Montessori and Mixed Age Classrooms

Montessori and Mixed Age Classrooms 

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A Montessori Classroom is very different from a regular classroom . A mixed age classroom is one of the most important principles of Montessori method of education. Dr. Maria Montessori believed children learn better from their peers rather than a teacher. Mixed age classrooms usually cater to students from the age of 3-6 years , 6-9 years and so on. 

Dr. Maria Montessori observed that a young children definitely looks up to older children and try to do what the older children are doing. Even if they are not able exactly do what the older child has done, still they put in a lot of effort to do it.

Importance of Mixed Age classrooms :

Helps in developing Leadership qualities in older children :

In today's day and it is very important to work together in teams or groups. In teams, everyone has to listen to the team leader and report to him. Montessori method of Education, instills the leadership qualities in a child from a very young age. The older children feel responsible and confident. It also makes them disciplined as it teaches them to complete their task or activity on time. In case the younger children face any difficulty, the older children help them.

Working together in a group :

Montessori Method of education teaches children to work together in groups for certain activities and help each other. Working in groups teaches them that the whole group is responsible for anything so they need to work hand in hand . Children tend to make group rules sometimes and each group member has to follow the rules. 

Eliminates Competition :

As all children are mostly working independently on different activities, there is no competition among children and they complete their activity or task without any stress or pressure.

Makes the children sensitive and considerate :

It makes the children considerate and compassionate towards the needs of their peers.They learn to help their peers and not make fun of them if they have done something wrong.

Children learn to strive for better :

In a mixed age classroom, children get an opportunity to see and observe what the other children are doing. This helps them to think and do better.

Teachers have fun too :

In a mixed age classroom, not only the students but the teacher also gets to interact with students of different age groups. They enjoy the different kinds of interaction from varied aged students.

 ‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ 

 https://www.theblogchatter.com/ and

 is a part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

Recycled Materials Used for Children's Activities

 Recycled Materials Used for Children's Activities 

image source - www.pexels.com

It is very important for children to conserve the environment and appreciate their surroundings. In order to keep them busy and also teach them the importance of the environment, one can perform a lot of educational and fun activities with the recyclable material available at home. 

Sharing readily available recyclable materials for children's activities:

Cardboard :

image source - www.pexels.com

One of the easiest materials available in everyone's houses. Collect the cardboard boxes that you receive from Amazon or Flipkart. These boxes can be used in various ways for children's activities. 

• Cut a piece of card board and let your child do free hand painting. It can become a canvas for him.
• You can cut different shapes and use it for school projects, number  activities and literacy games.
• Card board is one of best materials to do craft activities. 

Bubble Wrap :

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A lot of bubble wrap is used as packaging material. Instead of throwing it, it can be used for painting. Take a piece of bubble wrap, apply some paint and let your child dab it on a piece of paper. Children love the wonderful texture of the bubble wrap painting.

Plastic Bottles :

image source - www.pexels.com

Instead of throwing the plastic bottles and harming the environment, one can cut the bottles into halves and make it into planters. Bottles can used for craft activities too. Use your creative skills and paint the bottles. 

Bottle Caps :

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You can not only save bottles but can use their caps too for activities for children. These caps come in very handy for color recognition, sorting, number and language activities for kids.

Newspaper :

image source - www.pexels.com

Another very versatile material for children's activities. You can use newspapers to make paper bags, use it for gift wrapping materials and also can be used for paper mache. A lot of pictures can be sued from the newspapers to make a collage.

Cans/ tins :

image source - www.pexels.com

Instead of throwing away coke cans, decorate them and make cute pen stands for your child's study table. 

Involve your children in all these activities and see how much they enjoy themselves. Let them explore and have fun with all the materials. Children do not need expensive toys to learn and play. By suing the recyclable material, they won't only enjoy themselves but also learn how to make the most of what is available to them. It is better to start young and teach them the importance of conserving the environment.

