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happymama
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| Posted: Jan 18 2010 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
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There are _many_ other threads discussing Montessori materials. I was wondering if we could put into one thread a simple list of specific materials that you have made yourself, followed by your opinion on if it was worth your time. (I am most interested in what WAS worth it!)
I have started teaching a class in our community for moms, describing how to use Montessori at home, and I bring along many of my materials. (I have a lot.) One basic concept to get across is that children are instinctively attracted to beautiful, natural, precise, functional materials. It is my personal opinion that MOST of the materials I have made myself turned out to be very poor substitutes for what I could purchase from, say, Alison's, and my time is money, too... Honestly, if I could go back and do it again, I would have purchased a classroom set years ago.
I am wondering what other moms think. I don't want to encourage moms to go spend endless hours trying to replicate the materials if it isn't worth it. **I also want to EXCLUDE from this discussion materials that are made for Good Shepherd Catechesis.
** Of all the math bead materials I own, I made about 1/4, and those turned out very well. I made 10-beads and 100 squares with wire from Walmart. They have never broken, and basically look the same as what I could purchase.
** Sensorial Fabric squares: for matching and touching. I have a large variety of types of fabric materials and scraps at home, and cut 2 each of 2 dozen. Finding a beautiful storage/display container is the challenge on this one.
** 3-part card holders - I made my own, and they have worked perfectly, but they were time consuming. I'm not a great seamstress. But I couldn't find any to purchase, either.
I have made many, many other things myself. And many of those have been replaced by purchases from Alison's. :)
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SusanMc
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Well I'm just beginning our Montessori homeschooling journey when it comes to working with materials. I should say that we are much more Montessori-inspired a la Elizabeth Hainstock rather than straight up fully-trained Montessori.
What I've made: Color Boxes 1 and 2, fabric squares, rough and smooth boards, jars and bottles box, color beads, and some three part cards just for fun.
I've also got some supplies to make sound and scent bottles, dressing frames, etc. I've been going back and forth on if it is worth it just to buy these but I hate the expense.
We have purchased used sandpaper letters, knobbed cylinders, unknobbed cylinders, metal insets, and geometric shapes.
I'd still like to purchase a moveable alphabet and some sandpaper numbers or numbers on a board.
I find that having a nice container really has helped make it have that special feel to the homemade items. I save all wooden boxes from Melissa and Doug toys and any other little wooden card boxes etc. that I can find. I also find that putting a nice oil and wax finish on wooden materials really seems to make a huge difference with respect to beauty.
One thing about the items I made, I find that I feel way more connected to my son's learning process. In handling and making these materials over the extended period of time it takes to make them, I feel like I recapture some of the wonder of the child experiencing them for the first time. The time it took to make them also reinforced to me that this work was important and worthy of my time. Oh, and it was easy to spend time and money on craft supplies when it was for "education." So, I guess I'm really glad that I wasn't able to buy it all at first.
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Marcia
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I made my sand paper letters and moveable alphabet. They are just paper. But heavy duty card stock. Holding up just fine.
I made my own globes. Bought cheap ones from walmart and re-painted. I did have one base break, but if you cut a small round from a paper towel holder the globe (ball) can rest nicely in the ring.
I made my own phonetic blends with white out on green card stock and loads of paper hands on materials. I have recently learned how to make nice card stock three part card holders I'm very happy with them. I used to make more things with fabric, but then I was more protective of it.
I did try to make my own golden bead material, but I found that the 1000 boxes didn't hold up...so now I have the purchased wooden block kind for the 100 and 1000.
I've been very a happy with the metal insets. I wish I would have bought them with the first child. (I bought them with baby #3).
my husband made me the red rods. They aren't perfectly square, but the kids don't seem to notice. he used blood wood so that I didn't have to stain them.
My dad made me the brown stairs. They are wonderful. I would purchase these if you aren't a wood worker.
I purchased the pink tower after the paper one I had broke. It was worth it. I got it through montessori outlet and the corners do chip, but the kids don't seem to mind.
