by small hands. Next, they work with the pink tower. The pink tower increases incrementally in all dimensions, making it easy to discern the difference in size. The child builds the tower from largest to smallest. Children working with this material are indirectly prepared for the idea of 10, and see how three dimensions changing in unison make a more of a hyperbola than a straight line. They develop their ability to visually discriminate dimension. After working with the pink tower for a while, they are introduced to the brown stair. It is slightly more challenging than the pink tower because it changes in only two dimensions. Instead of evaluating size, the children evaluate thickness. This helps them to discriminate in more detail, and see how the shape changes when only two dimensions vary. Following the brown stair, children work with the red rods. The red rods are slightly more challenging than the brown stair because (I'm betting you've already guessed this) only one dimension changes. Now the children are evaluating length. The first rod is one decimeter in length, the second is two decimeters in length, the third is three, and so on. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">In the use of every one of these materials, children are using highly mathematical concepts and evaluative skills. What I have described is merely the first lesson with each material - the barest introduction. After they've practiced with that, they take the measure of difference between each piece, they build from a distance, and match the pieces to things in the environment that are the same size/thickness/length. But these are all indirect uses of mathematics. I'm guessing you're wondering where the <i>direct </i>use comes into play? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Well, after the red rods, there is a material called the number rods. The shortest rod is identical to the shortest red rod, but then they start to alternate colors on each rod while remaining otherwise the same. The second rod is red-blue. The third is red-blue-red, and so on. Each rod is the physical embodiment of a number, with the units differentiated but not separate. Thus the child understand the concept of seven as a discrete quantity, while still seeing and feeling through the use of the material that it is made up of individual units. It's the perfect introduction to what a number actually <i>means</i>. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Why would I skip over all that beautiful preparation, that leads so perfectly into the concept of quantity, just to be able to say they know their numbers at two? Besides, they wouldn't really <i>know </i>them, not in the same way that a child who has followed this progression will. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The rest of the math materials follow in the same kind of logical progression so that by the time a child works with a material, he is <i>really ready</i> to understand it. In depth. And this deep understanding helps him be ready to understand the next material in the same way. It seems contradictory, but by not rushing things, the child is able to actually move through the concepts faster. He doesn't have to struggle to understand each one; the lessons are just challenging enough to be intriguing, and not so challenging that the child finds the work frustrating. Everything in a Montessori environment is like that. We call it "isolation of difficulty". Genius, right? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">So when someone asks me why we don't do number work in the toddler class, I know they think I should. But I'm glad we have this beautiful progression, because it shows a profound respect for the child's learning process. Knowing the Montessori way, I would never do anything else. </span></div><br />
<hr width="80%" /><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-70916376194256238972012-04-09T16:28:00.000-07:002012-04-09T16:28:35.926-07:00On So-Called Early Reading...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I just finished reading <a href="http://sunflowercreativearts.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/the-case-against-early-reading/">this article</a> citing research opposed to early reading. Most of the following post I first wrote in the comments section of that article, but I felt that this topic was incredibly important for people to understand fully and wanted to share my thoughts here. Let me start by saying that I fully agree there is a problem with the way most children learn to read and write. Several problems, in fact. But we'll stick with the problem posited in the original post - early reading (as taught by most educational institutions) doesn't add anything to a child's academic skills or knowledge down the road. In fact, children who attended "play based" preschools fared much better in several areas than those who attended preschools that focused on academic skills. The research is quite clear on that verdict, Jennifer wrote, and it's true - but I've never found any research that differentiated between children by the <i>way </i>they learned to read or their motivation for doing so. Since the vast majority of people are educated in traditional schools, whether public or private, I think it's logical to say that the research is lacking. I would even venture to say that the way most children are taught reduces their interest in doing what they are taught to do. This really isn't a new idea, in fact, <a href="http://www.alfiekohn.org/books/pbr.htm">Alfie Kohn wrote a whole book about it</a> and Montessori touched on it in a few of hers over fifty years ago.</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
The problem actually isn’t “early” reading, it’s the way traditional schools <b><i>teach </i></b>reading. When Maria Montessori developed the first Montessori schools, all she had available for the children was a set of sandpaper letters, believing that to go any farther was inappropriate for the children with whom she worked. They were ages 3-6. The children worked with the sandpaper letters and then, when they were drawing with chalk, started to write the letters they knew without any prompting from an adult. Then one child (around age 4) started to write words and prompted an “explosion into writing” for other children. Soon most of the class was writing on everything they could get their hands on – Montessori even wrote about children writing on the crusts of their bread! And then, about six months later, the second magic moment happened. One of the children realized that he (or she) could read the words he (or she) had written. This became an “explosion into reading” similar to the previous explosion into writing. All of it happened (in many different environments, with many different classes, over many years) <b><i>without reading or writing being taught at all</i></b>. All the teachers did was introduce a knowledge of phonetics and show the correct way to form the letters (which allowed the child to form a proper muscle memory of the letter shapes). They <i>only </i>did this with children who were interested in having those lessons. Most, if not all, of the parents were illiterate and couldn't teach either reading or writing. The children had these epiphanies because of their own interest in writing and reading!</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
Today we have materials that help a child progress farther into reading and writing, because Montessori discovered through these explosions that these activities <i>are </i>age appropriate for primary children. The philosophy remains the same, though, since everything Montessori advocated was based on observation of the child.</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
So yes, I agree that adults shouldn’t push reading on children, but <i>not </i>because it’s not age-appropriate. We shouldn’t push ANY kind of learning (with the exception of those few things needed for safety’s sake) for the simple reason that we only <b><i>truly </i></b>learn when we are intrinsically motivated. If we let them follow their inner teacher and simply connect them with safe opportunities to discover things, they will move farther along the educational path than any traditionally educated child will. There will be no divide between work and play because their work is joyful and pleasurable to them when they are allowed to follow their instincts. "Work" only becomes a dirty word when the task doesn't meet the worker's needs, but rather the needs or wants of an external source.</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
Of course I'm not suggesting anyone should let children run wild. Children need boundaries for physical and emotional safety, and their freedom cannot be broader than what their emotional and intellectual maturity allows then to manage effectively. But too often people assume that children need adults to fill the imaginary blank slate in their brains, and nothing could be further from the truth.</span> </div><br />
<hr width="80%" /><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-13339995410516107252012-04-05T15:30:00.000-07:002012-04-05T15:30:29.990-07:00Pattern 3 Part Cards<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I've created a new set of pattern three part cards to share with you all, using (with permission) patterns found <a href="http://www.sawdustandembryos.com/2012/03/glossary-of-design-terminology-choosing_22.html">here</a>. Thanks, <a href="http://www.sawdustandembryos.com/2012/03/glossary-of-design-terminology-choosing_22.html">Sawdust and Embryos</a>!</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">To make these cards, first print two copies at 4 sheets per page. The original images were quite small because they were part of a collage, so you definitely don't want to print them full size! Six per page would probably work, but the cutting instructions below won't be accurate. I wouldn't go smaller than that, just for ease of handling.</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Next, cut the page in half both ways - you should end up with four pages (from each sheet) that are 4.25 x 5.5. Trim the tops off so that the top margin is .5 in. Do this for all the pages of both sets. <br />
Now put aside one copy of each card - these are the control cards. On the other set, cut between the pattern and the label, making sure to cut in the same spot on each card so they stack nicely. They can be finished at this point, but for best wear, laminate using at least 3 mil plastic sheets. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Ready to go? <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-_vzrZ835jvOTVGRWpRTlBTbnF2dzNoZUxMMlhmZw">Here's the link to the Pattern Three Part Cards!</a> </span> </div><br />
<hr width="80%" /><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-65612075042632624132012-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:002012-03-07T17:03:30.087-08:00The Classroom as a Game?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I just read an article about a <a href="http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/03/how-one-teacher-turned-sixth-grade-into-an-mmo/">sixth grade teacher who turned his class into a role playing game (RPG)</a>. If you've never played them, the main idea is that you play as a character, often non-human, and that character "levels up" by gaining experience points (XP). Experience points are typically earned by fighting enemies or completing quests. As your character levels up, it becomes stronger, is able to reach new areas of the game which were not previously accessible, or earns other rewards such as better armor or stronger weapons. In the classroom, XP is earned by completing extra homework, participating in class, etc. The children compete against each other in boy vs girl teams, and the rewards are extra recess and a pizza party at the end of the year. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">On the surface it seems like a great idea. Most of the negative responses were to the teacher's boy-girl division in team-making, but in the same comment people posted that the idea itself was fantastic. One comment even suggested that it should become a part of the curriculum in all public schools. And why not? It gets kids interested in learning, right? Well... maybe. If you're starting with children who have already lost their intrinsic motivation, then yes. Give them extrinsic motivation to learn the skills they need to be successful. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">On the other hand, why should they ever lose their desire to learn? Or their desire to practice new skills just because it feels good to master something you've never been able to do before? If the extrinsic motivation is removed, say by graduating from the class, what happens then? Usually when a motivating factor is removed, the desired behavior stops. It's logical - if you only do something to get a reward, and you stop getting the reward, you'll stop doing it. Research shows, in fact, that children who are given a reward for doing something they enjoy are less likely to choose that activity in the future. Read more about that study <a href="http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/10/how-rewards-can-backfire-and-reduce-motivation.php">here</a>. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Montessori wrote about a teacher who had purchased medals for the "smartest" children, and when the idea was introduced one of the "smarter" boys cried out, "but not for the boys! Not for the boys!" He didn't want his lovely work to be sullied by a reward. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I guess my problem with the game idea has nothing to do with the idea itself. I personally really like the RPGs I play occasionally on my classic Nintendo or Sega Genesis. It's more to do with the fact that it shouldn't be necessary. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This, in my opinion, is why Montessori education is so wonderful. Our model is based on the child's desire to learn and constantly improve himself. We don't use rewards because the work itself is rewarding. It is interesting, meaningful work, and the children want to do it without any external motivation. Beautiful, isn't it? </span> </div><br />
