From a friend on an online mailing list:

When my niece Pixie (2,5 years old) was visiting, I took her to the park one day so she could try the swings and the rest of the playset they have there.

She was asking for help with a lot of things, and wanted to hold my hand when we walked etc. And it’s not that I mind helping her, of course, or mind holding her hand for that matter (in fact, if we are walking with cars nearby I prefer it, that way she at least isn’t running out in to the traffic). But I was a little curious as to why she wanted so much help when she usually wants to do everything herself.

I realized later that the reason is of course that I am not her parent, so she needn’t have that independence struggle with me. In any case, I asked “How come you are so little all of a sudden, your mum says you’re such a big girl” and she answered: ”I AM a big girl. AND I need help. Big girls need help too some times”

Well, there’s me told…She is absolutely right of course. How could you get too old/big/grown up to need help?

In an effort to encourage independence in my daughters for their morning routines, I came up with a chart that I laminated and posted in the bathroom. This way, they are gently reminded of what needs to be done when they wake up in the morning.

Do you have other suggestions you’d like to share about how you help your children become independent in this aspect? Please share by leaving a comment.

Download colour version

Download black and white version

I just thought I’d revisit some of my old blog posts and found that the Montessori Pink Level manipulatives are still my hottest download. If you (or someone you know) are looking to teach your children to read using the Montessori method, the pink scheme, that you’d find in a high-priced Montessori school is available here for free! (well save for the actual objects for the object boxes-which I substituted for object cards).

Intro to pink-level reading scheme

Object Boxes

Object Box reinforcement exercises

Picture Cards

Word Lists

Word List Writing Practice

Sight Words

Phrase Strips

Phrase Strips writing activity

Sentence Strips

Sentence Strip tracing

If you want a professionally-produced set, I am able to produce them for you.

“Careful, or you’ll poke your eye out!” How many times have we heard that expression as we’ve grown up? Frankly, I’ve never had any form of injury to my eyes, nor have my children.

People often wonder why I allow my young children to use sharp scissors and knives to work with. I might get a lot of flack for this, but I think that safety-wise, it’s much safer to use proper tools than “dumbed down” ones for several reasons:

1. Children will learn from the beginning that using a tool has risks and it’s essential to be careful.

2. It’s actually safer. Chances of injury are much higher if using a dull knife or scissors. When a tool is not in it’s prime condition, chances of the blade slipping or not doing its job as intended is much higher. 

3. Children develop an immediate respect for the tool. If you show them the potential for harm from the beginning, they are more apt to be cautious.

In order for this to be a positive experience rather than ending up in the ER, supervision is tantamount. If you’re unable to put your full attention on your child, please choose a better time when your child can be your one priority. 

Show your child how the scissors/knife/tool works and point out ways that they can potentially injure themselves. If practical, have them touch the edge carefully (with your hand guiding them) to see how really sharp it is. 

Demonstrate how to use the tool in order to not be injured; how to watch for the fingers and to hold it for best results.

Make it a strict rule that if the child needs to leave the table, the tool remains on the table–it is not to be taken with them. I think that the greatest potential for injury is when a child might become distracted and follows his impulses. If an adult is present to avoid that, accidents are lowered to almost 0%. 

Emily loves cutting with my bee scissors, but being impulsive as she is, it’s not unusual for her to jump up and run to see something or grab a toy she decided she wants. These are the times I need to remind her to put the scissors on the table and THEN get her toy or whatever she wanted. While she is actually cutting paper, she is 100% focused on the task at hand and has never nicked herself. 

Give your children a little credit. We are starting to live in a society with padded walls because of all the “what ifs” in  life. Much better to teach proper safety and techniques than to live in fear of what could possibly happen.

If you’re looking for a copy of the Montessori Pink Level Reading Set, cut and laminated. I have it available on eBay at the link below. This set is selling for under half the amount you’d be able to get it elsewhere.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=120338797972

Have a happy Sunday!

editor’s note: I no longer have these available for sale on eBay, but am able to make you a set for $60 if you like (consider it a good deal, once you add up the cost of materials, they are expensive to produce! Use the contact form in the ‘About’ section to get hold of me.