for our geography learning, which we will do ever so slowly as its a big concept for an almost 3 y/o to handle, i have brainstormed up some fun activities to help the ideas sink in. although its considered a bit early to introduce a structured lesson like this, i feel it is important to help him understand at a very basic level at least where his daddy is in the world when he is away for what seems like eternity to a little guy. this time around i intend to divulge as few "details" as possible about what daddy is up to...for now it seems like the answer "daddy is at work" satisfies the questions. but i'd like to help him understand where daddy is. i started by hanging a big rand mcnally world map (that we laminated) at eye level by our front door. and stuck a tiny photo of pete next to san diego. when he got up from his nap, he went straight to it so i sat with him and told him it was a map of the world. he repeated it was a "nap of the world". we'll work on that. i shows him where pete lives. i told him it was called north america while pointing to it. he did the same. we did this throughout the afternoon and he seemed pleased each time. betsy picked up on the praise he was getting and started walking over to the map and tapping north america so i clapped my hands for her too. a few days ago we started reading a sweet little book, "how big is the world?" by britta teckentrup. its a cute story of a mole who asks creatures he encounters how big the world is....and they each have their answer. finally he takes a tour of the wide seas with a whale. he learns the world is "as big as you want it to be". the book seemed to introduce the idea of a world to him enough that he was receptive to the map. today i added the book "how to make an apple pie and see the world" by marjorie priceman. i was nervous it was a little too much but he requested we read it seven times today so i think its a hit. other books are "rhymes 'round the world" and "me on the map". we will color a us flag, play with an inflatable globe, create the earth with blue and green playdough, learn the montessori continents song (once he can identify all seven). also found this cute "me on the map" visual activity we'll give a whirl. as also have this montessori sensorial continents globe i found for $14 online coming - am really loving this particular website for showing me exactly how to present the concepts to him. this is my first real organized (but introduced slowly) teaching concept so i will just see what works and toss what doesn't. once he has mastered the continents and "world" concept we can start exploring continents individually. this lesson can go on and on and on and learn about their cultures and languages and cuisine! i've seen several bloggers post about their continued summer learning experiments and digging into the cultures of the world, this will be a grand thing for us to do in the summer when he is older. so far he is gobbling it up, its fun to see him absorb - or even just begin to consider these new concepts. i expect this lesson to last over the next several weeks-perfect since its not really appropriate to sit and have formal lessons yet for his age - we just do little bits of learning when the moment strikes - as long as i have the stuff ready to introduce.
for colors, i am making this montessori color spool box and using this color theory introduction. i love this idea as a work activity - using paint chips on an outdoor scavenger hunt to match colors around us in the world. another great work activity with color theory here. again, other than the initial color theory introduction, its hard to know what work he will take to and what will be age appropriate and interesting to him. so this will grow and expand as i determine where he is. its hard to tell if he is "playing hard to get" or if he really can't tell me what color the firetruck is for the 14th time today. sometimes he pretends he can't find things just so we will help him. i'll soon find out.
i'm finding one of the struggles is keeping betsy out of his way...she is interested in her work until she sees something new that he brings out - her eyes light up and she makes a beeline for his side. of course he is hard at work and in deep concentration and wants her out of his space. lots of learning for all of us to make this work. i also need to be very conscious of betsy and her abilities and not discount her interest in things that i have previously dismissed as being too advanced....she is surprising me more and more lately with what she is capable of. i shouldn't be surprised, but i think in the midst of life's business we forget that they are all growing up and learning...and she is learning indirectly just from observing him! on that note, i'd say his biggest challenge (and mine) is practicing gentle touch with betsy and baxter. its only them, he's not rough or downright mean to other babies and no other children but the ones he spends his days with...marking his territory? competing for attention? i have no idea but i have to get to the root of it because it makes everyone miserable to spend the entire day sequestering baxter to safety behind the door of my room and constantly running to rescue betsy. my biggest source of frustration lately.
i have dabbled with the idea of homeschooling. i lean strongly in both directions depending on the day. i really love montessori but its more expensive than your average-church-nursery preschool on the block and i struggle with that - particularly because i think if i get organized and do a lot of research i can at least do montessori preschool from home. then reality strikes and fear sets in. i know lots of parents with multiple children who homeschool and live completely functional lives....i'm not sure i'm one of those capable people! not to mention the fact that i think my boy, in particular, will thrive in a school environment. we've got some schools to visit but for now are planning to try and find a montessori school nearby and with a reasonable price tag for him to attend next year.
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| stringing wood beads: today i introduced the activity to him montessori style and today is the first time he has ever shown interest in and completed (including clean up) the activity....seven times! he particularly enjoyed having momma or betsy or baxter model his creation as a necklace when he finished. |
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| our new world map hanging right by the front door. pete is pointing to north america. by betsy's hand there is a tiny picture of pete taped onto the laminated map. we will slowly learn to identify other continents and eventually learn the montessori continents song. |
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| proud of the digger he built right before bedtime. he even thought to add two lights on top. i am remembering to ask him to tell me about what he created instead of saying "what is it"...so i don't insinuate that i can't identify it. its fun to hear his descriptions. |