I bought the stamp game. I probably could have made this one.
All the simple sensorial things I have made. Spooning and pouring water and sink or float, magnetic and non magnetic, opening and closing set.. Those were things I could find around the house to put together. I've really liked the physics book for young kids. It gives me ideas to use with the kids.
That's all I can think of for now.
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Marcia
Mom to six and wife to one
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I wonder why
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happymama
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| Posted: Jan 18 2010 at 9:41pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Susan & Marcia. (I know it's time consuming to type this type of post out. If anyone else wants to add something, you can just pick one or two things that stick out if you want.)
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dolorsofmary
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I'm confused. I find that the montessori material monster to be too large to tackle. I like to do things for nothing like I got an old small aluminum tray and got 2 old plastic cups and cut up a sponge into 3 parts and my 4.5 yr old practiced pouring water from one cup to another and then used the sponges to dab up any messes. I am determined only to spend money on things that my son will be actually interested in long term. I am big on budget. Any suggestions? I'm clueless on where to start and how you made this and that and what it looks like and what it is used for Can someone tell me where to start. I know very little about montessori. I have a friend who lives states away who teaches montessori and told me about it. I did read the preschool montessori book that is now out of print and printed out many pages. It was about 1 yr ago and my son was not interested in the math stuff at the time. I've also read better late than early and it states espeically with boys one should not start too early with close work. children need to deal with far seated activities such as runnign and playing outside. But it is winter and i live in NJ so we spend much of our days presently inside espeicaly since my son had a cold. I think a blog might tell me more aobut montessori and how to tame the material monster. I really don'tknow where to start. There are so many books etc. and when I go to websites they assume you want classroom stuff but I homeschool so its hard. I did talk to Catechesis of the good shepherd who referred me to a lady who teaches in our area. She was really pushing me to take a $400.00 class to become a montessori school teadcher but Im a homeschooler. I'm so confused really. Help please
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Mackfam
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dolorsofmary wrote:
| I'm confused. I find that the montessori material monster to be too large to tackle. I like to do things for nothing like I got an old small aluminum tray and got 2 old plastic cups and cut up a sponge into 3 parts and my 4.5 yr old practiced pouring water from one cup to another and then used the sponges to dab up any messes. I am determined only to spend money on things that my son will be actually interested in long term. I am big on budget. Any suggestions? I'm clueless on where to start and how you made this and that and what it looks like and what it is used for Can someone tell me where to start. I know very little about montessori. I have a friend who lives states away who teaches montessori and told me about it. I did read the preschool montessori book that is now out of print and printed out many pages. It was about 1 yr ago and my son was not interested in the math stuff at the time. I've also read better late than early and it states espeically with boys one should not start too early with close work. children need to deal with far seated activities such as runnign and playing outside. But it is winter and i live in NJ so we spend much of our days presently inside espeicaly since my son had a cold. I think a blog might tell me more aobut montessori and how to tame the material monster. I really don'tknow where to start. There are so many books etc. and when I go to websites they assume you want classroom stuff but I homeschool so its hard. I did talk to Catechesis of the good shepherd who referred me to a lady who teaches in our area. She was really pushing me to take a $400.00 class to become a montessori school teadcher but Im a homeschooler. I'm so confused really. Help please |
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First, welcome to the boards! I'm so glad you asked this question as it is a very good one. Montessori materials can be very expensive to purchase or time consuming to make. It is a challenge!
My first piece of advice is to keep doing what you are doing. The most attractive and frequently used materials I offer are those I find in thrift stores or around the house that comprise the Practical Life Exercises.
** This site has some great information on these. Their sidebar has some easy presentations that could inspire a few presentations.
** One of my FAVORITE sites is Montessori World. I linked you to their practical life page.
In discerning what other materials you might like to offer - whether hand made or purchased - I've found Elizabeth Hainstock's book, Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Preschool Years to be very valuable to me!!! It's a book I refer to frequently and it has earned its place on my shelves! I think used copies are pretty inexpensive, but I'm sure your library might also have a copy.
