Introduction
“Let the children be free; encourage them; let them run outside when it is raining; let them remove their shoes when they find a puddle of water; and when the grass of the meadows is wet with dew, let them run on it and trample it with their bare feet; let them rest peacefully when a tree invites them to sleep beneath its shade; let them shout and laugh when the sun wakes them in the morning.”
As mentioned above, the primary idea of “Montessori pedagogy” is to support children’s natural curiosity for exploration by allowing them to do what they want while also teaching them practical life skills. We are also emphasizing the nature part of this educational approach. So, children of this age are likely to become social beings and to be motivated and interested outside the home. Keep reading to find out some easy Montessori activities that use materials you may already have at home.
1- Playing Color Sorting and Color Finding
One of the first cognitive skills that children learn is the ability to recognize colors. The toddler years are an excellent time to begin actively teaching your children colors, which should be continued until they begin school. Simply by observing, there are numerous opportunities to introduce toddlers to specific colors in everyday life. Start with one color for introductory color sorting exercises. Then, move on to two and more as they identify more specific colors. A color discovery basket can be used to introduce the concept of colors as the first color activity.
You can make a basket from several items that are all the same color. Then put it on a shelf for them to explore at their leisure. The discovery basket is primarily about allowing your children to notice that all of the objects are the same color, even if they are of various sizes and textures.
2- Diagnosing Magnetic Object
Bring a tray along with a magnet, a pencil, metal bulldog clip, toy digger, key, plastic bag clip, metal measuring cup, rock, metal spoon, coin, a peg, a plastic model butterfly, and wooden block. Put all magnetic and non-magnetic items on the tray together. Then give your toddler the magnet. Allow him to explore the tray to diagnose magnetic objects from non-magnetic ones. An older child can make a prediction of what is magnetic and nonmagnetic and then sort them. A toddler needs to spend much more time finding out how to diagnose.
3- Visiting a Local Library
Visiting a public library is a great way to encourage your child to have a love of books and reading. Talk about the library with your child before you go. For example, you can tell him, “a library is a place where we can borrow our favorite books for a while and read them. We should take the books back when we have finished so someone else can read them. Libraries are quiet places. We can’t run around or shout”.
Your child will definitely have fun choosing books from the library. He may be interested in the junior book section.
In addition, library staff can help you find books for your child to enjoy. Libraries also offer storytimes, activities, and school holiday programs for children.
4- Playing a Fun Mystery Bag
This entertaining game uses the sense of touch. Simply put some everyday household items in a bag. They should each feel different. Ask your child to put his hands in the bag and try to identify the objects using touch only. Mystery bag helps to refine the child’s stereognosis sense, and usually, it’s a lot of fun too.
