Fun and Inspirational
Montessori Activities You Can Do at Home
Montessori
education was developed to encourage children to think for
themselves. Children are provided every opportunity to engage in their world
and are enticed into learning. In other words, learning is more like play time.
Children learn without knowing they are doing far more than playing.
The system of Montessori education is denoted via:
- Children in mixed age classrooms
- Children provided blocks of time in working on
projects (up to three hours)
- Children have limited choices in their
activities
- Children are free to learn concepts through exploration of
materials rather than ‘direct’ instruction
The Montessori model of education was introduced
across America in 1911. These activities may be used to prepare a pre-schooler
for school or for home schooling purposes. The techniques are devised to assist
a child in exploring, measuring, and observing the world around them.
1. Counting Objects & Matching Numbers
A great way to introduce mathematics to
a toddler. Make a game of it through using everyday objects that are familiar
to the child.
2. Scrap Alphabet
Build tactile skills by
letting children glue fabric scraps to cardboard cut-outs of the alphabet. This
activity builds up the muscles needed for writing/holding a pen or pencil.
3.
Discovery Baskets
Discovery baskets filled with like items or from different rooms of
the household is a good way to keep a toddler’s mind active.
4.
Miniature Weaving
Miniature weaving is an activity that will unleash an older child’s
creativity and more than a little imagination.
5. Nature
Scavenger Hunt
Throw a nature scavenger hunt for you kids and their friends. Glue what kids are
looking for onto paper bags or empty plastic eggs.
6.
Observation Trays
Add a magnifying glass to observation trays.
Allow your child to explore up close vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The
magnifying glass gives children a real sense of observation and satisfies their
notion toward exploration.
7.
Clothes Pin Words
Clothes pin words sparks creativity and letter recognition in a small
child’s mind. These are so easy to make and is a wonderful way to teach the
connection between the alphabet and words.
8. Button
Snake
I found the button snake on several different sites. The child is tasked
with ‘buttoning’ through felt squares with a button attached to a ribbon.
Builds fine motor skills while teaching about colours.
9.
Play-Dough: Fine Motor Skills
Make it yourself playdough is far cheaper and more fun to make than the store-bought
kind. The kids can even help make it! Younger children build and fine tune
motor skills, while older children get a boost in their creativity.
10. Taste
Bowls
This activity teaches
a child about the four senses of taste. Have the child close his or her eyes or
use a blindfold. Use a spoon to feed the different tastes to the child.
11.
Number Clip Cards
These counting cards are a great way to teach numbers the Montessori
way. The child simply ‘pins’ the correct number and learns number recognition
at the same time.
12. Shark
Bingo Game
Shark bingo is
a fun way to teach kids about sea life, especially if gummy fish are used to
mark the sited sharks!
13. Miniature Tree Table
A DIY Nature Tree Table to spark a child’s imagination and to teach about
the outdoors. Children can use toys on hand or the items found in their nature
scavenger hunt.
14. DIY
Coin Box
The DIY coin box builds fine motor skills and teaches counting.
Little hands are sure to stay busy. A sharpie pen can be used to mark the chips
with numbers, in order to help with number recognition.
15.
Mystery Bag
A mystery bag should
be filled with 4 or 5 familiar objects. The bag heightens a child’s sense of
touch and tactile recognition.
16.
Colander and Pipe Cleaners
This is a fun and quite simple activity. Have
your child thread pipe cleaners through the holes in a colander. The unique
designs awaken your child’s creativity and imagination.
17.
Pom-Poms into Cardboard Tube
Kids will love the disappearing and
sudden reappearing of the pom-poms in this activity. Tape
the tube to a nearby cabinet for close supervision.
18.
Matching Animals
Matching games teach hand-eye coordination and are the beginning
of learning word match and recognition.
19.
Thread Spools and Chopsticks
Threading thread spools happens in three stages. First chopsticks, then
pipe cleaners, and finally shoe laces. Each stage teaches finer and finer motor
skills.
20.
Magnet Play
Magnet play is
great even for older children. Kids can wave the wand over both magnetic and non-magnetic
items, count what is magnetic and what is not.
21.
Letter Recognition
Play with letters leads to familiarity with the alphabet. Children can
start with simple words, their name, and move on to complex letter sounds.
22.
Geoboard
The geoboard may
be used in a number of ways. The bands can be used to imitate simple shapes or
for letter recognition. The geoboard can
be made using small nails and small board.
23.
Ping-Pong Ball Scoop
Teach hand-eye coordination with
this DIY ping-pong ball scoop game
No comments:
Post a Comment