I think it's best when considering Montessori materials in the home to do a little at a time. Consider very critically before any purchase of another material. Some materials and their thoughtful design are important as they are, others I've come to believe can easily be substituted with other, less expensive *not strictly Montessori* materials. Each family would be able to determine that best in light of their budget and time constraints for hunting or making their own.
Montessori materials can be a blessing, and the Montessori philosophy and some of the materials have been a REAL blessing in my home with one of my sons in particular, but I think they become a monster if they tempt you to live outside your means - whether that is your time spent in making something or the money spent in purchasing.
I hope this helps dolorsofmary! If you have more questions just keep asking! 
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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SeaStar
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Our own member Jody has this book: Montessori on a Shoestring that has many wonderful ideas about making your own materials.
If you scroll down and click on the pink car, you can see some examples in her book.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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violingirl
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Mackfam wrote:
I think it's best when considering Montessori materials in the home to do a little at a time. Consider very critically before any purchase of another material. Some materials and their thoughtful design are important as they are, others I've come to believe can easily be substituted with other, less expensive *not strictly Montessori* materials. Each family would be able to determine that best in light of their budget and time constraints for hunting or making their own.
Montessori materials can be a blessing, and the Montessori philosophy and some of the materials have been a REAL blessing in my home with one of my sons in particular, but I think they become a monster if they tempt you to live outside your means - whether that is your time spent in making something or the money spent in purchasing. |
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I agree with you, Jennifer. There are certain items that have design specifics that are important to the materials and activities, but some are just as easily made or substituted with other materials.
dolorsofmary> your pouring activity is like ours. I found two tiny little pitchers at the thrift store awhile ago and bought them for a dollar a piece to pour with. Before that my son was pouring with 2 glass measuring cups that we happened to have in the kitchen. We scoop with real measuring cups and spoons because that is what I have on hand.
I think it was Kim who wrote a blog post ages ago that stuck with me- she wrote about how when she first started with Montessori you could read about all the philosophy, but you couldn't buy many materials. Those words have stayed with me as I work on things for my boys- it is about the concept that is taught, not always about having the exact material. There definitely are certain things that matter in their design (I for one won't attempt to make my own binomial cube, for example) but almost all of the practical life materials are just things around our home that I've set up with purpose for my kids to use. We aren't able to purchase the beads for math yet, but we're having a great time rolling a die and writing the number that comes up. We use little novelty erasers I've picked up at the dollar store to represent numbers and play adding and subtracting games. DS1 really likes using a chalk board and a white erase board for writing shapes, letters and numbers, because they lend a different texture to the writing. None of those are technically Montessori things, but I present them in the same way as more traditional Montessori work, and they are teaching the same concepts, but within my limited budget.
And I'll stop before I end up writing a book.  I'm just too wordy for my own good- especially when it comes to education stuff!
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Erin
DS (2005) DS (2007) DD (2012)
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dolorsofmary
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What is the easiest and most effective way to make sandpaper letters? And I guess I should stick with lower case only right now? Right? My son is 4.5 years old and we are just starting out with the language arts and I've been reading to him quite a bit since he was born. I saw someone made a globe from a walmart globe? I'm confused. How do you do that? Thanks!
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SusanMc
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I've got purchased sandpaper letters but I have read about two rather good methods for making them.
First is Elizabeth Hainstock's book (which you really should check out from the library if you can as it has step-by-step instructions on how to make many materials.) You purchase emory or sandpaper (low grit which can be found at the hardware store in large sheets) and a firm background (matboard for frameing or foam core from the craft store). There are templates for the letters in Hainstock's book or you can find a font on your computer that is similar. You trace the letters in reverse on the back of the emory paper so the letter is right side up on the sandpaper part. Cut them out and then just afix the sandpaper letter to the background piece.
The other method is simpler--I saw it on a blog which I can't find now. Go to the scrapbooking part of the craft store and look for "chipboard letters." Some of these have a texture like glitter. Paste these onto a background. This can be a little hard because the "a" and a few other letters may be more typographic and less like human print. But you can't beat the ease.
