Merry Christmas 2013

Happy happy holidays. Xxx

Busy house.

I love seeing my children all together and all engaged in different activities.

Izzy 3:9 Hammer & Pins

Izzy has developed so much with this activity. At first she would hammer some shapes onto the board but now she uses the board as a blank canvas, something to build her ideas and designs on. Today she made "mummy and izzy".

3:9 Making a Christmas surprise box part 2

So part 2 involved us using the activity, I had placed Christmas themed items into the box. Izzy was very excited and after I explained what the box was for she said "making guess what I am box".
She enjoyed rummaging in the box and even though I said don't bring the object out of the box until she guessed she always pulled the object from the box with a big smile shouting it's name ))

Izzy 3:9 Making a Christmas surprise box Part 1

I split this post into 2 as there are 2 parts to how Izzy used it.
First we built the box and put a hole, then covered it with wrapping paper, next we cut an old magazine into strips and began filling the box.
About halfway through izzy told me I needed to do it like her "line them up and put them in". She was taking each strip of paper, stretching it open and then placing it into the box.
It took us a long time to fill the box with the paper but I was happy to follow her direction (had no choice actually as she kept checking on me).

Izzy 3:9. Teen numbers

Izzy has started to count into her teens so following her lead I have given her a teen number alphabet ( I am still working with the Montessori short bead stair, but going slowly).

Izzy 3:9 What's in the bag?

Well I hope the photos explain what izzy is doing, obviously lots of fun, definitely using her imagination and showing that children can use something as simple as a bag to entertain themselves.

Izzy 3:9 Independence

All over the house it was quiet as a mouse.......and Izzy? Making a Jam sandwich.

Izzy 3:9 Walking on the Line

All her early practice of 'walking on the line' has definately paid off, she is so good at walking on walls and shows such enjoyment as well as balance, coordination and confidence.

Izzy 3:9 Tracing

We were having a lovely day out at the River Thames with her best friend when I looked behind to see Izzy had stopped. She was tracing the letters on a plaque.

Izzy 3:9 Swapping

Izzy is able to 'take turns' and is very good at 'sharing' but a new concept being pushed by her big sisters is 'swapping'....... She is able to swap short term but long term??? No.

Izzy 3:8 Role play (yes again)

I cannot stress enough the importance of Role Play, it allows Izzy time to digest everything that happens in her life. Things she sees, hears, touches, smells, tastes, even things she imagines or dreams. A lot of which we will not even realize she had digested.
Role play with others, especially other children is ridiculously simple to give but many people dont realize the importance of it.
Leave them alone...watch and listen. You think you are teaching them... NOT!!!

Izzy 3:8 Sandbox

Izzy goes back to this activity again and again, bit of sand in a box (with a lid). Today the cars joined the animals for some serious role play xx

Izzy 3:8 Sandpaper Letters

This activity went so well, we have been learning the sounds for a few weeks and today we used the letters and matching objects.
The sounds she was not sure off I presented again later that day as a 3 period lesson.
She knows them all but I think having all 6 sounds threw her a bit, she was brilliant though, confident and willing to take the time to sound out loud and find the matching object.

Izzy & Sister

Making a book tent/land...

Izzy & Sisters. Clay play

A lot of role modelling from big sisters. And Foxy made a friend. Xx

Izzy 3:8 puzzles

Working together we build the outside first and then filled in the middle.

Izzy 3:8 Short Bead Stair

Continuing to develop awareness of the numbers 1 to 10.
Thank you Sue at Myrtle Tree Montessori for the short bead stair printout. Xx

Montessori Childminders Network

So I went to my first Montessori Childminders meeting this weekend. The lady who hosted was an inspiration, not only was she a lovely lady but her setting was beautiful, activities made with such care and thought that you can only imagine how lucky her children are.
Organised and arranged in a way only Montessori teachers can do and other Montessori teachers can appreciate (actually anyone wanting their children to be happy could appreciate).
I left fully charged after listening to a room full of confident business women sharing their worlds.
Xx look out Continents of the world felt bags cause I'm coming to make you!!!

Izzy 3:8 Puzzles

Love, love, love puzzles and I must admit I have had to sit on my hands and close my mouth where Izzy and puzzles are concerned......she just don't do puzzles!!!!!! So when she occasionally freely chooses a puzzle (I always leave a wide variety on the shelves hoping to capture her) I am so pleased. Puzzles challenge the child mentally and physically.
Oh did I tell you I love puzzles )))

Izzy 3:8 Pincer grip

It is always good to encourage pincer grip activities, building the muscles in the fingers, hand and wrist for writing.