<hr width="80%" /><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-25148829039059359972012-02-19T20:27:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:45:32.803-08:00How to Make A Square-Based Pyramid Box<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This is a great box for storing homemade materials or just for practice in opening and closing an unusual kind of box. Elementary children can make them as gift boxes or just experiment with different base sizes. I believe this qualifies as kirigami, because it is both paper folding and paper cutting (whereas origami is only paper folding, no cutting). I will try to upload a nice picture soon :)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">(follow the directions or just use the template <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-_vzrZ835jvNDYyNjczMjktZDAzNy00ZjRlLTgyN2UtNzliMTk4ZWI3MWY0">here</a>.)</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>The</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Box:</u></span></div><ol><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Using</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">piece</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">fold</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">it</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">half</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">twice</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">make</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">four</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">squares.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Make</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">size</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">you</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">want</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">your</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">base</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">out</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">separate</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">piece</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">smaller</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">base,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">pointier</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">pyramid</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be;</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">larger</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">base</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">create</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">more</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">squat</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">pyramid.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">make</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">template</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">for</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">both</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">base</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">that</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">holds</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">pyramid</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">together.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Place</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">center</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">so</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">that</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>corners</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">point</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">at</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>sides</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">larger</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">If</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">folded</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">into</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">4</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangles</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">it</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">line</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">up</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">folds</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">on</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">larger</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sheet,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">perfectly</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">centered.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Centering</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">is</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">very</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">important.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Trace</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">around</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">base</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">your</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">box.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">area</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">should</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">reinforced</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">before</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">decorating</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">box</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">if</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">not</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">using</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">thick</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">material.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Using</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">straight</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">edge,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">draw</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">line</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">from</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">corner</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">box</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">corner</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">larger</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Repeat</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">all</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">corners</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> – </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">this</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">should</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">result</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">long</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">isosceles</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangle</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">coming</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">out</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">each</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">side</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square.</span></div></li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.01in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>If</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>using</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>paper</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>or</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>cardstock</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>as</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>your</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>box:</u></span></div><ol start="6"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Trace</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">line</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">parallel</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">long</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sides</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">each</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangle</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">only</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">short</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">distance</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">away.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">section</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">folded</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">keep</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">edges</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">crisp,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">so</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">box</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">this</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">will</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">be</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">only</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">few</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">centimeters</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">thick.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">At</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">corners</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">along</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">fold,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">draw</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">line</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">out</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">that</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">bisects</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">thin</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">section.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Cut</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">away</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">excess</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">(the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">obtuse-angled</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">isosceles</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangles</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">along</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sides</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">large</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square),</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">then</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">cut</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">along</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">line</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">that</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">bisects</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">thin</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">section</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">as</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">well.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Fold</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">all</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">other</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">lines.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Trace</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">template</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">again.