Pregnancy And Baby Care Articles General Articles

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• Exploration
• Order
• Communication
• Self preservation and other similar traits

The main point is that environment is not doctored to enable learning. The child is shown (or encouraged) to learn from the environment, using the tool he or she will find in this environment. This teaching method helps the child become independent in thought and action.

The main hallmarks of the Montessori form of education is that

• There are mixed age groups of children in classrooms
• Children can pick out from different activities in the course of the school day activities
• There are uninterrupted blocks of learning time where the child learns from a constructivist attitude (or putting the facts in a logical order to derive the learning), rather than just learning by rote
• Using specialised education materials created by Maria Montessori

Most education systems do not deal with infants or toddlers. But the Montessori system is different. This education system has programs that deal with infants and toddlers which range from children who are 15 months to toddlers of 30 months old. The infant and toddler program usually has activities to develop movement and independence in the children. Toilet training is also an important part of this activity.

The catchphrase for this form is ‘help me to do it myself’ and that sums up what the Montessori activities for toddlers comprise. You can either look for Montessori schools in your vicinity or find a way to create that environment in your home. It’s not very difficult especially if you have the toys that already teach and learn.

Some of the activities your toddler might enjoy even if the system is emulated at home:

• Child friendly blocks – with letters or numbers on them. The aim of it is to develop and spot patterns early on.
• Blocks can also be used to build different structures, especially for younger children. Building blocks can help the child learn colours and shapes.
• As your toddler grows up, you can incorporate teaching shapes and patterns into kitchen-based activities like cutting vegetables, making pancakes or even into baking.
• Using shapes to print with paint on cloth or making distinctive shapes with familiar items like fruit or vegetables.
• Basic jigsaws with simple paintings and bigger shapes that can be linked can be made.
• Scraps of paper can also be used to create a colour association.

It is just as easy to create a Montessori-like environment at home. Parents interested in homeschooling their children often organise Montessori sessions with other parents and their toddlers. In order to put together a session like that, you can set up activity tables depending on the age group of children expected.

Words, letters, colours, shapes or numbers, you can use any of these basics to create challenging yet fun Montessori activities.

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