Hope this helps.
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Meredith
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dolorsofmary wrote:
| What is the easiest and most effective way to make sandpaper letters? And I guess I should stick with lower case only right now? Right? My son is 4.5 years old and we are just starting out with the language arts... |
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Just wanted to pop in here and mention that before you go make the entire alphabet out of sandpaper, you might want to test your son's sensitivity to it first. You can easily make the letters (or numbers) out of felt or another less abrasive material if he is adverse to the sandpaper. Some kids just really don't like it and won't go near the material and then you've spent all that time on something that sits on the shelf (I'm just sayin  )
Here's a few make your own ideas in case you haven't seen them!
Many blessings!
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Meredith
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Marcia
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for my land and water globe I just repainted all the water blue and all the land yellow with fine grit sand added in. it works great! Then cover with a light shelac spray.
For the continents you just paint all the water blue and then the continent each a different color. Again coat to protect for chips.
I used those cheap acrylic paints for hobbies.
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Marcia
Mom to six and wife to one
Homeschooling 10th, 7th, 5th, 2nd, PreK and a toddler in tow.
I wonder why
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JennyM
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dolorsofmary wrote:
| I really don'tknow where to start. There are so many books etc. and when I go to websites they assume you want classroom stuff but I homeschool so its hard. |
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Dolorsofmary- welcome! I'm very new around here too, and very new to the Montessori philosophy, but I have found so much wisdom and help from the other wonderful mothers! Others have already recommended some wonderful resources. As another newbie to Montessori, I definitely recommend them as well when it comes to guidance on making your own materials, how to do so, and ideas for Montessori based activities- all budget friendly too! Those books, again, are Hainstock's Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Preschool Years and Jody Erickson's Montessori on a Shoestring. While I've read other books on the principles of a Montessori education, these books help me to "see" what that can look like in my own home on a budget.
Mackfam wrote:
Some materials and their thoughtful design are important as they are, others I've come to believe can easily be substituted with other, less expensive *not strictly Montessori* materials. Each family would be able to determine that best in light of their budget and time constraints for hunting or making their own.
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I love this thought, and I was so happy to read it coming from a mom who has used these materials successfully in your own home! Thank you! In our circumstances we just cannot afford to buy many of these Montessori activities. With Christmas and my daughter's recent birthday I asked for gifts that I can see us using in the coming months as my daughter is ready for them- all Montessori inspired activities, but at a Melissa and Doug style and price . Now, she's only just two so she doesn't need any of the more "complicated" Montessori things yet. But, I carefully picked out these simple Melissa and Doug activities based on what I've read from Montessori on typical developmental stages at my daughter's age. I think they will do just fine to help her develop particular skills in the coming year. And I can still present them in a Montessori fashion. I'm really excited about them and to introduce them to her in time!
*So, to reply also to happymama,* I think that might be a nice, reassuring thought to share with other mothers when it comes to bringing Montessori into the home. Everything doesn't have to be purchased from a Montessori site! That has helped me as a newbie to all of this. It can be overwhelming to think of all the activities and materials, not to mention the cost! But, all the materials don't have to be strictly authentic Montessori products. Unless you want to do that and can afford it! But, it seems we can borrow from Montessori quite effectively with some good material substitutes if we want to try it out or don't want to/can't afford to do it all. It just might take learning about the purpose of Montessori activities and finding substitutes in other products that can help your child encounter the same concept.
Marcia wrote:
| I made my own globes. Bought cheap ones from walmart and re-painted. |
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I LOVE this idea, Marcia, and will try to remember to use it in the future! Thanks for the directions on how you made yours!
I also made my own sandpaper letters and enjoyed it. I followed, more or less, Hainstock's directions. While they haven't been used yet- my daughter's not ready!- I think with careful handling they should hold up just fine.
Okay, enough from me for now!
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JennyM
Wife to wonderful husband, mama to Anne (12/07), and two precious little ones with God
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happymama
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Here's what I'm thinking.