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Glue</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">this</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">piece</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">onto</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">bottom</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">pyramid</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">(inside</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">outside</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">according</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">your</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">preference)</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">reinforce</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">bottom.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Punch out the circles with a hole punch.</span></div></li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.01in; text-indent: -0.01in;"> <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>If</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>making</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>the</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>box</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>out</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>of</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>a</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>thick</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>material</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>such</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>as</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> wood, </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>cardboard</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>or</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>plastic:</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span> </div><ol start="10"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">trace</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">onto</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">thick</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">material</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>leaving</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>off</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>the</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>thin,</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>folding</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>piece</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Cut</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">out</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangles</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">separately</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">from</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">attach</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">flexible</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">tape</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">before</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">covering</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">fabric</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">decorative</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Drill a 1/4 inch hole through each circle.</span></div></li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>The</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Closing</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Square:</u></span></div><ol start="12"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Trace</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">from</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">base</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">box.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">becomes</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">outside</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">closing</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Determine</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">how</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">far</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">down</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">from</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">tip</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">box</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">you</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">want</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">closing</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">fall.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Measure</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">width</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangle</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">at</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">that</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">height.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">In</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">center</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> “</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">large</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">” </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">draw</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sides</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">same</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">length</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">as</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">width</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">triangle.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Cut</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">out</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">small</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">from</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">center</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">of</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">closing</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">If</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">using</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">cardstock,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">fold</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">corners</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">so</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">they</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">meet</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">inner</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">corners.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Fold</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sides</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">so</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">they</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">meet</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">inner</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sides.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Tape</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">glue</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">sides</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">in</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">place</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">if</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">desired.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">If</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">using</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">thick</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">material,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">leave</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">closing</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">square</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">as</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">is,</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">trim</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">it</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">desired</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">size.</span></div></li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>The</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u> </u></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><u>Stick:</u></span></div><ol start="17"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Cut</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> 1/4 inch </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">dowel</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">(or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">tight</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">roll</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">paper</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">roll)</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> slightly longer than the side of the closing square.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Attach</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">ribbon</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">or</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">other</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">decoration</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">stick</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">if</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">desired.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I am posting this without having tested the template that I posted (I made one by hand but haven't yet printed the computer one), so if you have any trouble please comment and I will fix any errors or talk you through it more thoroughly. Enjoy! </span></div></li>
</ol></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-71885659010138681572012-01-19T12:43:00.000-08:002012-01-19T12:55:55.394-08:001 Month Sample Lunch Menu<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.23in;"><span style="font-family: 'Levenim MT';"> This is a sample lunch menu for a whole month. Some of the meals include nuts or nut butters, so please take that into account if your child's class is nut free. The blue meals are suitable for vegetarian families and the pink ones are suitable for vegan families, assuming that they've purchased or made vegan bread products. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.23in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.23in;"><span style="font-family: 'Levenim MT';"> Some children don't mind eating last night's leftovers cold, or even prefer it that way, but even if they want their food warm there's a solution. You can always pack hot food in a thermos and keep it un-refrigerated until lunch. Four hours in a thermos leaves food that is exactly as warm as most children like it! </span></div><br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="5" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"><colgroup><col width="152"></col><col width="144"></col><col width="149"></col><col width="144"></col><col width="144"></col></colgroup> <tbody>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="21" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE" width="152"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Monday</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE" width="144"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Tuesday</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE" width="149"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Wednesday</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE" width="144"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Thursday</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE" width="144"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Friday</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" height="139" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">A hard-boiled egg with two slices of homemade French toast spread with pureed raspberries, and peas</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Diced chicken, bow-tie pasta, and small pieces of broccoli tossed in olive oil, with apple slices</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Rice noodles in chicken broth with carrots and broccoli, a roll, and watermelon chunks</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Homemade macaroni and cheese with peas and/or carrots mixed in, and orange slices</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Baked tofu strips (marinated in soy sauce and garlic, then breaded), strawberries, and cauliflower</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="117" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Slices of grilled steak, raw baby carrots, multi-grain crackers, and blueberries.