The pincer grip (the ability to make use the thumb and the pointer finger to grasp an object) is an important fine motor skill to develop. Activities that strengthen the pincer grip prepare a child to hold a pencil (muscle development and control , coordination, purposeful movement). Dr. Montessori believed that excercising these muscles would [...]
Maria Montessori believed that nothing comes into the mind except through the senses. During the years between three and six, as children develop their senses, their attention is directed toward the environment. The purpose of the Sensorial activities is to help the child in his efforts to sort out the many varied impressions given by [...]
From birth, children instinctively reach out to explore and learn about the world around them. They love to touch, to taste; they turn inquisitively toward new sounds, smile at familiar voices; they reach for bright colors, explore interesting shapes. Learning is a process that involves all of the senses, especially touch, and the senses feed [...]
Squishing, rolling, sculpting, molding . . . young children love to play with play-do. Add some props from around the home and playdough play becomes a powerful way to support your child’s learning. This simple preschool staple lets children use their imaginations and strengthen the small muscles in their fingers—the same muscles they will one [...]
For many, the Montessori philosophy is restricted to just the classroom. Once the child leaves the school space their lives are often very different than the prepared environment offered in a Montessori setting. However a recent article written by David Varnes, goes to great lengths to educate parents how a Montessori environment on the sports [...]
Finding foods that are both healthy and satisfying to your little is often a task that is rife with challenges. But whether you are adding veggie juice to your child's smoothies or buying veggie chips instead of potato chips, its the little things that count. In a recent HuffPo article by Laura Fuentes of Momables [...]
Dr. Hughes, of Good at Doing Things gives a profound lecture on how Montessori education effects the brain. The video starts at about 10:50 Good at Doing Things: Montessori Education and Higher Order Cognitive Functions from Steve Hughes on Vimeo.
Balancing Tech, Play and Future Happiness: Is that iPad really a good idea for your toddler? If you have to ask any number of today’s parents about children and technology, you would probably find a lot of varied opinions out there. Some would say that young children are not ready to experience and handle electronic [...]
Should my kid be tested for ADHD? The question of whether to have your child tested or not is one that often concerns parents, because they fear that there is something “wrong” with their child. ADHD is often seen as the cause of many problems in young children. Parents dread hearing the letters coming out [...]
