Sensory Issues-Montessori

I have been reading the book "Montessori Today" by Paula Polk Lillard. This is great tool to understand the methods of Montessori. I use some but not all the Montessori methods. I do observe what works best for my child. I really had a "wow" moment realizing the causes of my child's sensory integration disorder while reading a section in this book.
In the book the author describes how children begin their exploration of the earth's environment from the first moment after birth. The infant is overcome with light, sound, smell and touch. Montessori explained this initial experience of the child as a "second birth" because it represented the beginning of a second embryological life outside the womb. The infant may seem to be doing nothing but actually they are exploring in their cribs. It is a silent exploration of hearing, looking and feeling air and touch upon their skin. And Montessori goes on to describe how these first impressions are so fundamental that they shape the development of the child's brain. The entire neurological network has formed within the first 15 days after birth.
My daughter was very sick soon after birth (GBS positivie/sepsis) and was in the NICU for 10 day on IV antibiotics. She did have a lack of oxygen in the first 24 hours of birth. She is now a healthy 8 year old but does have a mild/moderate sensory integration disorder. This is the main reason I do homeschool her. She does not do very well in the over stimulated environment and large classroom. I do believe that her issues at birth directly caused her sensory disorder. I am finding with educational methods work for her....I learn something new each day.

Little Bits of Information #1: Maria Montessori Training Terms

Some of Montessori's terms that are most often used in her training lectures are:
exploration, orientation, order, imagination, manipulation, repetition, precision, control of error leading to perfection and communication.

Fractions

I just used some cardstock (you can laminate if you 'd like) and made a little puzzle to help with the concept of fractional parts.

Homemade Montessori Counting Beads

Instead of using the very expensive traditional Montessori gold beads/rods, I decided to make my own beads using natural wooden beads on natural hemp string. I have only gotten as far as beads for 1-10 as seen in the photo. You can find supplies at your local craft store. I tried to tie the knots as close as I could to the beads on each end just so that when you line them up that it is a very clear pattern that the next number is one bead larger, etc. This time I lined them up to look like a Christmas tree for the holiday season.

Guide to Montessori Grammar Symbols | eHow.com

Guide to Montessori Grammar Symbols eHow.com

Montessori Sand Letters Activity: Montessori Language Activities | eHow.com

Montessori Sand Letters Activity: Montessori Language Activities eHow.com

Shared via AddThis

The Tens Board Montessori Material: Montessori Math Methods | eHow.com

My Homemade Montessori Tens Board! I used red card stock. See the demonstration video below using the typical Montessori wood materials. I try to use a less expensive alternative.

The Tens Board Montessori Material: Montessori Math Methods eHow.com

Shared via AddThis

Counting 1-5 (Age 3)

I presented this using a placemat and wrote 1-5 on cutout cardstock. You can use any type of counting objects. I used unifex cubes. This place mat was great since it has a square pattern on it to keep the cubes in a "box". I let my son count out the cubes himself and line them up under the appropriate box. You can use this activity to help discuss odd/even numbers as well.

First Writing Book

What a great find! I just happened to be looking online for more Montessori style learning toys/books and came across this great board book for young toddlers learning their letters.

http://www.amazon.com/Making-Letters-first-writing-Making/dp/1577912489/ref=pd_ybh_12?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0VSJAES7JV6FB1TXRV5Z

Homeschool Centers

I have realized how difficult it is to teach a 3rd grader and keeping a toddler happy and involved in learning as well. I began making centers around the house, changing them every day to make it a new adventure especially for my 3 year old boy. Please post comments any other ideas on more centers! I will run out of ideas soon! Here are some of my center ideas:

Reading Center (use a pop-up tent or bean bag chair)
Building Blocks
Wedgits building blocks
Wooden puzzles
Dinosaurs (a basket of play dinosaurs and a dinosaur book)
Cutting wooden food (Melissa and Doug)
Sandpaper letters
Car center (with play rug)
Legos or Lincoln Logs
Puppet center (have some cardboard or boxes to create a puppet show theater)
Craft center (glue, paper, scissors, etc)
Tool center (plastic or real tools such as large bolts and nuts) Great for their fine motor skills.
Lacing (age 3 +) -you can use large beads or rigatoni uncooked pasta
Nature center (rocks, leaves, magnifyling glass)
Herbs (smelling and matching fresh or dried herbs)
Hop scotch (indoor mat set)
Airplanes
Musical Instrument Center
Cutting Center (Kumon cutting activity book with safety scissors)
Measuring cups/spoons with dry beans or pasta (scooping exercises)
Big cardboard boxes for building
Exercise mat with music
Electronic educational game center ( I limit this activity)
Drawing/coloring center (provide nice crayons, colored pencils, markers)
Mr. Potato Head
Pet doctor center
Large vehicle center (vs. matchbox cars)

Homeschool Ideas-Toddler Sandpaper Alphabet

For ages 3 +: You can make your own sandpaper alphabet (concept from Maria Montessori) by using sticky felt letters and placing them on a pre-stretched canvas (decoration for child's bedroom as well) or a display board. You can use your own custom colors (acrylic, non-toxic paint). There are many creative ideas on how to display the alphabet...possibly using the grid pattern as I did or place each letter in a painted bubble floating on the canvas but making sure the alphabet stays in order.
During "teaching" time, have your child trace the letter in the direction of how the letter is written, saying the sound (before the name of the letter) 3 times out loud. I would stick to only doing a maximum of 3 letters each lesson. The child will visualize the letter, hear the sound and feel the shape! A great sensorial and language activity.