This article is a part of Blogchatter's cause a chatter  , Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ The hyperlink will be: https://www.theblogchatter.com/

This blog post is also part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

Hello Healthy Skin - Book Review

BOOK REVIEW

 Book Name  - Hello Healthy Skin

Author            - Sindhu Vinod Narayan

Publisher       - Blogchatter

format            - E book

About the Book:

Your skin is divine and the organ that needs utmost care. Be it sensitive or no, it isn't a laboratory to keep trying on new chemicals or stuff from shiny bottles, tubes, or tubs.A most important point when you plan to choose a new skincare product is to check the ingredients on the label for the presence of harsh chemicals that could harm your skin. Next on the list would be to confirm if the product would suit your skin type.Most of the chemicals that you apply to the skin can enter your bloodstream. Skin is the largest organ that can absorb toxins and lead to skincare problems like irritation,allergies, and sensitivities. If we dare not drink crude oil, why would we put it on the skin? Whatever you use is typical food for the skin and the body.

Identifying skin type is one of the mandatory checks one has to do. Whether you use the high range or low range knowing skin type is a must to choose products that suit your skin. Brands nowadays make it clear on their labels the skin type the product suits and warnings on who shouldn't use it.

Leaving aside everything, 'Did you know that your kitchen, pantry, or your house is the biggest warehouse of skincare ingredients?" When you have so many options that are easily accessible at home, why should we fall prey to tubs and tubes?

Almost every ingredient in our kitchen has a unique skincare property. Our ancestors knew this from the very beginning. And it is all coming back into the trend with companies bringing in products based on ubtan, sandalwood, besan, and aloe vera. People are hesitant to use it from kitchens but are happy when the same is bottled and given in brightly labeled packs.

Why did I read this book?

Growing up, my Sunday ritual used to be applying a scrub of  wheat flour and cream on my face. I have seen my grand mother and my mom use raw milk on their body for years. I truly believe in using home remedies for skin rather than spending a lot of money on creams with chemicals. When I got to know about this book, I knew I had to read it because there 's nothing like raw, fresh ingredients to take care your skin.

Also, this is Sindhu's debut book and I have read her previous blogs. I like what she writes and wanted to read her book.

My Review :

This book is a plethora of ingredients which are easily available in our kitchen and we can use for our skin. I loved that Sindhu described each product, its importance and then gave options of how to use it on the skin. I have added Apple Cider Vinegar in my salads but I didn't know that it could be used as a toner too. 

This book is a very easy guide for anyone who wants to use a face pack or scrubs using natural ingredients. Her writing style is simple and clear. The book is very easy to read and one can easily go back and look for face pack recipes as all the ingredients are in alphabetical order. The title of the book is apt because you are actually saying Hello to Healthy Skin.

About the Author :

Sindhu is a freelance content writer and a social media influencer based in Chennai.She had a passion for writing even while working in the IT industry. So she quit her job to pursue her dream as 'That Madras Mom'. She enjoys taking care of her home and her two kids while writing about parenting, skin care and lifestyle.

Rating : 5/5

‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ The hyperlink will be: https://www.theblogchatter.com/

Book Review -The Misters Kuru - A Return To Mahabharata

 BOOK REVIEW

Book Name  -  The Misters Kuru

Author         -   Trisha Das

Publisher     -   Harper Collins

Genre          -   Fiction

Format       -   Paperback

Pages          -    326

link to buy  -  https://www.amazon.in/dp/9354224350

About the book :

Draupadi, Amba and Kunti are well settled in their modern-day Kalyug in New Delhi. So, imagine their surprise when, completely out of the blue, Yudhishtra, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva - the Pandava brothers - drop into their world from the heavens. What follows is even more laughter and tears as new battles are fought, old fires are rekindled, and the men find their place in the modern world. If you thought the women had the adventure of a lifetime in Ms Draupadi Kuru: After the Pandavas, the men from the Mahabharata will certainly give them a run for their money. One thing is certain - by the end of their visit, nothing will ever be the same again.

