Posts

Sick Day Activities

Image
Sick day activities:  Any time the weather starts to dip and kiddos go back to school l/ care it almost inevitably means we can expect to see some bugs. However, even if your child should find themselves needing to take a sick day, that doesn’t mean that their day is wasted. As much as we (and they) know that they should be resting in bed while they recuperate, this is easier said than done if they get restless. They’re not going to be sleeping all day… but you don’t want them to spend all day in front of the TV either.  Here are some enjoyable and rewarding sick day activities that’ll help them feel better, help you feel better and ensure that even though they’re not able to get to school their day isn’t wasted. #1: Provide them foods full of goodness  Fruits and veggies are full of wonderful phytochemicals which can help kids to fight off illnesses and keep their bodies operating at peak efficiency. Help them load up on nourishing fruits while also teaching them some ke...
Post a Comment
Read more

Transitioning to a new school

Image
  Transitioning to a new school.  Starting a new school or kindergarten can be exciting and challenging time for little ones and parents so I feel it it best to over prepare for your child’s transition.  The first day a new school environment is a particularly significant time,however the transition continues throughout the first few weeks as children and families settle into the school environment and become familiar with new routines and develop relationships. In my experience all children and care givers can benefit from some planning and preparation. Here are our top tips to making the transition to school life smoother: Make sure your child is familiar with the school The more your child sees of the school, the less they will worry about the unknown. Ensure to attended all of the planned visits and orientation days in the lead up to the first official day, this will allow your child the opportunity to know the classroom and become more comfortable.  Talk about y...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fall activities for your children

Image
Fall activities for you and your children-  Yes I know we don’t really have a fall here in Australia, and it’s pretty much become our summer month now but why not enjoy the fall and Halloween activities all the way up until November!   Here are some fun fall inspired activities you can do with your family this season. 1. Make fall crafts Paint pinecones, decorate pumpkins/make jack-o-lanterns or trace leaves on construction paper. You can even create a family tree using real leaves and branches. This is a great way to teach children about nature and the changing seasons. 2. Go fruit picking  Apple, orange or pumpkin picking is a favorite pastime. If you have somewhere you can access a fruit tree, gather some baskets and get picking. We are lucky enough to have a relative who have many orange and lemon trees we can harvest. All ages can enjoy this activity while eating fruit, climbing trees and being in nature.  3. Bake a family recipe Whether it’s pumpkin pie or vega...
Post a Comment
Read more

Presenting Montessori materials

Image
  Presenting Montessori Materials   Lesson sequences for Montessori classroom work  Montessori materials are such an essential part of the Montessori environment. Montessori materials are provided for children to focus on their interests and developmental needs. It is important that the materials are presented in a specific sequence for children to be able to understand how to use them most optimally.  Montessori Colours Boxes Montessori Colour Boxes are a great visually appealing resource to have in a Montessori environment. They were created to be introduced to children as part of the Sensorial curriculum area, this material engages multiple senses. Colour boxes also have a number of extensions and activities which can be added for children to reach different and more meaningful conclusions and the child progresses. Generally Colour boxes are made from a sustainable wooden material and contain a different amount of matching coloured tablets they are small and...
Post a Comment
Read more

No cost activities children will love

Image
No cost activities children will love   Children love to get out and explore, play and learn, and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot to do so.  There are so many available groups and resources we can utilise for our children that are at little or no cost. And to be honest for my son and myself being quite privileged, it’s important to teach my son to be humble and grateful for the things we can be part of it our community.  Nature walks-  this is our number one go to activity. There are so many beautiful spots you can find while exploring in the outdoors. Your child can discover new things like plant and insect species. They can be immersed in different natural textures like water, mud, sand, grass, crunchy leaves. To take your nature walks to the next level you can take along an activity like a scavenger nature hunt list or we like to create our own treasure map and treasure chest to hide. We really enjoy our nature walks and I urge you to get outside if you can x Pa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Role of an Adult- Montessori Environment

Image
The role of an adult in a     Montessori Environment.   ‘Young children should be our greatest collaborators. To help them acquire all the knowledge they need to act independently, we must partner with them.’ - Maria Montessori  As adults in a Montessori environment it is our role to be present in the child’s life, physically, mentally, and emotionally to aid in their development. Adults/teachers must practice to become passive when the child is at a moment of discovery, and active in a moment of true need. They must be able to tell the difference.  The adult must be a model, in which the child can positively imitate, and guide the child through their learning, but leaving the child free to develop their own will, independence and ability to make their own choices and decisions. The adult in a Montessori environment must strive to be a consistent, stable entity in the child’s life; this will provide the child with a sense of security, routine and love. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rewards and Punishment- How to lean away from them

Image
  Rewards and Punishment Let talk about rewards and punishments with children. Personally I stay away from rewards and punishments with my son. There any many factor to consider when choosing a way of parenting and Disciplinary tactics, what you believe and how you feel about it.  Popular culture would have many believe that there are two ways to influence human behvaiour – through the use of rewards or punishments. The lollie or the stick.  Generally speaking, most professionals in the early childhood education and care industry understand how inappropriate the use of punishments is with young children. There is widespread consensus that relying on spanking or “timeouts” is at best not effective, and at worst, harmful. Less well known is the ineffectiveness of rewards. Sometimes referred to as “positive reinforcements”, praise and rewards do not help children over the long term. Most adults use praise when interacting with young children. Often, this is because we, as ad...
Post a Comment
Read more