I quickly realized that the playdough shelf wasn't suiting O's needs, and I needed to revise it. I planned on her playing with her playdough at the shelf since she does her artwork at the shelf (it's the perfect height), but she was not interested in that at all! However, she only likes to play with playdough at the table, and she was carrying everything across the room to her frog table. That really didn't make any sense since there is a shelf right next to the frog table. So...I rearranged things and put the playdough and accessories on the IKEA shelf. This is much better, and she is almost constantly playing with playdough (although she's mainly interested in cutting out cookies with "duhkie cutters" instead of playing with her ice-cream maker).
Chasing Cheerios
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A Felt Snoman Activity
This felt snowman activity was also inspired by Itty Bitty Love and Starfall. I actually made the snowman before the turkey, and I really love him :) I've really enjoyed making these felt activities because they are so quick and easy. It's great to be able to start and finish something in the same night! I hope that O is going to have fun playing with him!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Another Oldie but Goodie :)
O enjoyed putting popsicle sticks in to the slot of an insulated mug today. This was another activity that we haven't done in a while, and she was excited to see it again.
What's Inside?
O has not been very interested in the activities on her Montessori shelf lately, so I decided to spice things up by adding a couple of new work and bringing out a few that she hasn't seen in a while. We first did the activity about a year ago, and it is a lot of fun! To do this activity you need a container that rolls (a small oatmeal container is perfect). We had several objects- shell, golf ball, marble, block, sponge, and we took turns putting in one object at a time while the other person closed her eyes. Then we rolled the container, and we took turns guessing what was inside. Fun and easy!
Felt Turkey Activity in Action
I introduced this activity to O this morning, and she was very excited. I let her choose the picture, and I showed her how to make the turkey match the picture. The turkey's body, face, and legs were already put together on the felt board, so the only parts we added/changed were the feathers and hats. She needed help with this, but I think she'll be more independent next time :) Check back tomorrow for another fun felt activity!
Just in case anyone noticed... yes, O does have a green ball down her shirt! Her daddy gave her the ball when we were at his office yesterday, and she does not like to let it out of her sight. So, obviously the best place to keep it is in her shirt! (it won't fit in her pocket) After we finished the activity, she said the nurse had to take the ball out. Then we played nurse/dr for a while. That's always a popular activity lately!
A Fun Felt Turkey Activity
The idea for this activity came from Itty Bitty Love's jack o'lantern activity. I didn't get around to making that one, so I decided to make a turkey. I couldn't really get a good picture of a turkey in my mind until I saw Laura's turkey, so that turkey was the inspiration. I also got ideas for the feathers and hats from Starfall. To make this activity, I just cut the shapes out from felt, took pictures of the different turkey arrangements, printed the pictures (wallet sized), laminated the pictures, and we were ready to go! I spread all of the pieces out on a bigger felt board, so O could see them easily. To make the small felt board, I just glued a piece of felt to a piece of a cardboard box. I think we are going to have LOTS of fun with this one!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Pouring Water
I found this tiny little teapot and cup at the thrift store for 50 cents and introduced O to pouring water. She LOVES it! She loves anything tiny, so this was perfect for her. She drank all the water, and I had to keep refilling the teapot :)
O's Handmade Color Book
It's finished!!! I started taking pictures for this book in April and planned on finishing for O's birthday in July. I worked on it and thought I'd finish it in August. Then I put it down and didn't pick it back up until Sunday. I'm so happy to be finished with it, and O loves it! Yay!!!!
Multi-age Grouping with an Only Child
How do you do mult-age grouping when you are using Montessori methods to homeschool an only child? With baby dolls, of course! Every time O does her puzzles, she makes sure that Tiny is nearby to watch. Yesterday, she even did hand over hand to teach Tiny how to do the puzzle.
Pipe Cleaner Work
The idea for this activity came from Montessori Mama's blog. We've done something similar using toothpicks, but this was a little more challenging. I cut the pipe cleaners long enough to stick out of the container, so she could pull them out after she finished putting them in. She really enjoyed this work!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Geometric Solids
I introduced the geometric solids to O today. I expected her to like them more than she did. I am following Gettman's instructions as to how to how to introduce them, so today we just felt them and experienced them. She was mainly interested in building a castle :)
Baby Doll Diapers
My mom and I have been working hard on O's handmade Christmas gifts :) We were glad to finish these baby doll diapers for Baby Emma. I made the small striped on by myself (except for the velcro. My mom sewed it on with the sewing machine after I tacked it). Unfortunately, I always forget about the seam allowance, so it's a tight fit. Fortunately, Baby Emma doesn't mind :) While we were working, my mom tried one of the diapers on Baby Emma, and she was concerned that it gapped a little in the back. I reminded her that we don't have to worry about leaks with these diapers :) I guess she was remembering our days (about 2 years ago) when we made diapers for O. These were MUCH easier, but we both enjoyed making the quilt much more than the diapers :)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
O's Doll Cradle...In Progress
Elliott and I have been working on O's doll cradle today. He was not at all excited about it, but he worked hard once we got started :) I drew out a pattern on a grocery bag and then traced it onto the board. Then Elliott cut everything out. It's a bit assymetrical, but hopefully O won't notice the imperfections :) I sanded it tonight, and I'm hoping to prime and paint it tomorrow.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
A Handmade Christmas
It's finished!!! Well...it's almost finished. We still haven't actually quilted it yet :) This baby doll quilt is a big part of O's handmade Christmas this year. We made it to match her "I Spy" quilt that we made for her last year. I am so happy with how it turned out, and I have to give the vast majority of the credit to my mom. Thanks, Mom! Unfortunately, O has already seen it, but I'm hoping she'll somehow forget about it before Christmas (not likely). We suggested that maybe we were making it for my niece, and O didn't like that idea at all! She said "Guh-guh make kilt for O!" We reminded her that she already had a quilt, and she said "O needs 2!" Now, I just have to convince Elliott to help me make her baby doll cradle!