Why did I read this book :

This book is a sequel to the book Ms. Draupadi Kuru. I have grown up watching the Mahabharata and listening stories from my grandparents. I had read the author's first book, Ms. Draupadi Kuru and I loved it. In that book, Draupadi is bored of staying in heaven for more than thousand years and she asks Krishna's permission to visit earth for thirty days. Along with Amba, Kunti and Gandhari they land in New Delhi and are surprised to see how the things have changed. That book was so much fun. They are given thirty days to stay on earth but as the events unfold, they decide to stay on earth forever. Draupadi gets to speak about the crimes against women and becomes a very popular TV anchor with a news channel. Amba falls in love Kunti gets to meet the mortal version of her son, Karan.  When I came to know that the sequel to that book is out, I had to read it !

My Review :

The Pandavas are in a shock when they get to know that Draupadi, Kunti and Amba have taken permission from Krishna and are on Earth. They find it very disturbing and want to bring them back. After taking permission from Krishna, they too land on Earth for 30 days. They are shocked to see how much has changed on Earth from the time they lived. It takes a few days but all of them try to adjust on earth and find something to do. The strong spark of romance is rekindled between Draupadi and Arjuna.

I loved the way how the author brought the mythological characters together in a fun and witty manner. When I heard the stories about Draupadi and watched Mahabharata , I always felt that she wasn't treated properly and should have only gotten married to Arjuna. I am glad that the author has portrayed her to be a strong, independent woman who has the ability to raise her voice against the wrong.  The addition of so many elements of the present day India, like Cricket, Fashion Show, Gurus ,etc will definitely appeal to a lot of people. 

I loved the flow of the book. The author's writing style is simple and crisp yet full of humor.The cover of the book is bright and vibrant. Over all it is a very easy, fun to read book which will bring a smile on your face. I finished the book in two days. A perfect book for the weekend!.

Do read the book to see whether Pandavas go back to heaven or continue their journey on earth and whether Arjuna and Draupadi live happily ever after .

About the Author :

Trisha Das is the author of The Mahabharata Re-imagined, The Art of the Television Interview and the internationally acclaimed How to Write a Documentary Script. She has written and directed over forty documentaries in her filmmaking career. Trisha has also won an Indian National Film Award (2005) and was UGA's 'International Artist of the year' (2003). You can find Trisha dancing around her study on most days or contact her on facebook, @trishadasauthor , Twitter @the trishadas , Instagram @trishadas or via email : trishadasauthor@gmail.com

Rating - 4/5 

‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ The hyperlink is https://www.theblogchatter.com/

and also a part of  https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review

Key Terms Used in Montessori Method of Education

Key Terms Used in Montessori Method of Education 

Dr. Maria Montessori introduced  a wonderful method to parents and teachers to teach and bring up children. Like all sciences, Montessori method of education also used different terminologies . These terms help parents and teachers understand the concept better.

Here is a list of important terms used in the Montessori Method of Education :

Absorbent Mind :

Maria Montessori believed that the children's mind is like a sponge. The more you teach them the more they absorb and grasp.  According to her, most of the child's development takes place between the age of 0-6 years. Till the age of 3 years , a child absorbs everything which he sees around him indiscriminately. Once the child has turned 3 years, he begins to understand his environment better and starts expressing his feelings as a unique individual.  

Children's House :

In most of the Montessori Schools, the classrooms for children between the age of 3-6 years are called Children's House.

Control Of Error :

In a Montessori Classroom, a child is given an instant feedback of any activity which he is doing. The child is able to understand and rectify the error without any adult assistance. This makes the child independent and it gives him the confidence to complete tasks on his own.

Courtesy :

Being courteous forms an integral part of the Montessori curriculum. The children from the very beginning are taught be polite and talk with respect. Words like "thank you" and "please" form an integral part of their everyday lives.

Didactic Materials :

In simple terms, didactic means which which is designed for some specific purpose. In Montessori method of teaching, all the materials are made by Dr. Maria Montessori and are only available in the Montessori classrooms.

