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mary theresa
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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Where would you all suggest looking to buy child-sized chairs and table? I have done some looking at second-hand stores and Target with not much luck. I would like to get something study and well-made to last that could be used for children of different ages. My daughter is 15 mos now, and though I don't want to get something way too big for her now, I also hope that she could use is for a number of years. So, I guess a medium child sized set?
A couple of the montessori material websites have furniture -- has anyone ordered from any of them and if so, how is the quality?
I don't have too much money to spend . . . so any lower price suggestions are very welcome. 
A second question I have is -- what practical life work might be doable for her. I have introduced window washing, but she just wants to spray everywhere but the window. I've also tried watering plants, but I don't have a small enough can for her to manage on her own -- the smallest I could find was still heavy with water in it. I don't know whether pouring or spooning would work -- she still puts little things in her mouth. Food prep would be pointless, she'd eat everything whole. Sweeping she doesn't seem to get. Wiping tables she just wants to suck the sponge. Any other suggestions of things to try?
I don't know. I think she's ready for prct. life -- she tries to copy so much of what I do and she is not interested in mindless, do-nothing toys, but wants real things. She is interested in clipping buckles -- though she ccan't really -- and in emptying things and refilling them. Athought is opening and closing things? What sort of containers would you get for that that don't involve screwing lids or something.
Sorry these questions are so vague and long-winded! I feel a bit lost. I want to get her interested in something with meaning, she is so bored with the stuff I have for her now -- stacking rings, coin transfer in bowls -- and she can't figure out the knobbed puzzle . . . She seems to be very short-tempered: if it won't do what she wants it to in 5 sec. flat she screeches and/or ditches it. 
Thanks for any suggestions!
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Mary Theresa
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 1:54pm | IP Logged
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My son and I JUST watched some home movies last night - particularly the one where he had already figured out how to buckle himself in at around 15 months.
Other ideas that I saw on the video (I always forget what he's done when):
I was reminded of his love for matching things. He would take all of our coasters and other round flat things - and set tall things on them: vases, Mary and saint statues, my flashlight, anything tall that stands up. And I literally have him on tape for 2 1/2 hours (I didn't even record the whole thing!) mixing and matching all the pots and pans and lids (we have a very electic collection with pots without lids and lids with pots) - they slowly moved through the house...
He has always "helped" wash dishes (he's actually quite good at it now).
He loved his one piece puzzles as well (we have Melissa and Doug set of 3 puzzles, with 3 pieces each).
HTH.
:)
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Jordan
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 2:31pm | IP Logged
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I purchased a square table and infant chair from Michael Olaf when my daughter was a baby. It was the perfect size for her then and through toddlerhood and it has been used quite a bit. The quality is wonderful and the table itself is lovely. Since then, I have ordered longer legs from Michael Olaf so my daughter can use the same table as a four year-old. The little infant chair now sits by the front door as a place for the kids to sit while putting on and taking off shoes. I need to order a bigger chair to use with our table now that it has longer legs.
I also have a table with two chairs that came from Ikea that is wood and was very inexpensive. Actually, that one would be a little too big for a 15 month-old but for the money, it's very nice. I've also heard nice things about Kidcraft furniture. www.gummylump.com has a nice selection of Kidcraft furniture.
I don't know if that helped at all. You probably already know this, but Michael Olaf is a great resource for doing some Montessori in the home and they have a whole catalog for birth-3 years.
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Jordan
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AndreaG
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 7:35pm | IP Logged
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A couple books I like for toddler activities which maybe you could get from the library:
Montessori from the Start - Paula Polk Lillard
Awakening Your Toddler's Love of Learning - Jan Katzen-Luchenta
Slow and Steady Get Me Ready - June Oberlander
I was also able to interlibrary loan some videos called Montessori in Your Home by Jacqueline Fogg- there was one for toddlers.
Also try the NAMC toddler album table of contents for ideas- sorry don't have time to link, got to put my kids to bed.
If I get a chance I can try to list specific activities.
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 7:50pm | IP Logged
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mary theresa wrote:
A second question I have is -- what practical life work might be doable for her. I have introduced window washing, but she just wants to spray everywhere but the window. I've also tried watering plants, but I don't have a small enough can for her to manage on her own -- the smallest I could find was still heavy with water in it. I don't know whether pouring or spooning would work -- she still puts little things in her mouth. Food prep would be pointless, she'd eat everything whole. Sweeping she doesn't seem to get. Wiping tables she just wants to suck the sponge. Any other suggestions of things to try? |
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Thanks for asking here Mary Theresa, your little girl sounds like a perfect angel and toddler in bloom!! I really liked the way this site lays out their preliminary work. I would certainly start slow as she is still so little, and each new thing she learns, she will want to practice over and over again, that's part of the progression and mastery in their work!!
