We use an apron when we cook. Cues are important for the young child’s sense of order. Once the apron goes on, he knows it is time to wash his hands and that we are going to be making some food. I made this apron by modifying the Sewliberated child apron
I help him put on the apron but I let him take it off by himself. It’s not easy but he usually succeeds and is quite proud of himself. Watching him take his apron off has made me realize it’s a good preparation for dressing and undressing.
Undo the velcro tab
That was easy!
Take off apron
Not so easy…
There!
Time to hang it up!
Again, it would have been faster for me to help him take it off but “every unnecessary help is an obstacle to the child” and I try to remember to “never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” He did not come to me for help so he must have felt he could succeed.
Live a Good Life!
0 Comments
Liz · October 11, 2014 at 1:13 pm
I love that he can take his own apron off at only 13 months! The first apron I got for Lotus was a standard design that required me to tie it on and take it off so she would only sometimes want to wear it. A few months ago we got a waterproof one from the How We Montessori shop. it has elastic on the sides and although Lotus takes her head out, her arms get stuck. Maybe I need to give her a little lesson of putting the apron on and off at a time when she is more receptive, like early in the morning before cooking so she is better able to concentrate.
montessorilifeasweknowit · October 12, 2014 at 8:39 am
This is wonderful. I remember when Joshua first took of his apron independently and it was such a delight to see his expression. At 2.5 Joshua can hang up his apron, put on and take it off now, but the progression is what I love to see. Well done Solu.
montessoricarrie · October 14, 2014 at 3:58 am
Great observation that it is a preparation for dressing/undressing! My daughter has been putting her apron on and off for quite a few months. It was to my surprise that she was able to put on her own shirt (over her head and sometimes one arm through completely independently, needs help with the 2nd arm/sleeve and sometimes the first). We have the same apron design and purchased it through Karla at Handmade Montessori https://www.etsy.com/shop/Montessori I love that it is toddler sized!
Cooking with a Toddler: Some Practical Considerations | · January 13, 2015 at 10:46 pm
[…] Children like routines and order. One way to mark the start of work in the kitchen is to use an apron and require hands to be washed. For us this lets him know that we are about to make something and […]