Mixed Age Classrooms :

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that no two children are the same. In a Montessori classroom, children of mixed ages are grouped together. For eg. 3-6 years in  one class, 6-9 in a different and so on. This helps the younger children to learn better from other children who are slightly older to them. This helps in building leadership qualities in older children and also they become role models for the younger children. Mixed age class room is also very helpful in building social skills in children.

Practical Life:

Montessori method lays a lot of emphasis on the practical life and day to day work. The children are given simple tasks of dusting, sweeping, keeping their toys back, setting of table. Also, from an early age, they are encouraged to get dressed independently.

Rules :

Although a child is allowed to move independently in a Montessori Classroom, there are certain ground rules which need to be followed. For eg, Not to interfere or interrupt any other child while he is working on an activity, keeping things back after completing an activity.

Repetition of Activities :

The children are given the independence to choose the activities which they would like to do and repeat it a number of times until they are satisfied.Montessori method of education gives them the freedom to choose and work on any activity that they like. This makes them feel important and a part of the family.

Sensitive Periods :

In Montessori, the sensitive periods occurs from birth to six years of age. During this period, the child shows spontaneous concentration and urge to do a particular task.

Three hours work period :

In Montessori schools children have three hours of open, uninterrupted time to choose independent work, become deeply engaged, and repeat to their own satisfaction.

Work:

Usually work is used for the term play. In Montessori method, play is also defined as a form a form of work. The existence of a pressure free environment gives them the freedom to have fun and play whatever they want to play.

‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ The hyperlink will be: https://www.theblogchatter.com/

Curriculum in Montessori

 Curriculum in Montessori  

A Montessori classroom is not like any regular classroom. It is divided into five different areas. Dr. Maria Montessori believed in Education through play and practical learning.

 A Montessori Curriculum offers 5 areas of study :

Practical Life :

From a very early age, children should be taught simple things like dressing themselves on their own, making their own bed, putting away their toys and books. They should be encouraged to keep their plate back in the kitchen, help in peeling eggs, potatoes, peas etc. and setting of table. They are taught simple courtesies of life, like saying thank you, sorry and please. Teaching these basic etiquette makes the child, kind, humble and patient.

Language Area :

In this area, the child learns the letters of the English Language with the help of phonics, joining these letters to form words and writing skills. All these are taught through fun activities. Simple materials like a sand paper is given to the child for him to practice writing letters. Also there a lot of story books kept in this area with bright and colorful pictures for the children to read and enjoy themselves.The teacher also tells them stories in a group and sometimes they organised fun puppet shows and crafts based on the story. They are also encouraged to talk freely and express their views which helps them to improve their vocabulary.

Math :

With the help of various fun activities, children learn numbers, the concept of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. A lot of emphasis is made on hands on learning to teach children about quantities, place values, ascending or descending order. This practical approach helps them to understand the concept thoroughly. For example, they are given a rod with 10 different colored balls. This children learn the sequence counting.

Sensorial :

Sensorial study is given a lot of importance in a Montessori curriculum. It is very important even for a small baby to be aware of his senses and a lot of activities are done for the child to be able to explore his five senses. A child is provided with various materials to explore, see the different shapes, colors, feel , touch and have fun with different textures. It teaches them how to classify, sort and differentiate different materials. Sensorial study lays the foundation for other subjects is future , like geometry, math, science and art.

Cultural Studies :

Subjects, like art, geography, history, science and music is integrated in such a wonderful way that the children not only learn about their culture but also learn about the world around them. For example, while learning about pyramids, they learn geometry too. Children learn to appreciate all over the world. They learn that people living in different parts of the world are not same. They learn about their food, clothes and can easily compare with theirs . They understand that every country has a different language.

All this is taught in a prepared environment. The activities are laid out for children and everyday the child chooses what he would like to do. Each class room has a three hour work window where the student has ample time to work on an activity. If there is an error, they ask the teacher, who helps as guide and the child rectifies the error on his own.

 ‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ 

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DIY Activities For Children

DIY Activities For Children

image source :www.pixabay.com

 The best way to keep a child engaged is to do simple activities with him. Children get bored very easily. You have to think of innovative and fun ideas to keep them busy. I strongly believe that one doesn't need to buy expensive toys all the time for children. You can plan a lot of simple and fun activities with the materials available at home. You just need to plan a little bit in advance. All the time spending money on expensive toys is not the answer to keep children busy.

Sharing some materials which can be used for planning these activities are:

Utensils :

                                                         image source :www.pixabay.com

Utensils are most readily available in all homes. From babies to toddlers, all children love to play with them in various ways. Give steel and plastic utensils to a baby and see how much fun he has by banging them because it makes noise. Babies are happy with one spoon and a small bowl too. Children who are slightly older, love to sort cups, plates and bowls according to size or you can even do an ascending and descending order activity with them. Make an obstacle course by keeping steel glasses and ask the child to run or jump his way out.

Rice, pulses and other grains:

                                                                        image source :www.pixabay.com

Rice and pulses become an excellent sensory activity for toddlers. You can hide objects of different colors under a bowl of rice and ask the child to find them. Children who are 2-3 years of age can learn numbers or letters by hiding them under the rice. You can even put small slips of words in the rice. The child has to take out the slips and frame a sentence or just take a big bowl and put rice or pluses and let the child have fun. Let him feel the texture and have fun. To make white rice attractive, you can even dye the rice and make it look colorful.

Paper plates / cups :

                                                                     image source :www.pexels.com

Paper plates and paper cups can be used for varied activities , like craft, numbers, free hand painting etc. Stacking paper cups one on top of another is a really fun activity. It seems easy but as the cups are very light, sometimes, they just fly away and it takes effort for the child to stack them

Ice Cream Sticks :

Another very versatile material that can used for children activities are the ice cream sticks. Keep a lot of sticks at home. You can even paint them if you want. These can be used for making  matching letters, numbers, words, color matching and sorting. You can make a pen stand or a hut by joining these ice cream sticks together.

Stationery Items :

                                                                        image source :www.pexels.com

Keep different colored chart papers , crayons, paints, sketch pens, paints, pencils,eraser sharpener , gum and fevicol always at home. You can draw something for your child to color it or just use it for scribbling and writing practice.

Other Miscellaneous materials :

image source :www.pixabay.com

Other miscellaneous materials that you need at home for activities for children are pom poms, glitter, colorful stickers, pipe cleaners, colored buttons and clothes pins.You can use these as per the activity you plan to do with your child.

Recyclable Materials :

                                                                              image source :www.pexels.com

Newspapers, cardboard, bubble wrap are very interesting materials to plan activities for children. 

Materials from your garden or surroundings :

                                      image source :www.pexels.com

Leaves, twigs, small pebbles and flower petals can be used as per your innovation and you can create a lot of things with them.

Your child doesn't need fancy things to play with. He wants your attention and simple games to play with. Spend maximum time with your children and plan one activity a day. See how much they will enjoy themselves and this will make you happy too. It is never too late to start. Plan ahead and have fun with your child.

 ‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ 

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Montessori and Individualized Curriculum

 Montessori and Individualized Curriculum

Maria Montessori emphasized that every child should be treated as a unique individual and should be given the freedom to think and learn at their own pace. She stated that children learn in different ways with different learning styles. The Montessori curriculum follows a 3 year sequence because the child learns at his own pace. The individualized lesson plan may exceed the time which would have been taught in a regular classroom where same concept is taught to all children at the same time.This individualized curriculum is practiced from the very early stage like for children who are 2.5 years to 6 years of age. This encourages the preschoolers to interact with other classmates, explore different materials and be independent.   This further promotes in building their confidence, thought process and logical thinking.

Montessori Method of education gives students an option to advance through the curriculum as and when the child is ready, guided by the teacher. The teacher does not interrupt the students. They are given uninterrupted time for individualized learning which helps them to develop their natural talents and passion.

