I wrote posts about Solu’s activities at different ages and it has helped me to look back on them. Unfortunately, I have not written much about Metu’s activities because life has been so much busier with two children and we have been traveling a lot since he was born. He has had activities set up for him too since he was born but there have been some differences. He has generally had fewer activities at a time than Solu had because he is also interested in Solu’s activities. Also because we have moved a lot, I have had to make do and adapt to wherever we are. The final difference is that he has spent more time on real opportunities for activities vs. shelf activities.

This was our set-up when we first arrived in Perugia. Metu is home alone with a carer during the day so most of the workspace is for him.

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We don’t have a shelf so this platform has been our makeshift shelf. It works because Solu goes to school and so doesn’t need much space at home. He didn’t really take to the blue workspace and instead works standing or transports the activity to the couch or another location.

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In the AMI 0-3 training we talk about posting and threading activities. Basically, children like to put things into container or holes (posting) and they also like to thread things unto posts. These activities help develop their hand eye coordination and fine motor movements. Metu finds a lot natural ways to meet the needs but these materials offer a chance for more precision and repetition

This is a plastic version of a very popular Montessori puzzle. I chose to bring it because it lighter, a bit smaller and i really like the grasps are shaped like the shape of the piece. I highly recommend it. The only con I would say is that there has been a little more throwing with this than I remember with Solu. This can be because of the material or just a difference in temperaments

This is a plastic version of a very popular Montessori puzzle. It is made by kid o I chose to bring it because it lighter, a bit smaller and I really like that the grasps are shaped like the shape of the piece. I highly recommend it. The only con I would say is that there has been a little more throwing with this than I remember with Solu. This can be because of the plastic material or just a difference in temperaments. He figured it out quite quickly and got bored.

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This is another material by Kid-o that is similar to a Montessori one. The difference is that this disc is larger and the dowels are in a row. I rotated the 3 shape puzzle for this one when Metu got bored. He struggled a little in the beginning but figured it out and really enjoyed it for a few weeks. This seems to require him to use two hands to place the disc and I think this is an advantage because two hands working together means two sides of the brain working together. He doesn’t yet sort them by color but just yesterday I noticed he started associating the colors.

In use

In use

Joy!

Joy!

This is a family favorite. Both boys have loved and continue to love it. We got it from Early School Materials and while it is pricey, we highly recommend it. I only put out a few of the piece and gradually add over time. He still puts the thin ones in some of the wider holes so he is not completely discriminating yet

This is a family favorite. Both boys have loved and continue to love it. We got it from Early School Materials and while it is pricey, we highly recommend it. I only put out a few of the piece and gradually add over time. He still puts the thin ones in some of the wider holes so he is not completely discriminating yet but the impressions are being made because… see next picture

I bought the boys some bubble liquid. Metu mostly spilled his own but as soon as the container was empty, he looked at it and his face lit up and he walked away. I was curious and just watched. He came back with the thick dowel and immediately tried to fit it in. It was like he immediate knew it would fit. We talk about this sensorial impression or muscular memory a lot in Montessori. It is so important for children to work with their hands.

I bought the boys some bubble liquid. Metu mostly spilled his own but as soon as the container was empty, he looked at it and his face lit up and he walked away. I was curious and just watched. He came back with the thick dowel and immediately tried to fit it in. It was like he immediately knew it would fit. We talk about this sensorial impression or muscular memory a lot in Montessori. It is so important for children to work with their hands.

He enjoyed the empty container a lot and used it for opening and closing. This is what I mean by Metu learning more in a different ways. He finds ways to meet his needs using things we have around the house even before I get a chance to set up anything. He spent a lot of time opening and closing this container so I put it out for him at the beginning of each day.

He enjoyed the empty container a lot and used it for opening and closing. This is what I mean by Metu learning more in a different ways. He finds ways to meet his needs using things we have around the house even before I get a chance to set up anything. He spent a lot of time opening and closing this container so I put it out for him at the beginning of each day.

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The lids were also his discovery. I found him stacking and lining them up several times so I put them out for him

Menu's work with the caps

Metu’s work with the caps

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Solu also finds interesting ways to use these

These were used by Solu when he was older but Metu enjoys them. He stacks them, puts them in holes and loves pulling them out and throwing them. lol. He doesn't arrange by color yet.

These were used by Solu when he was older but Metu enjoys them. He stacks them, puts them in holes and loves pulling them out and throwing them. lol. He doesn’t arrange by color yet.

Stacking

Stacking

He sometimes combines them. Finds connections

He sometimes combines materials

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This happened yesterday (June 9th)

ETA: One week later

Creative combinations

Creative combinations

Homemade ball tunnel

Homemade ball tunnel

  1. Kid-O shape puzzle
  2. Kid-O ring stacker
  3. Thick and thin pegs
  4. Kobba bops pegs

Books

  1. Where is baby’s belly button
  2. Dear Zoo
  3. A very hungry caterpillar
  4. Global Babies

Not a lot of materials and so much plastic compared to Solu’s shelves at 13 and 14 months, but we have made the best of our situation and he has really gotten a chance to perfect his knowledge of them and become creative. Above all, it has made me appreciate even more the essence of Montessori parenting. It is so much more than perfect wooden toys 🙂

Metu also has a lot of real/practical life opportunities too. I will write about these in a separate post.


0 Comments

Christine Laubin · July 22, 2016 at 8:56 am

Thank you very much!

Heather · July 24, 2016 at 4:05 pm

Thank you! What a lovely space for your son to work in and I love the materials! <3

Sophie Cheng · July 28, 2016 at 7:33 am

Thank you very much for your posts. I understand how busy a working mother of two must be. I hope it is not intrusive to comment. I have been reading your posts since being introduced via HowWeMontessori.com. I really appreciate your soft Montessori parenting aspect as compared to the physical environment setups that are richly available on the Internet. Your Montessori training does shine through, as evident in anyone transformed by the Montessori outlook. I find it challenging to learn how to be a good Montessori parent and find much inspirations from your posts. I wish the very best for you and your family. Sophie

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