05/08/2024
Learning to ask questions is like having a superpower. It really is! ExcellED Montessori Plus shows how endless questions are a sign of a curious mind & the key to a lifelong love of learning!
Discover our tips to nurture this superpower at home!
➡️ https://bit.ly/3QvlLbb
04/13/2023
¡Explorando el mundo de los animales en Español! Engage your little ones in a fun and educational matching activity to learn animal names in Spanish. 🐾🌎
Bilingual learning can greatly benefit language development in young children. Research has shown that being exposed to multiple languages from an early age can improve cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. In the context of matching animals to their Spanish names at a Montessori school, students can develop vocabulary in both English and Spanish as they associate the animals with their names in two different languages. For example, a student may match a picture of a “gato” (cat) with the corresponding figurine or card, while also reinforcing their knowledge of the English word “cat.”
¡Explorando el mundo de los animales en Español! Engage your little ones in a fun and educational matching activity to learn animal names in Spanish. 🐾🌎 #BilingualLearning #MontessoriEducation #CulturalAwareness
04/08/2023
Engage your toddlers with a sensory-rich Easter egg hunt experience, engaging their senses of sight, touch, and hearing. Through exploration and discovery, toddlers will develop their fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and cognitive abilities while having fun with this engaging and interactive activity.
All you need is basket filled with basket grass (or any other type of natural grass or straw) and plastic eggs with bells inside (you can find these at a craft or dollar store).
To extend learning for your little one, count the number of eggs they found and ask them to describe the sensory experience using words like soft, fluffy, green, and sound.
For older toddlers, you can introduce additional challenges, such as blindfolding them while they search for eggs to further enhance their sensory awareness.
You can also incorporate language development by labeling the colors or sizes of the eggs as they are found, or by encouraging the toddlers to describe the texture of the grass and the sound of the bells.
Engage your toddlers with a sensory-rich Easter egg hunt experience, engaging their senses of sight, touch, and hearing. #EasterEggHunt #EasterBasket #MontessoriAtHome #SensoryPlay
04/03/2023
Sensory play meets early literacy in this Montessori lesson on tracing letters and numbers using rice! By feeling the textures of the sandpaper cards and rice, children engage all their senses and develop their cognitive abilities.
Materials needed:
- A set of Montessori sandpaper letters and numbers OR notecards with handwritten letters and numbers
- A tray or mat
- A small container of rice
Instructions:
1. Prepare the materials and place them on the tray or mat. Place the small container of rice to the side of the tray or mat.
2. Invite the child to sit down and explain the activity to them. Let them know that they will be tracing the letters and numbers using the rice.
3. Begin with a letter or number that the child is familiar with. Take the sandpaper letter or number and trace it with your finger, saying the name of the letter or number as you do so.
4. Show the child how to repeat that same tracing process in the small container of rice.
5. Ask the child to trace the letter or number with their finger, following the contours of the sandpaper. Encourage them to go slowly and carefully, feeling the texture of the sandpaper and the rice as they trace.
6. Repeat the process with different letters and numbers, gradually increasing the difficulty as the child becomes more confident and skilled.
7. When the child is finished, ask them to help you put away the materials.
Tips:
• Be patient and allow the child to work at their own pace.
• Make sure the child understands the purpose of the activity and the importance of tracing each letter and number carefully.
• Encourage the child to use their dominant hand for tracing.
• Provide positive feedback and encouragement throughout the activity.
Sensory play meets early literacy in this Montessori lesson on tracing letters and numbers using rice! #MontessoriEducation #MontessoriMethod #MontessoriToddler #SensoryPlay #SensoryActivity #LearningThroughPlay #EarlyLiteracy #Tracing #FineMotorSkills #MontessoriAtHome
03/30/2023
Setting up a mirror at eye level can be a game-changer for your little one’s development. A mirror at eye level in a baby or toddler room’s can provide a fun and stimulating environment for children to learn and grow.
🌟Developing self-awareness: A mirror provides an opportunity for babies and toddlers to see themselves and their movements. This can help them develop self-awareness and recognize themselves as separate individuals.
