Feeding the Fish

This morning we did an activity we called Feeding the Fish. I pulled out an ice cube tray from IKEA, some toast tongs and some pom-poms, and we had fun "Feeding the Fish".
We then did a little scissor work. The Punk cut between the stickers, and then we played with the "cards" he made for a while. Easy to make - they are free stickers I get in some Movie Club advertisements (I am cheap like that) and the Punk knows the characters, so it makes for good patterning and Memory type games. Then we moved on to the bowl of Buttons. I had these ready for him - 3 of each color, but all different shapes. He sorted them, then used his chopsticks to place them back in the bowl.

He's getting so much better with his chopsticks! We have a second pair we take with us to eat sushi, and he feels pretty confident when he picks up food from his plate and it makes the entire trip to his mouth! Practical life, indeed.

This post was linked to: Tot School

Workin' at the Car Wash

After playing outside in the sandbox (90 degrees in April!) we needed to cool off, and get the cars clean. So we set up a Car Wash in the bathroom!

The punk washed each car carefully, and made sure to get all the sand out of each one.

Then he set them aside to dry on a towel.

When he was finished he took his toothbrush cup and rinsed the sand out of the sink.

And took a big drink! Look how red those cheeks were. It was hot, and he enjoyed the cool water after playing so hard (and washing cars).

Happy boy, Happy Mom, clean cars - what more could you want?

This post linked to: We Play (Childhood 101)

Chopsticks

The Punk transferred beads into suction cups today using chopsticks. It is simple and complex at the same time. He loved this, and I really like quiet work while I have my coffee - we will do it again and again.

Linked to: Montessori Monday

Who cut the cheese?

Practical Life : Lessons are used to develop concentration, attention span, fine motor skills, eye-hand co-ordination, decision making power, patience and independance.

In other words - practical stuff you need to learn how do do.

Today's lesson - using a knife. Today's snack - cheese. Today's Punk - Thrilled beyond belief.

Using a knife is Big Boy work. And he craves the Big Boy title so bad it hurts. He's well on his way. And I am so proud of him.

If I had a Hammer

Hammering golf tees into styrofoam with Daddy. A practical life type activity by Montessori standards. A Mommy-still-smashes-her-fingers-when-she-hammers-so-Daddy-had-better-teach-you-this activity in our home. I wish I was kidding.