As I wrote recently, we have made an effort to ensure that Frida has her own space in our living areas (dining room and sitting room) as well as her own room, and have installed some open shelves in each of these areas. I am still watching her carefully to see when her activities need…
Read MoreBaby-friendly playdough
Each week Frida and I attend a baby sensory class for one hour. I like it because she enjoys it, but also because the class leader comes up with so many different activities for the little ones which can be replicated at home. This week the theme was “colour” and one of the activities was exploring coloured…
Read MoreThe Joyful Child : Montessori for birth to three
I have just finished reading The Joyful Child: Montessori Global Wisdom for Birth to Three by Susan Stephenson, and I wanted to share a little bit about it with you. Stephenson gives lots of ideas on how to implement the Montessori philosophy at home, covering the child’s first year, and then moving onto topics including care…
Read MoreMessy play – finger painting with jelly
I want to do more messy play activities with Frida. I often have good intentions but don’t get round to it, or choose to do something less, well, messy. Inspired by some charming photos online of similar aged babies doing finger painting, I thought we would give it a go with some edible “paint” made out…
Read MoreSensitive period for movement – encouraging gross motor skills
“A sensitive period is a time of a spontaneous, often intense or irresistible, impulse toward or interest in certain objects and activities. During a sensitive period the ability to acquire new skills (in that particular area) is at a peak. Learning is spontaneous, joyful, and virtually effortless.” – Little Tree Montessori All babies between birth and two…
Read MoreBaubles and trinkets (or, being present)
Yesterday I watched Frida with an old, broken bauble. She stared at it. She stroked it. She gently touched the top of it. She repeatedly picked it up and dropped it in her lap, observing how it moved. She put it in her mouth. She tried to roll it. I love these moments. The concentration…
Read MoreWhat’s on Frida’s shelves
As it’s been the holiday season we have spent a fair amount of time at home recently. I only updated her Montessori shelves a week and a half ago but given she has spent so much time in her playroom and I’ve been able to observe her a lot, I thought I would change them…
Read MoreHeuristic play
Heuristic play can be described as playing with, investigating, and exploring ‘objects’ (as opposed to toys which are purpose made). It involves a number of objects and receptacles that the baby can explore, touch, and handle. Through this play they make sense of these objects and find out what they can do – for example, a ball may…
Read MoreJoy
I am really enjoying motherhood at the moment. Ok, I don’t get as much sleep as I would like (understatement of the year?), solo toilet trips are a treat, and my tea is often cold, but currently parenting is pretty much how I hoped it would be when I was waddling around with Frida in my belly.…
Read MoreFrida’s shelves – eight and a half months
I don’t claim to be a Montessori expert (yet! One day I hope…) but we are trying to raise and educate Frida in a Montessori way. One of the things you will find in all Montessori environments is low open shelving with developmentally-appropriate materials, objects, and work which children can help themselves to. We have…
Read More