Americans will spend $200,000 on a house, $15,000 on a car (or two or three) and who knows how many thousands of dollars on plastic toys... Thousands of dollars on other educational experiences & travel...
Yet, for $3700 you can get $4700 worth of materials from Alisons - which I am NOT affiliated with in ANY way, this is just an example - enough to furnish an entire 3-6+ classroom, and give your children an educational foundation which will benefit them for the rest of their lives. With storage containers. Materials sturdy enough to last through a dozen of your own children, and then you can sell them or give them away.
I have spent the past 5 years reading everything I could about Montessori, seeing it work wonders in my oldest child, loving it more each year, but convinced that I should do it on a shoe-string budget. I can't tell you the hours I spent trying to duplicate things. Some worked, many didn't. You can spend so many waking hours planning what you want to make and obtaining all the materials.
I'm fully aware that many families can't afford a large payment up front, and many moms love making their own, so I guess I'm not really speaking to that crowd. I'm just wondering if there isn't a hidden cost to trying to reinvent the wheel so-to-speak. Maybe some "montessori newbies" would want to hear the angle I'm contemplating out loud here...
And I've hesitated posting this topic at all, because "Montessori newbies" also need to know that Montessori is more about environment & method than it is about materials. You can incorporate Montessori ideas without ANY montessori materials - purchased or home made. On the other hand, if you are going to use her materials, then you need to know when and how and why - you need to have an album of some sort.
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lapazfarm
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I am of two minds on this.
I am not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, and I started out my Montessori journey by making as much as I could. These things were marginally successful. The most success was in the practical life area, which really lends itself to home-made. Also some sensorial stuff.My advice is to go ahead and try making these materials if you can.
BUT. I have to say that I did end up buying a good deal of materials from Alisons and Montessori Outlet and these things have been worth their weight in gold. These are things that I knew I could never duplicate due to their complexity and beauty. Things like the knobbed cylinders, puzzle maps, and bead materials. My advice is to buy these materials.These are the materials which will be used time and time again through many years of your child's development. (I can see using the bead materials through 6th grade at least!)So you want materials that will be beautiful enough to attract the eye of the 3 year old, yet last long enough that the 10 year old can use them as well.
PLUS there is re-sale value to consider. I just sold a bunch of my materials we have out-grown and though I got only half of what I paid for them, if they had been home-made I would have gotten nothing.
FINALLY,happymama, above, is absolutely correct. So many moms start off with Montessori concentrating on the materials without truly understanding the philosophy behind them. The materials are not what Montessori is about. True, they are iconic, but they are merely an extension of a method, which in itself is an extension of a philosophy of education which is the true genius behind it all.
My advice is to read, read, read. Learn the WHY of Montessori first, before you ever pick up a brown stair or a pink tower. Read books about the Montessori method, read about Maria Montessori's life and work, and most especailly read the wrtings of the woman herself.Understand the philosophy first. THEN do some reading on how it is implemented. Watch online videos of presentations. Look at albums (buy or get free online). Get familiar with the albums. Understand why a material is presented a certain way. Practice presenting with some simple home-made practical life materials.
Next step: observe your child. Determine which sensitive period he is in. Note which kinds of activities put him in that "zone" where his entire being is focused on his work. Determine which materials will best fill the need he is communicating. And then, last but not least, get yourself some materials and go for it.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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SeaStar
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This whole discussion brings up a funny memory for me- I'm sure other Montessori moms can identify.
I also tried to make a lot of my own materials at first. I was so enthusiastic and anxious to start making things that I made a very slip shod spindle box with cardboard and straws. Not only was it hideous looking, but in my rush to get it done, I forgot to have a "zero" slot  
Then I started to buy materials instead. Allison's also sells a "table top" set of materials in a case. It has many products, only in smaller, or table top version. If you have limited space or budget, or just like cool things, this is a neat set. I almost bought, and, looking back, I think it would have worked just fine for us.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: montessori materials : buy or make?