</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Bean and rice burrito on small wheat tortilla, green beans, and pitted cherries</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Celery with peanut butter and raisins, mixed nuts, an apple, and buttered tri-colored pasta</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">quinoa cooked in pineapple juice with chunks of pineapple and cashews; sugar snap peas</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Egg salad sandwich with vegan mayonnaise, bell pepper strips, and halved grapes</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="115" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Beef stew with potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion, with dried or fresh mango</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">An apple with almond butter, cornbread, and broccoli with melted cheddar</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Chicken quesadilla, pear slices, and cooked carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower medley</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Plain yogurt mixed with fresh or frozen berries, lightly salted green beans, pear slices, and crackers</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Roast beef sandwich with melted provolone, cooked zucchini spears, and fresh mango chunks</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" height="134" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Small whole grain tortilla rolls filled with plain yogurt, applesauce, and peanut butter, and (separately) cucumbers</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Fresh spinach salad with pecans, strawberries, and low-fat raspberry vinaigrette dressing and a roll</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"> Berries mixed in cottage cheese, butter tossed pasta with parmesan, and lightly salted green beans</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Thin crispy crackers, spread with almond butter and decorated with raisins, apple bits, and celery moons</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Turkey roll-ups, with unsweetened cranberry-apple spread, cooked and sliced yellow squash, and a dinner roll</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="134" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Beans and rice, raw sugar snap peas, a roll, and dried pineapples</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Cheese tortellini with tiny chunks of broccoli and red sauce (or pesto), and strips of red bell peppers</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Tuna salad made with cucumber, garbanzo beans, tomato, salt, pepper and lemon juice, on crackers; halved grapes</span></td> <td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Chicken soup, (with potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and pasta) with orange slices</span></td> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Homemade egg fried rice with broccoli and carrots, and kiwi</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" height="18" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" height="21" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">vegetarian meal</span></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> <td align="CENTER" colspan="3" rowspan="2" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">any of these meals can be made gluten-free by using gluten free pastas or bread products</span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="CENTER" bgcolor="#FFCC99" height="59" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">vegan meal (if using vegan bread products)</span></td> <td align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br />
</span></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-49734479949209283182011-12-21T13:58:00.000-08:002011-12-21T14:00:42.264-08:00Read All About It!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This post follows "<a href="http://montessorimoments-dynamite.blogspot.com/2011/12/write-stuff.html">The 'Write' Stuff</a>". It describes beginning reading materials and their use.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Once a child is writing proficiently
(usually around 4.5) he will begin to spontaneously read what he has
written. At this point the child begins to work with the <b>phonetic
object box</b>. This, as the name implies, is a box with five to
seven objects in it that are spelled phonetically. The teacher writes
the name of one object on a slip of paper, slowly, and the child says
the sound of each letter out loud as she does so. Then he puts the
sounds together and “guesses” which object was named. This
repeats until all the objects are labeled. For repeat use, there is a
set of papers already labeled with the names of the objects, or the
teacher may continue to write.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The <b>phonogram object box</b> is
introduced after the phonetic object box. It is almost identical, but
one of the objects (the last one named) is not phonetic. Rather, it
uses one phonogram such as “ch” or “oo”, and the rest of the
word remains phonetic. The teacher helps the child remember
phonograms by isolating them if necessary, either covering the rest
of the word or using a phonogram as the beginning sound and pausing
dramatically while the child determines the sound. The phonogram is
treated as one letter, just as it was in the sandpaper letter work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Puzzle words</b> are also introduced
after the phonetic object box. While similar to traditional
education's “sight words”, these are not simply easy words to
recognize on sight. Puzzle words are, instead, words that cannot be
figured out using either phonetic sounds or phonograms. They are like
a puzzle – you can't tell what the “picture” is until you put
all the pieces together and see the whole thing. These words are
typed or handwritten on cards and the child learns three at a time,
in a three period lesson. This involves learning the word (first
period), matching the spoken word to the written word (second
period), and giving the spoken word in response to the written word
(third period, i.e. reading).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All words in the English language can
be deciphered using one of those three methods, so once the child is
reasonable proficient with these activities he can begin to do work
with more challenging words. The picture cards used for spoken
language activities come into use again, but this time as <b>three
part cards</b>. One part includes both an image and the written word
(all lowercase, in an easy to read font like Century Gothic). Another
part includes just an image, and the third includes just the word.
All cards in a set are cut identically. To use these, the child lays
out the control cards with space between them. He then places the
matching picture card next to the control card, and turns the control
cards over so they are no longer visible. He reads the words, and
places them beneath the matching image. When he has completed all the
sets, he turns the control cards back over to check his work. Each
classroom has several three part card sets on the shelves at any
given time, and even more in storage for rotation.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The three part cards branch out into
“parts of...” and “kinds of...” cards, as well as developing
more fully into <b>definition booklets</b>. For example, a “parts
of the flower” set will highlight the different parts of the flower
(pistil, stamen, corolla, etc) in color, while the rest of the image
remains an outline. These will be three part cards, but there will
also be a booklet that describes each part of the flower on a
separate page. For example:</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <span style="color: red;">calyx</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
is the green part</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
that holds the flower
together.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This definition is repeated, split up
in different ways, for the child to match the parts of the definition
to each other and to the image. The booklet is for initially defining
terms and to use as a control so the child can check his work.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This list is (by far) not all of the
reading work in a Montessori environment, but the next post will
describe spoken language activities (which really should have been
the FIRST post) so that after that we can go into the parts of speech
and more advanced language work.</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08862217241561467690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-28012091296158148052011-12-19T14:16:00.000-08:002011-12-21T14:00:55.240-08:00The "Write" StuffThough contrary to traditional education methods, Montessori discovered that children can write before they can read. In the first classrooms, children given instruction in the sandpaper letters (2.5 - 3) spontaneously began to write around age 4, and then to read what they had written about six months later. This pattern was repeated by many children in classrooms all over the world.<br />
This is partially because, in our classrooms, we have many activities that start a child on the path to developing proficiency with written language, well before we expect him to do so. These activities build coordination and hand strength, recognition of sounds, and give practice in how letters are formed. Practical life activities help a child practice logical sequencing, develop his pencil grip, and increase his concentration. <br />
Spoken language activities help a child develop vocabulary and learn syntax, as well as helping to classify the world around him, and a sensorial activity called the touch boards helps him maintain finger sensitivity. This helps avoid cramps when writing with a pencil. <br />
These activities are started immediately (practical life beginning in the toddler community and sensorial from the first day in primary), far before writing and reading. <br />
<br />
The first activity a child does that officially leads into reading and writing is called “<b>sound games</b>”. This game is usually guided by an adult or older child, and several objects are gathered strategically. Each object has a different starting sound, avoiding sounds that are too similar (like b and p). Each person takes turns holding an object in their hands, and says, “I'm holding in my hand something that starts with the sound ___.” Then the other players “guess” what he is holding. When the children are good at this, they can begin to do it without picking up an item. They might say, “There's something on the tray that starts with the sound ___.” When the children become more proficient they can play this game with middle and ending sounds as well.<br />
Sound games are appropriate for any child who is reasonably verbal, and are played in the toddler class as well as the primary. In the primary they often run parallel to the sandpaper letters. <br />
<br />
<b>Sandpaper letters</b> are formed out of (gasp) sandpaper, and backed by a painted wooden rectangle (blue, pink, or green). The child can easily see the shape of each letter, and is shown how to trace it with two fingers. We don't name the letters, but rather call them by the sound they make. This reduces the number of steps a child goes through when sounding a word out later – instead of, “this is b, b says 'buh',” the child can just say “buh”. The sandpaper letters with the green backgrounds are phonograms such as “ch” or “ea”. <br />
<br />
The <b>movable alphabet</b> is the first opportunity a child has to actually “write”. He knows the sounds of several letters (from his work with the sandpaper letters), and can make lists, write a sentence, or even tell a story with these easily held cursive letters. Spelling is not a priority with this material (though it is part of the curriculum later), as it is important to develop confidence with the writing process first. <br />
<br />
The <b>metal insets</b> are a series of geometric shapes which are traced with colored pencils to make a design. There are several lessons which become more challenging as the student becomes more proficient with using a pencil. This material isolates the difficulty of using a pencil from the difficulty of creating words, and the two are merged after individual mastery.<br />
<br />
A<b> sand tray</b> helps a child practice handwriting before using paper, so he can simply shake away mistakes. <b>Chalkboards</b> can also be used for this purpose, and writing on a vertical surface helps to develop shoulder strength. Strips of paper are next, and finally sheets of <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2hwBBerqpY4MGI1NDkzNTktYTYwNS00MTRiLTlkMzgtZWEwNGFmYTk0MmE2">special lined paper</a></b> (feel free to use this paper at home or give a binder-full as a gift) which often have a space for illustrations.<br />
<br />