Let us know if there's more you need! We have 8 Pages of Montessori here in the forum, so happy reading 
Blessings!
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Meredith
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
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I looked long and hard about this time last year for a nice table and chairs for my dc. So many that I saw in catalogs were not really big enough for two kids to spread out on, and the one I really liked at Pottery Barn Kids was very pricey. I finally bought one at a consignment store that has worked well for us. But I do garage sale and thrift stores, and I almost never see nice kid's tables and chairs that are anything more than tiny little sets.
Anyway, I finally asked at the library where they get theirs, and they sent me home with a gigantic catalog for Demco. Check out the furniture section- maybe something in the kids area would work for you. Click here
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ann@home
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Do you have an IKEA store near you? They have nice quality child size wooden tables, chairs, and desks in different shapes, sizes, and the prices are great. I got a nice wooden 4 legged table and 2 chairs for $30 I think-it's unpainted but that was fine with me.
They also sell the tables and chairs separately.
They have great wooden stools as well.
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Mackfam
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I bought my table at Schooloutfitters many years ago. I bought it because I could buy toddler legs, then primary legs and adjust as the kids grew. And that's just what I did. The table has been a key piece in our learning room. I wanted something more Montessori even then, but there was absolutely nothing in my price range that was a pretty blonde wood. Now, however, there seems to be much more available at pretty good prices. Like today I was noticing these cute little tables at Montessori Outlet. The quality is outstanding!
Your next question was about what activities your precious sweetie could be doing at 15 months. You're right, at a young age, they don't have a really long attention span. I might suggest a few pieces from Alison's Infant and Toddler section. Also, Montessori Outlet had a neat section in their infant and toddler section. You've got lots of great time to start reading, and begin collecting some pieces for the kids as they grow.
Have fun shopping.
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Donna Marie
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My father-in-law cut down the legs of a small wooden kitchen table that was in his mother's house for the kids. It is very sturdy and has held up great... much better than some of the kid tables we have had over the years. One such table was a gift to us from our church as they had a donation of kid tables they couldn't use...it lasted 2 days!  ...particle board...it just wouldn't hold!
When my dd was about 15 mos, I took an oatmeal container and she fed colored pencils through a little X that I slit into the center of the top...she would then open it herself, dump it out, and start alll over again....kept her busy for a long while.
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc
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Celeste
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Some additional ideas: pouring water in the bathtub for as long as she wants. Using a carpet sweeper (esp. while you vacuum). Unloading the dishwasher with you--if you store your dishes low enough, she can help put them away one at a time. When you wipe up a spill, get a rag for her and let her work with you.
In other words, find a way for her to work alongside you, since she seems to be longing to do what you do.
Move in SUPER SLOW MOTION. When you present an activity, the moment she puts her hands on it, your presentation is over. Let her work. Don't fret if she does it wrong, as long as she's concentrating. (And if she's concentrating, stay out of her way, unless she's going to hurt herself or damage something you really really care about.  )
Oh, another idea: Give her things to put in a container on the other side of the room. That movement back and forth across the room, so inefficient to us, is perfect for her.
Celeste
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Meredith
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Celeste, I LOVE your ideas!! Sometimes we get caught up in the formality of Montessori, and we forget (or at least I DO )just how much they want to be doing these simple everyday household/homey activites!! I'm afraid if I put my ds 2 in the bathtub to do pouring I'll never get him back out again Hmm...there might be some benefit to that !!
One thing my little guy really likes is doing a beanie toss into a laundry basket, tons of fun and lots of back and forth here too!!
Thanks for the reminders and Blessings!
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Meredith
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AndreaG
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Just a thought I had about toddlers and puzzles- mine were always frustrated by them until I discovered the type that are just circles- Alison's even has some that are just one circle with a knob on it for the toddler to place in a frame. I didn't think about it but circles are easiest b/c you don't have to turn them! I love how montessori methods help me to understand the how my kids think and experience the world at their developmental levels.
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mary theresa
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Thanks for great ideas, everyone! This forum is so great. I read all your threads about materials and methods, and I get SO excited for when my little one is old enough to do all this. I'm already excited that she is able to start practical life a bit.  I think she's getting the hang of watering flowers -- sort of. My flowers are getting rather smooshed and de-flowered actually. Also, window washing is going better too. Isn't is amazing how much the little ones NEED and WANT so much to do real things? I already don't have many toys for her, but this great desire to do the real stuff makes me realize I just need to put all my little random toys away till the next baby is at the grasping stage.