The classroom is designed in such a way that all the materials needed for different activities are easily accessible by the students . The student decides which activity he wants to do. The children are given the freedom to perform activities either individually or in groups. This helps in developing discipline, concentration and independence. 

Montessori schools also teach the same skills which are taught in the traditional schools but their approach to teach different subjects is very different. They have the same subjects, like math, languages, science, history and geography but theses subjects are integrated and practical activities are presented with each topic.

The inter relatedness of all things builds a natural curiosity in a child which leads him to learn more. For eg, while Studying about the African continent, its art, history, culture everything is taught together. Study of pyramids is a great example to teach geometry to students.

Individualized curriculum is given a lot of importance in Montessori Method of education as it is observed that children are motivated to learn better when they are working on something of their own choice and at their own pace.

It also helps children set their learning goals and also learn how to create their own personal space under a teacher's guidance. 

Although the students are free to work at their own pace but a Montessori teacher is always present as a guide who observes and provides the required materials for different activities. This helps the child to master the task in hand and also challenges to do better at other tasks.

Also, in a Montessori classroom, usually there is only one of each material. This helps the child to develop patience as he waits for the material to become available.

Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world - Maria Montessori

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Montessori - Freedom within Limits

"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed. ~ Maria Montessori"

Montessori Method of education was developed by Maria Montessori . One of the most important principles of Montessori method of education is to give the child the freedom to do whatever he wants to do but this freedom should be given within limits. Maria Montessori believed that the child is an explorer and is capable of doing a lot of things.

Tips to implement freedom within limits in your house :

Plan ahead and set ground rules :

Make a list of simple house rules that you would like to implement and want everyone in the house to follow. Discuss with your spouse and then tell your children. One thing to keep in mind is the tone how you talk to your child. Rules do not mean scaring the child or being strict. It means to lay down certain boundaries . For eg.,

• Not to jump on the couch or beds. Jump on the floor or a mat or in  garden.
• Not to splash water in a glass or on the floor. Splash water in a water tub.
• Put away the dishes after eating.
• Put the toys back in their proper space after playing.

Act as a guide and not a dictator:

Our role in Montessori Parenting is to be around the children when they are doing an activity. Let them play or do the activity the way they want to do. Giving them the freedom on how to think makes them independent and competent individuals. It also helps them to improve their critical thinking, problem solving skills and concentration.

Follow through the rules that have been set :

If you have given the freedom to let your child do whatever he wishes to do then be consistent. Do not change the rules frequently. This will confuse the child. Also, a child might break a house rule. Do not lose your temper , give an alternative of what they done wrong. For eg., if you child is jumping on the couch, tell them that you understand that they want to jump but they might get hurt and fall from the couch. Try to jump on the floor or the mat. Tell them that they would have a lot of space and it would be so much fun.

Set a routine:

Setting a routine from the beginning is very important. It instills discipline in a child. From a very young age, the child gets to know about the simple things like the meal times or the time to play.

Keep the toys / books within the child's reach:

Keep your child's books and toys within their reach so that they can easily take out the toy with which they want to play. Also,  teach them to put back the toy in it's proper place after playing. This is helpful for you as well as the child. The child learns not to keep a mess after playing and it saves you time to clean the room after the child has played.

Freedom to repeat :

This principle also gives the children the freedom to repeat an activity or a task as many times as they want. With repetition, the children learn to self correct and the technique of problem solving.

Let them communicate freely:

This principle also encourages a child to talk freely about what he or she wants to do or explain what activity they did and how did they do. Giving a child freedom to communicate, makes them feel respected and it also helps to improve their social skills.

Freedom within limits, make the children independent and confident individuals. It's never too late to start anything. If you want to give your child the freedom to think, start from today. Take small steps like setting a routine and keep things within your child's reach.

"Let us leave the life free to develop within the limits of the good, and let us observe this inner life developing. This is the whole of our mission.” – Maria Montessori

 ‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ 

 https://www.theblogchatter.com/

This blog post is also part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.