The next post will describe the materials used next, to help a child teach himself to read! Stay tuned... :)Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08862217241561467690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-39388681452105511462011-12-14T13:24:00.001-08:002011-12-14T15:16:51.450-08:00Snowman "Anything Kit" TutorialToday I'm going to share with you a tutorial for a super easy, super adorable winter craft. It makes a good project to do with children, and the insides are an activity for another time. Alternately, it could be a party favor at a winter party - and since it's not associated with any particular holiday you can use it for any group at any time. The toddler class at Dynamite is making them (with some grown-up help) at our holiday party.<div>Before we start, here's a little disclaimer: according to Montessori principles, art should be open-ended, or a project that the child designs independently and then fulfills. This project, while fun and awesome, doesn't really follow Montessori curriculum guidelines.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO19wXX3PaWZdygch1TRUqzvWnWUs8uvozCDiNTRk6wan5KoN67vLBefTib50cUeAQt6lB-HBS4QZqLS5cGST8e0y6Jw34wfse5gKV-1iqmQ8mX6VOvFEErq0Qjbt9n992g8MKWa21Abc/s1600/DSCN6374.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO19wXX3PaWZdygch1TRUqzvWnWUs8uvozCDiNTRk6wan5KoN67vLBefTib50cUeAQt6lB-HBS4QZqLS5cGST8e0y6Jw34wfse5gKV-1iqmQ8mX6VOvFEErq0Qjbt9n992g8MKWa21Abc/s200/DSCN6374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686099630975074738" /></a><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't he cute? He's a snowman "anything kit". For this tutorial I made him into a play dough kit using the easiest recipe I know: salt, flour, optional kool-aid for color/scent, and water.</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfmMRcpA5_Ycy5TqpWZ9sNPm1lQsmqh1fxwMBcJhKErfXJMPbfsd-Fpb-k9ghz9SQ7QC8RSTbPCk1pUeDkT3j5urAnYJ6ne4DYHKmu2_xMGA16gwKhDoRrL9FXPe29kTyPr8aMqcVPRs/s200/DSCN6376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686101423719764562" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div>Ready to get started? Here's what you need:</div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3 identical white or clear takeout sauce containers, with lids</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>black acrylic paint and paint brush</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>tacky glue</div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>permanent marker (orange would be nice for a nose)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>black construction paper</div><div><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>not pictured: scissors and tape</i></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWCovkTloxMfEOMwAupnuTQkFaVPpMcRwHqjOXOD5UwWFaoegS5-lB6dwl89uXDPIh7K8jSu76zzZEH5yRajjMqwRMVhWquujV7EQI5cTo6q5IfaCVQN1N72nPfy2opxikD0-vSY1AZY/s200/DSCN6377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686104265594259746" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>First, you'll want to paint the lid of ONE of the sauce containers black. I snapped it onto its cup to hold it off of my work surface, and painted carefully. Acrylic paint is water cleanup ONLY while it's still wet, so if you get any on your clothes take care of it right away.</div></div><div><div>Let the lid dry while you do the other steps. Depending on your climate, it might take longer to dry, so take that into account too.</div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCASb9GkqnbwB37ZonusvK5Q-SfqZWbxU0xs8SbsoC_B-nLwxdyRUIa6Lb0KrJu86_jp57Up67sgGjCuwW1N-ojYDdk0f-RnuRWUMvPk3vReFfVHTdnCejACv2wXEuNppdsPUix-47WA/s200/DSCN6379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686104271435009522" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div>Next, you'll need to fill the other two containers with items of your choice. I did flour and salt, but you could do glue and objects, beads and string, any kind of small trinkets or even candies. Eventually we'll have another container to fill up, too, so you'll need a third, complementary item later. Mine will be blue kool-aid, because the sauce cups aren't water tight and everyone has water at home</div><div> anyway. Kool-aid is slightly harder to come by :).</div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mfAmQ4Fr1dsGJB0y8jaJgNuQN7rT3S-4SGkPjzM2oHpgBePkxxXiW7vzMBudaVzI6CGNa6XbSR0USXhxuCU4c0KTCkGJKH2YyLRA7KKjcDMUJTYLEhu5UyEye5htG_2lna7mWiRe_5I/s200/DSCN6384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686104270609018306" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div>Once the items are loaded in the sauce cups, put their lids on and glue them together. The two bottom pieces will be glued lid to lid, so the bottom one will be right side up and the middle one will be upside down. Then glue the top one (the one with the black lid) in place, right side up, on top. DO NOT glue the lids onto their cups unless you never want to open it. Now is a good time to remove the top lid and add the third item, because you'll be working with the black lid next.</div></div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzmB5WntV02_CZUhphi6rTY0oR1UJ2-cU8a-_qCS120OHF4d8L87YGY2qwHEK21sFpYeAbX_Rj2H-WWmPzbat2Pd4QgrCUm6MFOUYJ6OxmkGcen_8BFl2tOMmjLPH2lCz6VjPd5GtP7s/s200/DSCN6387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686104286354771330" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div>Cut your black construction paper into a long rectangle (mine was approximately 3" x 1"). The long side will be the circumference of the circle you will make to be the tall part of the top hat. The height of the top hat will be equal to the short side. I used the inner ring of the lid as my guide, and cut the paper so it made a nice loop inside the little crevice with a small overlap. Once you have it the way you like it, tape it shut and glue it in place with the</div><div> tacky glue. If your lids have a crevice like mine did, you can glue it there and it will be nice and sturdy.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUnoINQ07DuzTi_dSOhsRDxT1kqK8yajiXY-RYkSRBIdJGNdKKaWQEMVFgl8pJR_y7oe4NWLZ9IWjCgkVKqBHe1PWYisTkSKZbyNKv3RfnTmCy8aKihdNAQe4XvBUeuvlj__t55XPfgA/s200/DSCN6374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686113692185953874" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The final step is to decorate him. I just used a black sharpie (remember, I'll be doing this with 2-year olds so even that is a big mess risk), but I think he would be even cuter with real sticks hot glued to his sides and real tiny buttons, plus maybe a little striped scarf and a tiny carrot nose. If you're doing it with older children or by yourself, get creative and do them however you like!</div><span><span><br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08862217241561467690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-54591457804641433562011-12-02T16:03:00.001-08:002011-12-07T13:35:04.099-08:00Dynamite's Toileting Policy<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Our policy is to follow the Association Montessori International guidelines as closely as possible; this includes beginning or continuing toilet training in the toddler program. Being toilet-trained contributes to a child's readiness to enter the primary class, which is a major goal of the toddler program. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Children in the toddler class wear cloth training underwear, in accordance with the potty training goal. This process involves each child being guided to the restroom <b>approximately</b> every 30 minutes <b>depending on individual needs</b>, and it does not involve disposable products such as diapers or pull ups. Requests to use the toilet will not interrupt the child's work, but rather be timed so that the child is in-between activities and therefore not disturbed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Children will be encouraged to use the toilet but have the option to decline. We will <u>NEVER</u> force a child to use the toilet or make him feel ashamed for soiling his clothes. We simply remove the soiled clothes in the bathroom, clean the child, and put on fresh clothes. Then we cheerfully suggest that next time, maybe he or she will “make it to the bathroom in time”, or “choose to use the toilet”. When a child soils his or her clothing, a staff member will guide the child to the restroom for cleaning while another staff member cleans any parts of the classroom that may have become soiled. The classroom areas will be sanitized using an approved disinfectant, as per the Arizona Health Department regulations. The cleaning process will always happen immediately after the child's clothing has been soiled, and no child will ever be left to sit in soiled clothing.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Many children entering the toddler program aren't fully potty trained, and many begin in our class. To accommodate this, we have child-sized toilets in the bathrooms and the supply list includes thick cloth training underwear. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>To make the process as simple as possible, we recommend elastic waist pants or shorts with NO buttons or snaps. Dresses and elastic waist skirts are also good, but we request that parents avoid overalls, belts, and any article of clothing that is too stiff or tight for the child to manipulate.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Potty training successes and attempts will be recorded daily, as will instances of soiled clothing. The head teacher will communicate daily or weekly with parents, depending on the child's progress. The amount of time it takes for complete success varies from child to child, however our experience is that for most children, potty training is successful more quickly if children have consistent potty training routines everywhere. </div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-88637195037737545612011-11-18T14:17:00.000-08:002011-11-18T15:24:38.169-08:00Cooking with Kids<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><i>This is the last post about food for a while, I just had so much to say that I couldn't squeeze it all into one post for the Carnival of Natural Parenting!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Food preparation is full of great lessons for a child of any age. The opportunity to provide something so basic for oneself is a huge self esteem booster, and parents can use the shared time to discuss all kinds of things like healthy food choices, where the food comes from, tidbits about food science or how to measure ingredients. Older children can help read the recipe and practice fractions by reading the measuring cups or using (for example) two ¼ cups instead of a ½ cup. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Make sure to choose a recipe that doesn't have to be perfect, and that has something for your child to do at each step of the process. If you like, you can prepare a binder of simple and appropriate recipes for your child to choose from. (Check <a href=”http://montessorimoments-dynamite.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-childrens-cookbook.html ”>this post</a> for instructions about how to make a child's cookbook.) </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">A food that is prepared on a tabletop and then baked or otherwise cooked works out best, unless your child is mature enough to help you at the stove top. Choose a recipe that won't strain your child's attention span too much – I've found that my toddlers tend to lose focus after forty-five minutes or an hour, and if the recipe takes longer than that I'm finishing it by myself. An older child would probably focus longer. Make sure you plan for it to take about twice as long as it would if you were doing it by yourself.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">With a toddler, it's important to have all the ingredients and materials ready before you begin – if ingredients need to be room temperature take them out of the refrigerator ahead of time. Have the project ready to go and invite him to join you at a moment when he isn't busy. An older child can help pick the recipe and gather the materials, and still be engaged for the entire activity.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Once the materials are assembled, remind the child to wash his hands and put on an apron. Then give direction by showing what to do. If ingredients need to be cut, Use a cutting board to define the work space and protect your table. A wavy cutter or butter knife is safe for little hands and you can show what size to cut the pieces (but don't be too picky or he might get discouraged). A more proficient child can use a sharp knife with supervision.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">If ingredients need to be measured, you can show how to use the back of a butter knife to scrape off the excess from the measuring cup or spoon – toddlers find this absolutely magical. Eggs can be cracked into a mug or bowl first, and checked for shell pieces before adding to the main bowl. The pieces will stick better to a large piece of shell than to a finger. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Have your child help you clean up while the food is cooking. He can put away ingredients, wash dishes in a pair of basins or help load the dishwasher, and wipe the table. An older child (or a younger child with some guidance) could sort trash from compost and recyclables. He can also set the table for the meal or snack; if you want to get really fancy, pick up a book about napkin folding and try a few folds out together.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Finally, I have one somewhat controversial piece of advice for you: consider letting your child use a toaster oven for baking. Get a pair of child sized oven mitts and show how to put food in with the oven mitts on. You can cut down an adult pair (leave the arms long) or <a href=”http://thelongestyear.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/03/oven_mitt_tutor.html”>make your own</a>. After he develops consistent control, you can let him take the food out, too. I have seen three-year-olds use a toaster oven safely... the key is adult guidance. Never leave your child alone with a hot appliance and if you have any doubts about his ability to use it safely, don't offer it as an option. But don't underestimate him, either – a vast majority of children will instinctively understand that using real tools carries the responsibility of being careful. They take it very seriously.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The most important thing to do when cooking with a child is to have fun and to make it fun for him. It's a great opportunity for learning and bonding, but he won't want to do it at all if the experience is stressful, and neither will you. Honestly, it's a lot easier and more fun than you might think!</span> </div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><strong>Montessori Moments is a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong> </span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-78608528649996072012011-11-15T14:05:00.001-08:002011-11-18T15:25:09.253-08:00How to Make a Children's Cookbook<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">This cookbook is intended to make cooking as simple as possible, for a young child to do independently. Making it yourself ensures that all the recipes meet your family's nutritional goals and you can include only foods your child likes or add new foods to try. The list of ingredients can be in picture form for a child who doesn't read yet, and knowledge of fractions is not necessary to follow the recipes! It will quickly become your child's favorite resource.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">What you'll need:<br />