Jordan,
I love the Michael Olaf catalog! But they seem really expensive compared to other places. I bought something from there that I (later ) found elsewhere for 2/3 of the price. Do you know who the manufacturer is for your table? Maybe I can get it cheaper straight from them?
Mackfam,
Thanks for the Mont. Outlet link. I really like their tables. I think I'm leaning towards them . . . now if only my husband would go for them . . . he SO doesn't see the point of Montessori.
Celeste,
Thanks for the reminders about being slow and patient. My area of Montessori presentation knowledge is in the 3-6 age group, and toddlers require more simplicity and patience for sure.
Andrea,
I think I'm gonna look for circle knobbed puzzles. She just can't figure out how to get the more complex one back together.
Thanks for all the great ideas and inspiration that I am getting here on Montessori!
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Mary Theresa
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Eleanor
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We have two cube chairs from Jonti-Craft, and they're wonderfully versatile. They're the perfect size for young toddlers to sit in, and you can also turn them on end to make a small table or an older child/adult stool.
About working with toddlers: I used to be on the InfantMontessori Yahoo group, but I've realized that I don't have the time or patience to do much intensive "work" with children of that age. From about 10 to 20 months, I just tend to focus on the everyday stuff (washing hands, eating with a fork & spoon, helping tidy up, etc.), to keep them in "Montessori maintenance mode."  Of course, they can learn to do lots of other things, but we have to decide where we're going to allocate our family's resources.
One thing I've come to understand about Montessori is that buying or making the materials -- while quite challenging in itself -- is a piece of cake compared to actually applying the philosophy with real live children, day in and day out. This is true at all ages, but it really becomes crystal clear with toddlers. I was actually just talking to my husband about this, and we agreed that we now understand why Montessori daycare costs so much. In our area, the full-day infant/toddler program is $15,000 a year!
I've been reading the Mommybahn blog with great interest (she's an AMI trained infant/toddler guide, who's trying to use the principles with her own baby)... and I have to admit, I let out a little cheer when she ditched the weaning table in favor of a Kinderzeat.
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Mackfam
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You're right about walking the walk Eleanor. Toddlers have very short attention spans, and that's good, because my patience reserves are often even shorter!
Our hard and fast rules here in real-lifesville...
You must put away what you take out.
You may not abuse any of the gifts God has given us to use.
If my little guy is really mis-using (not abusing, just not using correctly) a material/manipulative - I'm just going to put it away for a while.
Gotta keep it simple in my house or sanity is the first thing to go!  I love being able to provide beautiful materials to light up the imagination of my 2yo, but at this point in his development he needs the security of boundaries with gentle discipline, lots of snuggle time, laptime with favorite stories, and some time to just free-play with brother and sister. Having Montessori materials available to him is part of his development, but not all!
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mary theresa
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I'm so not a purist. I read Montessori from the Start and I decided that I just couldn't do ALL that and certainly any one hoping to have lots of kids would have a hard time! I mean, this is my first one and I couldn't quite do all that stuff. No child bed. No weaning table. I used a pacifier and she uses bottles when we're out. I used a jumpy seat on occasion when I had to take a shower. So far I have pretty much kept clear of sippy cups, playpens, exersaucers, etc. And most of her toys are not plastic and her books are about real things. And I am excited about doing "work" with her, but when my second comes . . . ?? How can I focus on precise, specific lessons as well? We'll see, I guess.
Jennifer, I like your simplified rules. It's like you have to choose the things that you see as the most fundamental and important to you and the way you want your kids to be raised and stick with them. The other things may or may not work for you. I'm working on gaining more and more of an understanding of Montessori's philosophy of the child and how she works and that will at least allow me to be "montessori-ish" in the way I approach my daughter even if she can't use the toilet on her own by 18 mos, or complete X amount of toddler works by age two. KWIM?
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Mary Theresa
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Eleanor
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Oops, the Mommybahn link was broken... I just fixed it.
Her latest post is about setting up a hand-washing station. It's inspired me to do this in the back yard, so the children can wash up after playing. We tried having one in the kitchen a while back, but it didn't work out. (There's not enough space, and water on the vinyl floor is a real hazard.)
It will be interesting to see how things develop in her household after their second child is born this fall!
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mary theresa
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Eleanor - Thanks for the link to the Mommybahn blog. Very interesting! And her toddler seems to be only 2 or so months older than mine.
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Mary Theresa
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Toddler montessori questions
