No, I don't mean with your dog!
?
With your toddler and preschooler, of course!
I was reading an article (on a blog and now I can't find it, of course. Maybe one of you can help me? I really want to read it again) regarding 4 year olds in Montessori classrooms and how they like to wander seemingly aimlessly, touching shelves and looking lost. The author mentioned capitalizing on this and introducing "pairing from a distance work" with them.
Bear may not be four, but she does often wander aimlessly around the house and is often very wiggly during what I refer to as "lessons," so I thought we might try our own little "fetching games."
The beauty of these games is that they can be played in SO many ways.
This is the first way we played.
I took Bear's sensory balloons and kept one half with me on the couch. I placed the other half (the matches) across the room.
I asked Bear to choose one of my balloons and feel it. We talked about how it felt sandy inside. I asked her to go to the armchair to see if she could find another "sandy" balloon. She went, fetched the correct balloon and returned to me.
Bear has never liked to match the sensory balloons and would always make mistakes in the past. Today she got them all. Perhaps because the new element of walking back and forth appealed to her, perhaps because she is a kinesthetic learner, or perhaps simply because she is 2.
This is the second way we played.
I took Bear's number puzzle (the numbers are in the shapes) and took all the pieces out of it and left those pieces on one of her tables. I took the frame for the puzzle and kept it, along with her new sandpaper numbers, at the couch with me.
She chose a sandpaper number. I named it for her and showed her how to trace it, staying on the sand "road." She traced the number, then leaving the number with me, walked to the table to fetch the corresponding puzzle piece.
She would have played a third version, but we were interrupted by a little brother:)
It's been delightful catching up on all of your adventures. You have been doing so many wonderful creative activities with Bear. I've been sitting here with a lovely cup of tea, reading through your posts that I have not read lately.
ReplyDeleteI have felt that Savvy is a kinesthetic learner too. She always seems to be more focused when an activity involves her moving around. I like the ideas with your sensory balloons and puzzle pieces, you came up with for Bear.
It's such a neat idea to squeeze glue and turn them into characters like your snowmen. I know Savvy would love this as she can not get enough of gluing at the moment.
We received your postcard today. Savvy was so excited to get a postcard in the mail. She didn't know much about volcanoes and she has been asking questions about them. We will definitely be doing the volcano experiment you suggested. Thank you so much for your interesting postcard. Savvy also really liked the stamp! We have not sent ours out yet, but it won't be long before you have a postcard from us and some information about Australia.
Oh! My goodness! I can leave comments on your page now. When did this change??? I used to try for ages in vain. Check out my blog - sent you a big message in one of the comments re ladybirds. So exciting I can now leave messages about all your great ideas! Those sensory balloons are a great idea - will have to do some soon. (:
ReplyDeleteThe blog that mentioned the fetching and pairing was Movable Alphabet - http://themoveablealphabet.blogspot.com/2010/01/fetching-and-pairing-in-primary.html
I thought it was a great post too. (:
It was on the Movable Alphabet. :) We need tp try this too. I'm hoping, like youe eperience with the balloons that it might generate interest in certain materials.
ReplyDeleteI think you saw this on "The Moveable Alphabet" blog. I remember reading it, too. She always has such great insights to Montessori, doesn't she?
ReplyDeleteSounds like this really worked for Bear! We have some materials that are such good learning tools, but James has little to no interest in them... perhaps this is a way to reintroduce them. Thanks for sharing!
All of those are great! Love the sensory balloon idea. I haven't seen those before. What kind of items do you have in the balloons?
ReplyDeleteThose are great ideas, and I know the "wiggliness" you are talking about. Anna has periods when she is literally running around in circles around the table while talking to us, jumping, spinning, hopping. She is even reading sometimes while climbing up and down the couch at the same time :) It's too funny to watch.
ReplyDeleteYes, I just read that one too! It's here:
ReplyDeletehttp://themoveablealphabet.blogspot.com/2010/01/fetching-and-pairing-in-primary.html
Thanks for a fantastic and inspirational blog - it's the first one I check every day :)
I read that article too and loved it. I thought the 'fetching' sounded like such a great idea. I can't wait to try it. I like your use of the sensory balloons with it too!
ReplyDeleteHi! Just wanted to let you know I have an award for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
HOla!!! yo tambien!!lol, te deje un premio en mi blog!! Disfrutalo es muy dulce!!
ReplyDeleteUN abrazo!!
Karen
Oooh, I love the sensory balloons!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, did the French CD I sent arrive yet? We were listening to it yesterday and I thought of you. :)