simple, healthy, recipes that don't require tools your child can't use independently (can opener, vegetable peeler, etc). You can start with only a few recipes and add to the cookbook as time passes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Plain colored measuring cups and spoons – metal or clear/white plastic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Colored dot stickers – at least 6 different colors</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">A three-ring binder and three hole punch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">for a very young child: camera and all ingredients OR internet photo search skills</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 1: Attach a different color of dot sticker to the handle of each measuring tool. Don't repeat colors! Secure each one with a small square of packing tape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 2: Title the recipe and, optionally, put a picture of the finished food at the top. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 3: List the ingredients in a column using your word processor. Indent them ½ inch. Underneath, write the directions as simply as possible – for very young children use pictures instead of typing the words, and use recipes where all the ingredients are simply mixed together so no directions are needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 4: Format it in an easy to read font (like Century Gothic) and arrange the margins to your liking. Make the left margin bigger (I used 1.5 inch) so the words don't get chopped up when you hole punch it later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 5: Print the recipes. Add colored dot stickers next to each ingredient to show which measuring cup to use – this is why you indented the ingredients list earlier. If you need two cups, put two dots that match the one on the measuring cup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 6: Laminate the recipes! If you don't laminate your pages they will be floppy and get dirty fast! If you don't have a laminator, you can have it done at a copy shop or teaching store. They also sell cold press laminating sheets that don't go through a machine, but I haven't ever used those so I can't say as to their quality or ease of use. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Step 7: Hole punch the recipes and load them into the binder. Add more as you discover them, and as your child gets older you can begin to use recipes with more complex directions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Some ideas to start with:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Fruit Salad - list fruits that you usually have at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Egg Salad - keep hard boiled eggs ready on a low shelf. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Yogurt Parfait – plain yogurt, chopped fruit, nuts/granola or dry cereal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Tuna Spread – tuna from a pouch, mayo or mayo substitute, and celery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Deviled Eggs – cut hard boiled eggs in half and mix yolks with mayo or mayo substitute, then scoop back in.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><strong>Montessori Moments is a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong> </span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-28618278132367327382011-11-08T00:01:00.000-08:002011-11-18T15:25:32.496-08:00Independent Food Preparation: My Toddler Can Do That?<strong>Welcome to the November Carnival of Natural Parenting: Kids in the Kitchen</strong><br />
<em>This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2011/11/november-carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank">Hobo Mama</a> and <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2011/11/08/nov-carnatpar/" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>. This month our participants have shared how kids get involved in cooking and feeding. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.</em><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">It seems to be a cultural norm that children under a certain age are simply served food, without having any chance to participate in making it or even choosing it. It's much easier than showing a child what to do and giving him time to do it... in the short term. In the long term, giving children some control over what they eat not only saves time, it also promotes independence and a positive attitude toward food. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">There are a lot of ways that a toddler (and therefore also an older child) can prepare his own snacks, and they only require a minimum of preparation. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I like to have a fruit, a vegetable, a grain, and a protein available for children to snack on, and pack them up an hour or so before mealtimes. If your child is on a special diet, use your judgment. The idea is to offer a variety of healthy foods – three or four choices are ideal.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">For most foods (like celery, cucumber, carrots, pears, or melon), you'll need to set up a cutting work. The tools you will need are a tray, a child sized apron, a small cutting board, and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegetable-Crinkle-Cutter-French-Slicer/dp/B001UANLM8/ref=dp_cp_ob_k_title_3">crinkle cutter</a>. I like to make them match, so that it is obvious that they go together and are used for a single activity. If your child is older and you feel comfortable with it, you could skip the wavy cutter and provide a knife instead – but keep it out of reach of younger siblings who aren't ready to use one safely yet.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Do a little pre-cutting, so that the foods are already in a single serving size and have a flat edge. For an English cucumber, for example, I would remove the ends, slice lengthwise, and then cut each half into three or four segments. In the classroom, I put a few on a plate with a glass dome over it next to the cutting work, but you could just as easily put it in a container in the refrigerator. Just make sure it's low enough for your child to reach independently – if you prepare more of a particular food than you want your child to eat in a day, store the rest up higher and move it within reach later. Also be sure to use a container that he can open himself.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Cheese can be cut with the cutting work, or you could get a <a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=cheese+slicer&gs_upl=25943l25943l0l26968l1l1l0l0l0l0l240l240l2-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=537&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5577772493533851466&sa=X&ei=GH6oTrCYDunmiAKLgoHPBg&ved=0CI8BEPMCMAE">cheese slicer</a>. I find them at thrift stores fairly often for only a few dollars.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">For foods like hard boiled eggs, mushrooms (as part of a larger cooking project) and strawberries with tops removed, use a heavy duty <a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=egg+slicer&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14024515582814489105&sa=X&ei=7n6oTviNL8mhiAKr2uGfBg&ved=0CIQBEPMCMAM">egg slicer</a>. If you only plan to use it for eggs, you could buy a cheap one at the grocery store or dollar store. Strawberries and mushrooms are a bit firmer, and might break one that isn't so strong.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">For apples, we use an apple cutter. First I slice the apple in half (so the top and bottom are separate, not the left and right). I try to get small ones, which are easier for children to cut. Show how to center the corer over the stem and push down hard – this one takes some strength and practice – in my experience most children are able to do it independently around age 3.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The grains we provide at Dynamite are usually some variation of cracker or pretzel, which the children serve themselves with a scoop or tongs. If you buy prepackaged bags of those items, teach your child how to open the bag with scissors. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The theme running through all of these ideas is guided independence. You, the adult, offer appropriate foods in appropriate amounts, and let the child decide what to eat. Since the options are all healthy, you can feel good about whatever decision he makes. Since he decides when he's hungry, what to eat, and how much he wants, he is practicing listening to the needs of his body. It's win-win! And if you ever had them, you can forget about mealtime struggles because you'll know he has healthy food options at other times of the day. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">FYI – links are NOT affiliate links; I have provided them to clarify what I meant when I named certain tools. I have not used the actual brands I linked to, and while I have no reason to doubt them, I also can't vouch for their quality.</span></div><br />
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<strong>Montessori Moments is a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong><br />
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<p>***</p><p><a href="http://www.hobomama.com/p/carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank" title="Carnival of Natural Parenting"><img align="right" alt="Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama" border="0" class="alignright" src="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/lintpicker/CNPnaturalparent.jpg" /></a>Visit <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/p/carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank"><strong>Hobo Mama</strong></a> and <a href="http://codenamemama.com/carnival-of-natural-parenting/" target="_blank"><strong>Code Name: Mama</strong></a> to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!</p><p>Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:</p><p><em>(This list will be live and updated by afternoon November 8 with all the carnival links.)</em></p><ul style="float: left; font-size: 11.5px; margin-right: 5px; width: 210px;"><li><strong><a href="http://redwhiteandgreenmom.blogspot.com/2011/11/baking-letting-go.html" target="_blank">Baking & letting go</a></strong> — Cooking with kids can be a mess. Nadia at <strong>Red White & GREEN Mom</strong> is learning to relax, be patient, and have fun with the process.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2011/11/november-carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank">Family feeding in Child of Mine</a></strong> — Lauren at <strong>Hobo Mama</strong> reviews Ellyn Satter's suggestions for appropriate feeding and points out where her family has problems following through.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/11/Children-with-Knives-other-Kitchen" target="_blank">Children with Knives! (And other Kitchen Tools)</a></strong> — Jennifer at <strong>True Confessions of a Real Mommy</strong> teaches her children how to safely use knives.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://toloveeverymoment.blogspot.com/2011/11/mommy-can-i-help.html" target="_blank">"Mommy, Can I Help?"