🌟Boosting cognitive development: As babies and toddlers observe their reflection, they develop their cognitive skills by recognizing patterns, shapes, and colors.
🌟Enhancing social skills: By interacting with their own reflection, babies and toddlers can develop social skills such as empathy and emotional recognition.
🌟Encouraging language development: A mirror can also provide opportunities for parents or caregivers to engage with their child by pointing to body parts and using words to describe what they see.
🌟Supporting physical development: Seeing themselves in the mirror can encourage babies and toddlers to move and explore their own bodies, which can support their physical development and coordination.
‼️When setting up a mirror in a baby/toddler room, it is important to ensure that it is securely and safely attached to the wall. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use appropriate hardware for your type of wall. Be sure to check the mirror regularly for any signs of wear and tear or damage.
Setting up a mirror at eye level in a baby or toddler room’s can provide a fun and stimulating environment for children to learn and grow. #SelfAwareness #CognitiveDevelopment #SocialSkills #MontessoriAtHome #NurseryDecor #Montessori
03/29/2023
Yes, washing apples can be a great motor skill activity for toddlers! It can help develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and sensory processing abilities.
To engage your toddler in this activity, you can follow these simple steps:
Get a bowl of clean water and a few apples.
Show your toddler how to hold an apple under the running water and rub it with their hands to remove any dirt or residue.
Encourage them to use both hands to hold the apple and to use their fingers to scrub it.
Let your toddler explore the texture and feel of the apple while they wash it.
Once they've finished washing an apple, help them dry it off with a towel.
Repeat the process with the remaining apples.
Through this activity, your toddler will develop their motor skills andlearn about the importance of keeping fruits clean and healthy for consumption. It's a simple yet effective way to engage them in a fun and educational activity.
Yes, washing apples can be a great motor skill activity for toddlers! It can help develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and sensory processing abilities.
To engage your toddler in this activity, you can follow these simple steps:
Get a bowl of clean water and a few apples.
Show your toddler how to hold an apple under the running water and rub it with their hands to remove any dirt or residue.
Encourage them to use both hands to hold the apple and to use their fingers to scrub it.
Let your toddler explore the texture and feel of the apple while they wash it.
Once they've finished washing an apple, help them dry it off with a towel.
Repeat the process with the remaining apples.
Through this activity, your toddler will develop their motor skills andlearn about the importance of keeping fruits clean and healthy for consumption. It's a simple yet effective way to engage them in a fun and educational activity.
#ToddlerActivities #MotorSkillsDevelopment #SensoryProcessing #HealthyHabits #apples #FunLearning #montessori #montessoriathome #montessorikids #reggioemilia #reggioinspired #playbasedlearning #inquirybasedlearning #montessoritoddler #fruits ##cleaning
03/28/2023
Practical life activities are a cornerstone of Montessori education. These activities focus on developing the skills that children need to become independent and self-sufficient individuals.
There are plenty of practical life activities that parents can practice with their young children at home.
Pouring: You can provide a small pitcher of water and a glass or cup, and encourage your child to pour the water from the pitcher into the cup.
Sweeping: You can give your child a small broom and dustpan and teach them how to sweep the floor.
Dressing: You can teach your child how to dress themselves by providing clothes with easy-to-use fasteners, such as elastic waistbands and velcro closures.
Washing dishes: You can show your child how to wash dishes by giving them a plastic basin with warm soapy water and some plastic dishes and utensils to wash.
Food preparation: You can involve your child in simple food preparation tasks, such as slicing soft fruits and vegetables with a child-safe knife, mixing ingredients, and spreading butter or jam on bread.
These practical life activities not only help children develop important life skills, but also promote independence, concentration, coordination, and self-confidence.
Practical life activities are a cornerstone of Montessori education. There are plenty of practical life activities that parents can practice with their young children at home. #MontessoriLife #PracticalLifeSkills #MontessoriEducation #HandsOnLearning #ChildIndependence #MontessoriAtHome #LifeSkillsForKids #PracticalLifeActivities #MontessoriInspired #MontessoriParenting