Color Matching with Art

I printed out these art cards through http:///www.montessoriforeveryone.com
and laminated them. I also used some paint samples that I've collected from various home stores. You can have a matching game with just the printed pictures or search for a particular color using the paint sample cards. You can then extend the activity to providing some art history. :)

Sensory Activity-Grinding Coffee Beans

My kids love the aroma of fresh whole coffee beans so I came up with idea of purchasing an old vintage coffee grinder for them to use. I really think the grinding is a great sensory activity providing some exercise for the upper body by using some good old "muscles" and coordination and the aroma of the beans provide a sense of comfort and a refreshing feeling. Holding the knob correctly helps with those fine motor skills.

Montessori Quote

“Little children, from the moment they are weaned, are making their way toward independence.”
- Maria Montessori

Dissecting a Flower

Dissection of an Iris

This is a wonderful activity for spring! Walking into the local grocery store I became overwhelmed with the beauty of the colors in the floral department. I decided I could not pass by this colorful display without purchasing a bundle of flowers. I realized I could enjoy these blooms and also create a lesson in botany for my kids. I found some wonderful worksheets on Enchanted Learning. I printed a flower anatomy chart and a label the flower worksheet for my 9 year old to use as reference.

She carefully pulled apart the flower with tweezers or her fingers and placed them onto a prelabeled paper provided for her, using the flower part diagram as reference.

The only tools I provided her with were some tweezers, tape, scissors and magniflying glass. She neatly taped the flower parts onto a large white piece of paper. The completed project looks like a piece of art!

Montessori Penny Polishing Activity/ Dollar Bill Lesson

Montessori Practical Life and Science Experiment

Penny Polishing

President’s Day is a great time to introduce the Presidents to young children in a way that is sparks their curiosity. This hands-on experiment is wonderful for their development of a child’s fine motor skills. The photo shows the Montessori inspired experiment pennies, lemon juice, dropper, 1/8 teaspoon measuring spoon, salt and a cloth for polishing.

You can present this to the child by placing one penny in an empty flat dish and then spoon 1/8 teaspoon of salt onto the surface of the penny. Then squeeze 2 drops of lemon juice on top of the salt. The acidity of the lemon juice combined with the abrasiveness of the salt will naturally clean the penny’s surface. Then, using the cloth, show the child how to wipe off the polish.

This is a great Montessori practical life and science experiment. Have a good supply of pennies because young children will enjoy repeating this activity over and over again.

For the “Dollar Bill Activity,” you just need a tray containing a dollar bill and a magnifying glass. Have a small bowl with a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar. Your child can study

the money with a magnifying glass and you can discuss which President's are on the currency.



Simple Name Practice

This is so simple!! You can cut out some pieces of paper (almost like the shape of the letters of the name you will use) or card stock. I added some green lines (keeping it nice and neat) at the bottom of each letter and told my child to pretend the letters are sitting on grass (to help prevent upside down letters)! This is great little puzzle to help your toddler to recognize and spell his/her name.

About Maria Montessori- A Tidbit of History (#2)

• There are two main concepts which Dr. Maria Montessori developed with regard to the child's development and growth.
• These are the concepts of the absorbent mind and the sensitive periods.

About Maria Montessori- A Tidbit of History! (#1)

• Dr. Maria Montessori founded her first “Casa Dei Bambini” in Rome, Italy in January 1907. 
• She applied the diligent observational skills and ceaseless quest for truth that she had learned in her scientific training to her interest in children.
•  Dr. Montessori traveled the globe, studying children of all cultures and social strata and developed a universal education, today known as the Montessori Method.