</a></strong> — Kat at <strong>Loving {Almost} Every Moment</strong> writes about how she lets her kiddos help out with cooking, despite her {sometimes} lack of patience!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://lilsnowflakes.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/solids-the-second-time-around/" target="_blank">Solids the Second Time Around</a></strong> — Sheryl at <strong>Little Snowflakes</strong> recounts her experiences introducing solids to her second child. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.accidentalnaturalmama.com/2011/11/adventures-in-toddler-tastebuds.html" target="_blank">The Adventure of Toddler Tastebuds</a></strong> — <strong>The Accidental Natural Mama</strong> shares a few things that helped her daughter develop an adventurous palate.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.becomingcrunchy.com/2011/11/a-tradition-of-love/" target="_blank">A Tradition of Love</a></strong> — Kelly at <strong>Becoming Crunchy</strong> looks forward to sharing the kitchen traditions passed on from her mom and has already found several ways to involve baby in the kitchen. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mccrenshaw.blogspot.com/2011/11/very-best-classroom-carnatpar.html" target="_blank">The Very Best Classroom</a></strong> — Alicia C. at <strong>McCrenshaw's Newest Thoughts</strong> reveals how her kitchen is more than a place to make food - it's a classroom!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/raising-little-chefs/" target="_blank">Raising Little Chefs</a></strong> — Chef Mike guest posts on <strong>Natural Parents Network</strong> about how he went from a guy who couldn't cook to a chef who wanted to teach his boys to know how the food we love is made.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://smilinglikesunshine1.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-kitchen-with-my-kids.html" target="_blank">In the Kitchen with my kids</a></strong> — Isil at <strong>Smiling like Sunshine</strong> shares a delicious soup recipe that her kids love.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.blog.mindfullifeshop.com/2011/11/papa-pancake-artist.html" target="_blank">Papa, the Pancake Artist</a></strong> — Papa's making an incredible breakfast over at <strong>Our Mindful Life</strong>.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://muminsearch.com/2011/11/kids-wont-eat-salad-try-one/" target="_blank">Kids won't eat salad? Try this one!</a></strong> — Tat at <strong>Mum in Search</strong> is sharing her children's favourite salad recipe.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://wildparenting.net/2011/11/08/recipe-for-a-relationship/ " target="_blank">Recipe For a Great Relationship</a></strong> — Cooking with kids is about feeding hearts as well as bellies, writes Hannah at <strong>Wild Parenting</strong>.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://gentlyparentingtwins.blogspot.com/2011/11/ritual-of-mealtimes.html" target="_blank">The Ritual of Mealtimes</a></strong> — Syenna at <strong>Gently Parenting Twins</strong> writes about the significance of mealtimes in her family’s daily rhythm.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://liciabadazz.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/kid-meet-food/" target="_blank">Kid, Meet Food. Food, Kid.</a></strong> — Alburnet at <strong>What's Next?</strong> panicks about passing on her food "issues" to her offspring.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://theresapickleinmylife.blogspot.com/2011/11/growing-up-in-kitchen.html" target="_blank">Growing Up in the Kitchen</a></strong> — Cassie at <strong>There's a Pickle in My Life</strong> shares how her son is growing up in the kitchen.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://schoolgardenyear.blogspot.com/2011/11/harvesting-corn.html" target="_blank">Harvesting Corn and History</a></strong> — From Kenna at <strong>School Garden Year</strong>: The kids in the school garden harvest their corn and learn how much history grows in their food.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://momgrooves.com/2011/11/my-guiding-principles/ " target="_blank">My Guiding Principles for Teaching my Child about Food</a></strong> — Tree at <strong>Mom Grooves</strong> uses these guiding principles to give her daughter a love of good food and an understanding of nutrition as well as to empower her to make the best choices for her body. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://letstakethemetro.blogspot.com/2011/11/kitchen-control.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Control</a></strong> — Amanda at <strong>Let's Take the Metro</strong> writes about her struggles to relinquish control in the kitchen to her children.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://leteverythingwesaybereal.blogspot.com/2011/11/food.html" target="_blank">Food</a></strong> — Emma at <strong>Your Fonder Heart</strong> lets her seven month old teach her how to feed a baby.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mommyingmyway.blogspot.com/2011/11/kitchen-fun.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Fun?</a></strong> — Adrienne at <strong>Mommying My Way</strong> questions how much fun she can have in a non-functional kitchen, while trying to remain positive about the blessings of cooking for her family.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://childorganics.blogspot.com/2011/11/kitchen-adventures.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Adventures</a></strong> — Erica at <strong>ChildOrganics</strong> shares fun ways to connect with your kids in the kitchen.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://vibrantwanderings.com/2011/11/kids-in-the-kitchen-finding-the-right-tools.html" target="_blank">Kids in the Kitchen: Finding the Right Tools</a></strong> — Melissa at <strong>Vibrant Wanderings</strong> shares some of her favorite child-sized kitchen gadgets and where to find them.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/2011/11/kitchen-classroom.html" target="_blank">The Kitchen Classroom</a></strong> — Laura at <strong>Authentic Parenting</strong> knows that everything your kids want to learn is at the end of the ladle.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.diaryofafirstchild.com/2011/11/08/kids-in-the-kitchen/" target="_blank">Kids in the Kitchen</a></strong> — Luschka from <strong>Diary of a First Child</strong> talks about the role of the kitchen in family communication and shares fun kitchen activities for the under two.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://onelovelivity.com/childofnatureblog/?p=2683" target="_blank">Our Kitchen is an Unschooling Classroom.</a></strong> — Terri at <strong>Child of the Nature Isle</strong> explores the many ways her kitchen has become a rich environment for learning.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/11/08/montessori-inspired-food-preparation-for-preschoolers/" target="_blank">Montessori-Inspired Food Preparation for Preschoolers</a></strong> — Deb Chitwood at <strong>Living Montessori Now</strong> shares lots of resources for using Montessori food preparation activities for young children in the kitchen.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://africanbabiesdontcry.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-little-healthy-eater.html" target="_blank">My Little Healthy Eater</a></strong> — Christine at <strong>African Babies Don't Cry</strong> shares her research on what is the best first food for babies, and includes a healthy and yummy breakfast recipe. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mudpiemama.brillweb.net/2011/11/recipe-for-disaster/" target="_blank">Two Boys and Papa in the Kitchen: Recipe for Disaster?</a></strong> — <strong>MudpieMama</strong> shares all about her fears, joys and discoveries when the boys and handsome hubby took over the kitchen. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://angelwingsandherbtea.blogspot.com/2011/11/food-choices-food-treats.html" target="_blank">Food choices, Food treats</a></strong> — Henrietta at <strong>Angel Wings and Herb Tea</strong> shares her family's relationship with food.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://learnermummy.com/2011/11/08/learning-to-eat/" target="_blank">learning to eat</a></strong> — Catherine at <strong>learner mummy</strong> reflects on little M's first adventures with food.</li>
</ul><ul style="float: left; font-size: 11.5px; margin-right: 5px; width: 210px;"><li><strong><a href="http://www.breastfeedingmomsunite.com/2011/11/the-night-my-7-year-old-made-dinner/" target="_blank">The Night My 7-Year-Old Made Dinner</a></strong> — Melodie at <strong>Breastfeeding Moms Unite!</strong> shares how her 7-year-old daughter surprised everyone by turning what started as an idea to play restaurant into pulling off making supper for her family.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mamammalia.blogspot.com/2011/11/cooking-with-high-needs-toddler.html" target="_blank">Cooking With a High-Needs Toddler</a></strong> — Sylvia at <strong>MaMammalia</strong> describes how Montessori-inspired activities and a bit of acceptance have helped her overcome hurdles in cooking while caring for a "high-needs" child.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.almostallthetruth.com/2011/11/kids-in-the-kitchen-teaching-healthy-food-choices" target="_blank">Kids in the Kitchen – teaching healthy food choices</a></strong> — Brenna at <strong>Almost All The Truth</strong> shares her belief in the importance of getting kids into the kitchen using her favorite cookbook for kids to develop healthy food choices now and hopefully into the future.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.teaforthree.ca/2011/11/08/make-milk-not-war/" target="_blank">Make Milk, Not War</a></strong> — Tamara at <strong>Tea for Three</strong> remembers the daily food fights as she struggled to feed a picky eater.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://asmallbirdonfire.blogspot.com/2011/11/teaching-baby-birds-about-good-food.html" target="_blank">teaching baby birds about good food.</a></strong> — Sarah at <strong>Small Bird on Fire</strong> writes about the ways in which her family chooses to gently teach their son how to make wise food decisions.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ithoughtiknewmama.com/2011/11/toddler-in-the-kitchen/" target="_blank">5 Ways to Enhance Your Baby or Young Toddler's Relationship with Food</a></strong> — Charise at <strong>I Thought I Knew Mama</strong> shares simple ways to give your child a healthy beginning to her lifelong relationship with food.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mamalady.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/toddler-at-the-table-10-creative-solutions/" target="_blank">Toddler at the Table: 10 Creative Solutions</a></strong> — Moorea at <strong>Mamalady</strong> shares tips for preventing meal-time power struggles.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.imafulltimemummy.com/post/2011/11/08/Mealtime-Manners-Responsibilities.aspx" target="_blank">How My Child Takes Responsibility During His Mealtime...</a></strong> — Jenny @ I'm a full-time mummy shares how she teaches and encourages her 32 months old son on adopting good manners and responsibilities during his mealtimes...</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.intrepidmurmurings.com/2011/11/kids-in-the-kitchen/" target="_blank">Kids in the Kitchen: 6 Tips Plus a Recipe</a></strong> — Kristin at <strong>Intrepid Murmurings</strong> shares six tips for overcoming some of the the difficulties of cooking with multiple young sous chefs, and a recipe they all can agree on!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mummykins.co.uk/?p=304" target="_blank">How BLW has made me a better parent</a></strong> — Zoe at <strong>Mummykins</strong> shares how baby-led weaning has changed her approach to parenting.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com/2011/11/my-budding-chef.html" target="_blank">My Budding Chef</a></strong> — Jenny at <strong>Chronicles of a Nursing Mom</strong> is no cook but is happy that her daughter has shown an inclination and manages to whip up yummy goodies for their family.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.tmuffin.com/2011/11/kids-in-kitchen-activity-for-every-age.html" target="_blank">Kids in the Kitchen: An Activity for Every Age</a></strong> — Gaby from <strong>Tmuffin</strong> describes how she keeps her kids busy in the kitchen, whether they are one week old or two years old.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://pandamoly.blogspot.com/2011/11/phantastically-multipurposed-phyllo.html" target="_blank">The Phantastically Mutlipurposed Phyllo</a></strong> — Ana at <strong>Pandamoly</strong> shares how Phyllo is used to create enticing dishes at home! Anything can be made into a Struedel!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://puginthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/11/kitchen-kids.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Kids</a></strong> — Laura from <strong>A Pug in the Kitchen</strong> shares her children's most favorite recipe to make, experience and eat.