4Real Forums: Only interested in 2 or 3 things?

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Nurturing the Years of Wonder
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder

Topic: Only interested in 2 or 3 things?

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violingirl
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Joined: Nov 27 2008
Location: Missouri
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Posts: 219

Posted: Dec 01 2008 at 9:04pm \| IP Logged

My oldest turned 3 in October and we're new to Montessori since August, so I'm still learning much of this.

My son is really interested in letters and words almost to the exclusion of everything else. Every day he asks me to write words for him (he tells me which ones he would like me to write) we talk about how to say them and he'll sit and copy them. My mom bought him a lower case moveable alphabet set for Christmas (she's a former montessori teacher) and I know he's going to love that.

My question is should I try to get him interested in any other areas? The other 2 thing he really loves is the giant United States floor puzzle that he has and the binomial cube. Is it okay that he has stayed with just these 3 works for several weeks now? I kind of feel like I should be trying to get him interested in other things, but that's not really following his lead, is it?

Should I remove some of the works he hasn't been choosing from the shelves and bring the out again later? Is there some kind of general guideline for this? Like if they don't touch something for 2 weeks it is put away? We don't have as much room as I would like for holding materials, so I am in a position of having to rotate materials.

Thank you so much for your help!

Mackfam
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Non Nobis

Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
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Posts: 14656

Posted: Dec 02 2008 at 8:21am \| IP Logged

Hi! Just wanted to say welcome to the forums!!! I saw your intro in Mother Nurture...but I'm really lacking in extra time these days so I didn't get to say welcome over there.

I did want to take just a minute to encourage you here though.

I think it's great that your son has such a devoted interest. He's experiencing what Maria Montessori would consider a sensitive period in his development. Just continue to provide him with the tools he needs to develop. You're doing great following his cues and his needs...just keep up the great work!!!

Thinking out loud here for ideas you could set out for him right now...

::small tray with cornflour or sand for him to trace letters with his fingers.
::write big letters in the air
::sandpaper letters or felt letters
::letter themes for the week (we focus on one letter of the week and then go hunting through the house with our letter basket and we gather objects for our letter basket that begin with our letter of the week)
::children love to paint - paint your letter on giant paper
::Make an alphabet mini book - you can purchase inset paper (small squares of pre-cut paper) or cut your own, but my children love making mini-books with the inset paper. You can have him work on one letter a week, set him up with some alphabet themed stickers, or set out alphabet stamps (kids love to stamp). My favorite source for inset paper

One of the beautiful things about a Montessori classroom is that they can provide access to a spectrum of materials all at once....one of the challenges of a homeschool setting is that we don't have that luxury. But, I really haven't found my kids stymied by that. They know what is in the Montessori closet and will sometimes ask for something to come out. I rotate as well, and if you feel an activity isn't being worked with I think it's fine to rotate it off the shelf and put in its place something new he might enjoy working with more. I think you're doing so well observing him and paying attention to his needs - just keep doing that and keep that in mind as you provide activities. Perhaps if he enjoys puzzles (like the US map) set out a few more of those. My kids always, always love practical life work - pouring, scooping, sorting, wiping, polishing, tweezing - try a couple of trays like that with items from around the house.

I really need to get my crew moving this morning, but I wanted to recommend a wonderful book for you to check out if you don't already have it - Mommy, Teach Me.

This thread has a little bit of info for getting started with Montessori (there are others, but I don't want to overwhelm) and this thread has a great review of Mommy, Teach Me!

Do come back with your questions and take a look through some of the past conversations here (the little search button in the top right corner) because there are some really great insights on the boards by some wonderful and experienced ladies! Welcome again!

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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19

, ds 16

, ds 11

, dd 8

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Wildflowers and Marbles

violingirl
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Joined: Nov 27 2008
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 219

Posted: Dec 02 2008 at 10:52am \| IP Logged

Thank you so much for taking time to advise me Jennifer!

Thank you for the recommendation of Mommy Teach Me I'm always looking for more resources! I've read The Absorbent Mind and a few others. Most recently I've been studying David Gettman's book and also Montessori from the Start for my younger one who will be 17 months this week. After reading that one I feel like I should have started from the very beginning! But we do the best we know how to do at the time, right?

Thank you again so much for your suggestions!

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