Tag Archives: Play

Montessori work on color matching for toddlers

Montessori for Toddlers

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Last month, we started a new term of homeschool. In an attempt to keep Jeanne occupied with meaningful things to do while I am teaching Julian, we set up a shelf of Montessori practical works for her. That’s a corner she can call her own. At 26 months old now, her inner need for independence is growing. We frequently hear this little girl says “Jeanne do! Own!”

Before introducing the individual works to her, I showed her how to choose a work, hold the tray with 2 hands, walk slowly to the table and leave the tray on the table, gently pull out the chair and sit on the floor to start working. Thereafter finish the work, keep the materials back into the tray, bring the tray back to shelf and tuck in the chair at the table. This is the process she will go through when she chooses to do a work from the shelf.

Here are the works that we prepared for Jeanne on the shelf.

Montessori work on color matching for toddlers

Color Matching with Buttons

Montessori cutting work

Cutting Paper Strips

Montessori Matching Game

Matching Game

At a Van Gogh Exhibition few months ago, I bought 2 sets of Van Gogh paintings stickers and laminated them. This set of laminated stickers has created variety of fun time for us all. We played SNAP, memory game and matching game with them, at the same time introducing the name of the paintings to them.

Montessori work for toddler screwing nuts and bolts

Nuts and Bolts

Montessori works for toddlers opening and closing containers

Finding Treasures from Opening and Closing Containers

Montessori work for toddler treasures in containers

Treasures Within

Montessori work playdoh sculpting setup

Playdoh Sculpting

Montessori pouring seashell work for toddler

Pouring Seashells

These seashells were given by my cousin who picked them from the beach while at work… How blessed we are!

Montessori scooping work for toddler

Scooping Corn

Montessori sweeping work for toddlers

Sweeping Paper Scraps

Montessori threading work for toddlers

Threading with Needle and Wooden Spools

You may be wondering is that a real needle in the photo… Yes it is. On presenting this work to Jeanne, I specifically showed her that it is a sharp needle and it hurts when I gently touch the tip of the needle. This is the work she choses to do most of the time. From threading the wooden spools and removing the spools from the needle, she has never poked herself with the needle.

Montessori transferring work for toddler

Transferring Pom Poms with Forcep

Montessori work for toddlers to train fine motor skills

Inserting Toothpicks into Shaker

 

 

Engaged In Playdough

Fun With Homemade No Cook Playdough

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Fun With Playdough

The kids having fun with playdough!

Julian loves playing with Play-Doh. He often requests for it but I would hesitate whenever I think about the numerous colorful bits of Play-Doh that I have to scrape off the floor and put back into the Play-Doh cans each time he’s done playing. We now have a large collection of Play-Doh cans with colorful mixtures that are shrinking in volume. Buying new ones would provide new fun with nice clean colors but it’ll probably last only as long as the first time it’s played with before they add on to the existing collection of colorful mixtures.

I decided to do it differently this time when I found a simple “no cook playdough” recipe. To start it off, I set up a little crafty corner for the kids to provide them with the space and materials they need to play and clean up. With a playdough set made up of baking accessories that came from the kitchen, we were all set to make new playdough with fresh colors!

Once I prepared the ingredients into a big bowl, Julian was kept busy kneading the mixture into his very own homemade playdough. He was so fascinated with his newly created playdough that he created more with different colors while I prepared dinner!

Kneading Homemade Playdough

Julian kneading his homemade playdough.

So here is the simple recipe for the “no cook playdough” that you can make with your kids at home, courtesy of Montessori By Hand.

Simple Homemade Playdough Recipe

Makes about one kids size handful of playdough

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons of white flour
  • 2 tablespoons of salt
  • 1 dropper-full of vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons of diluted food coloring

Instructions:

  1. Simply add all the ingredients into a bowl or pot or container that is big enough for kneading and minimizing spillage.
  2. Mix well and knead.
  3. PLAY!
  4. Keep the playdough in an airtight container and refrigerated when the kids are not playing it. The playdough tends to dry up after long exposure and play. When that happens, it’s time to make new ones!
Engaged In Playdough

The kids totally engaged in their playdough creations!

For our next batch of playdough, we’ll be adding glitters and beans! That should create a whole lot of sensory fun for the little fingers!

If you’ve got ideas and experience to share with us, we love to read them. Meanwhile, have fun with your homemade playdough!