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.organicbabyatlanta.com/4/post/2011/11/independence-vs-connection-wont-you-please-just-get-yourself-your-own-snack-already.html" target="_blank">Independence vs. Connection in the Kitchen: won't you please get yourself your own snack already?</a></strong> — Lisa at <strong>Organic Baby Atlanta</strong> wishes her daughter would just go make a mess in the kitchen. But her daughter only wants to do it together. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://farmersdaughterct.com/?p=6805" target="_blank">Grandma Rose's Kitchen</a></strong> — Abbie at <strong>Farmer's Daughter</strong> reminisces about her childhood and dreams of filling her kitchen with people, love, noise, and messes.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2011/11/healthy-food-choices-for-kids.html" target="_blank">Healthy Food Choices for Kids</a></strong> — Jorje offers one way to encourage children to make their own healthy food choices at <strong>MommaJorje.com</strong>.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://littletinkertales.blogspot.com/2011/11/cooking-food-to-thrive-rather-than.html" target="_blank">Cooking food to thrive rather than survive</a></strong> — Phoebe at <strong>Little Tinker Tales</strong> is trying to foster a lifetime of good food habits by teaching her children about the importance of avoiding junk, cooking healthy meals, and learning about the whole food process.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://agiftuniverse.blogspot.com/2011/11/evolution-of-independent-eater.html" target="_blank">Evolution of a self-led eater</a></strong> — Sheila at <strong>A Gift Universe</strong> shares the story of how her son grew from nursing around the clock to eating everything in sight, without her having to push.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://hybridrastamama.blogspot.com/2011/11/10-ways-tiny-helps-in-kitchen.html" target="_blank">10 Ways Tiny Helps In The Kitchen</a></strong> — Jennifer at <strong>Hybrid Rasta Mama</strong> explores the ways in which her toddler actively participates in kitchen-related activities.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://wp.me/p5RtM-1JX" target="_blank">The Complexity of Feeding a Child</a></strong> — Feeding children a healthy diet is no straight-forward task, but Lisa at <strong>My World Edenwild</strong> shares some general guidelines to help your child thrive.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://thatmamagretchen.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-milk-cookies.html" target="_blank">Lactation Cookies</a></strong> — <strong>That Mama Gretchen</strong> shares a fun recipe that will benefit both mamas and babies!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://codenamemama.com/2011/11/08/nov-carnatpar/" target="_blank">50 of the Best Books, Websites, & Resources to Inspire Kids in the Kitchen</a></strong> — Need inspiration to get your kids in the kitchen? Dionna at <strong>Code Name: Mama</strong> rounds up some of the best books and websites that can serve as a source for ideas, recipes, and cooking with littles fun.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://growwithgraces.tela.com/2011/10/28/a-4-year-olds-smoothie-recipe" target="_blank">A 4-year-old's smoothie recipe</a></strong> — Jen at <strong>Grow With Graces</strong> and her son set out to make a smoothie without the usual ingredients. She let him improvise. See how it turned out.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://montessorimoments-dynamite.blogspot.com/2011/11/independent-food-preparation-my-toddler.html" target="_blank">Independent Food Preparation (My Toddler Can Do That?)</a></strong> — Megan at <strong>Montessori Moments</strong> shares simple ways for children to prepare their own healthy snacks.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.anktangle.com/2011/11/follow-your-gut.html" target="_blank">Follow Your Gut</a></strong> — Amy at <strong>Anktangle</strong> shares her philosophy about intuitive eating, and how she's trying to foster her son's trust in his own inner wisdom when he feels hungry.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.elisabethstone.blogspot.com/2011/11/TODDLER-STYLE-LUNCH-RECIPE.html" target="_blank">A TODDLER-STYLE LUNCH + RECIPE</a></strong> — <strong>Manic Mrs. Stone</strong> photographs how to have messy fun during lunchtime with a helpful toddler.</li>
</ul><!-- END BOTTOM 2-COLUMN CODE -->Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580482411332472270noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-12425201249823778912011-10-21T20:14:00.000-07:002011-11-18T15:36:03.555-08:00What I have learned....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">I have learned to be patient and consistent with children. Doing so isn't an easy task by any means! Children are all different and individual. What works for one child doesn't necessarily work for another. </div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">Take, for instance, a child I had last year. Let's call him little Billy. Every time little Billy was confronted with a problem, whether it was with another child, a work, or the teacher, he would run into the bathroom, frustrated, and hide. Little Billy needed to find a way to express his frustrations with words. </div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">I would "bump heads" with this child time and time again, until I figured it out that he's not like other children and I needed to approach him differently when he was feeling upset. </div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">Little Billy didn't vocalize what the other person was doing that made him upset. When I would step in and give him a consequence on something when he was inappropriate, little Billy would bury himself in that bathroom corner crying. After mom or dad dropped him off in the morning he was clearly upset. Whenever I tried to console him he screamed and pushed me away. I figured out, after some time, that I couldn't approach this child when he was frustrated like this. At that moment, this child wouldn't listen to me and would only shut me out. </div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">I have to be honest, I was beside myself and knew there must be a way to get into this child's head in order for him to listen to my words and know that I was there to help him. In other words, I felt his frustration with situations and I knew I needed to somehow "reach him." </div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">I tried something, I gave him his "space" when he came into the classroom. It seemed that he needed to come into the room on his own terms when he felt ready to do so then he could be a part of the room. I told little Billy that when he was ready to put his lunch away and join us that I would be available for him... and believe it or not, that seemed to work. I would walk by from time to time when he was sitting by the door after the parent dropped him off and smile just to let him know, I meant what I said. After allowing him to have a little power of his own to control, he eased into the classroom in the mornings after mom or dad dropped him off, on his own time table.</div></span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">As for the frustration with other children and his frustration with me at times, I asked him if he would please use his words. I constantly told him when he became upset that Ms. Tina and the other children didn't understand why he was upset and if we heard his words then we could do something about it. He tried at times and sometimes he went back to "old ways," but when he did go back to the "old ways," I reminded him about using his words and how he felt. It seemed to work, and today little Billy is a joy to be around. I know the feeling is mutual because I see him smile at me and hug me many times throughout the day. He even draws me little pictures and comes up to my ear at times and whispers in my ear how he feels. Today, after many tears later, he voices his opinion when he doesn't like something, when something bothers him. To me, he has turned around 180 degrees and has become a happy little boy whereas before it seemed he was trapped and didn't know how to let the angry, sad feelings out. He is my apple, and I look forward to seeing him every day!</div></span><br />
<hr width="80%" /><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong>Ms Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717259399797063436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141031907363999320.post-22879966571523754872011-10-20T16:27:00.000-07:002011-11-18T15:42:08.344-08:00Children Are Mirrors...<p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
Children are mirrors. We hear it so often it's become a cliché... but today, I caught myself doing something I repeatedly ask the children in my class not to do, and I thought, “if I can't follow this rule myself, how can I expect a child to do it?” </span> </p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
Here's what happened:</span></p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
Little A had chosen the raking work outside. She was supposed to be raking up the rubber chunks and scooping them into the climbing area, but instead she was dragging the rake along the sidewalk. I reminded her to rake in the dirt, so she moved off of the sidewalk and raked the dirt as I had asked her to do.</span></p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
A few minutes later she was back on the sidewalk. I reminded her again, and again she complied for a few minutes. Then little A took the rake into the garden and started raking the plants. </span> </p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
She had been carrying the rake around for several minutes now, but had yet to make any effort to do the work properly. Now she was potentially damaging the garden that we had worked so hard to grow. I immediately took action; striding across the playground, I grabbed the rake and put it away.</span></p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br />
Did you see my mistake? It's one that is repeated probably thousands of times a day across the country: I took something that someone else was using. I stole away her tool, without asking or even apologizing. I turned it into a power struggle that little A had no chance of winning. </span> </p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">It would be easy to rationalize the act; she <i>was</i> using it inappropriately. It would be easy to define the act as a simple enforcement of the rules, or a demand that she “listen” to me (when I would really mean obey). The problem with that logic is that from a child's perspective, what really happened is someone bigger and stronger came along and took what they wanted. There was nothing Little A could do about it, and the motive didn't matter, only the act. </span> </p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">When I sat down to think about what had happened, I realized how my actions damaged the ideal my students and I are working toward. I, the adult, had set the precedent that is is okay to take something from someone against her will. </span> </p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Here's what I should have done instead:</span></p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I should have approached Little A again, and offered my hand (she would have taken it). I should have picked up a rubber chunk,and showed it to her with a reminder that they belong in the climbing area. Then I should have asked for a turn (she would have said yes), and shown her again how to rake the rubber chunks into a pile and scoop them into the climbing area. If she needed still more direction, I could have helped her find a place with a lot of rubber chunks to rake. </span> </p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Nine times out of ten that approach would have worked, but even if it hadn't, (if she had continued to use it inappropriately,) I could have said, “Little A, you are not using the rake appropriately. It's time to put it away. Do you want to do it or do you want me to do it?” Making that choice herself would have maintained her feeling of control, while still making sure that the rake was not bring used improperly.</span></p><p style="text-indent: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; ">I wanted to share my reflections with you because I know I'm not the only adult who sometimes models bad behavior. I've learned, in the last few years, to look for the source of the behaviors I see. Often it comes from me, magnified in their little bodies and repeated throughout the class. When I am calm, steady, and playful, my students are too. I endeavor to be what I want them to learn... and I try to learn from my mistakes.</span></p><br />
<hr width="80%" /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; "><strong>Welcome to Montessori Moments, a blog written for Dynamite Montessori School in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you'd like to check out our school, please visit Dynamite's <a href="http://www.dynamitemontessori.com/">website</a>. </strong></span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08862217241561467690noreply@blogger.com3