Montessori-inspired space

So this is one side of Zire's Montessori inspired room. I wanted to make sure he had a place to come and feel inspired to creatively express himself through play and art. I find myself just wanting to hang out with him in his room many times, the environment calls my inner child out to play too. It also reminds me to keep introducing him to new arts and craft projects and play ideas. 

The area that he's sitting is were all his building toys are, I also incorporated a mirror inspired by the Emilia Reggio philosophy. The purpose of the mirror is to enhance his play inquiry it allows him to see his lego and other toys from more than one dimension, cool concept right?!.  The other area along the wall is his arts and craft area. There he has the essentials color pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, papers, paint, stamps and a couple of other fun things. 

Most of the times he usually takes what he needs and comes to the living room or the kitchen to do his crafts or play because he likes company, and thats A ok. The point is that when he's inspired to play or do art, it is accessible for him to independently get what he needs at any time.

5 Tips for your Child's Home Library

Building a home library is an essential part of a child's tools for language. Creating a routine of reading every night is a key opportunity any parent should offer their growing child. By reading your child gets time to connect with you, while building vocabulary, reading comprehension, concentration, new experiences, thinking skills, using imgination, communication skills and more. Out of my teaching experience I now that when choosing books for your child it is fundamental to offer books with their current interest and books about real life facts and pictures (you know those ones about  the parts of a real train and how it moves or real sea animals etc). Exposing your child to these types of books sounds a bit far fetch because we assume they won't be interested in such factual information but the truth is all children crave it (this is why they ask "why" all the time). This also helps them introduces information about the world they are part of. You can mix in a book or two about fantasy things like princess and ningas, but try to keep these types of books to a minimum. Why? Well, children are already exposed to these fantasy with TV shows and games, so why not give them what they internally crave developmentally ? The goal is to create a life long relationship with reading a variety of books.

Tips:

- Keep a minimum of 6-10 books accessable with a variety of the books I mentioned above and rotate them once you've finish reading all of them, this way the child can indirectly gains a sense of completion. 

- Make time out in your child's bedtime routine to read together. 

- Model that reading is fun! Try to be encouraging, engage them into the story. Allow them to ask questions and interpret what they think the pictures in the book say.

- Ask questions: What was your favorite part? What happened in the beginning, middle or end of the story? etc.

- Do it all again and again! 

Happy reading! Hope this helps!! I would love to hear from you if you have any questions.

Help me do it myself!

Z has been doing much for himself sense he was 3. I followed his lead with some task like brushing his teeth, putting on his clothes, preparing a snack. He wanted to do it all himself. Not until I became a Montessori teacher did I witness that it's not just my child that urges to do something for himself, but all children. They all have an innate interest for learning every day skills. Why not allow them? 

Heres a great article to inspire you to encourage independence at home for your little ones.

http://amshq.org/Family-Resources/Montessori-at-Home

Good bye piggy bank!

To spend, share or save?! My guy was having a hard time taking out of his piggy bank to buy goodies. So I found a solution! Inspired by the Moonjar, we recycled three jars and used funky duck tape. Now he can see that he can use his money in different ways.