Family Games

In anticipation of the Family Game Night next week, I thought I would update families on some fun games we have discovered with our family in the past few years.  The girls are getting older, so our game playing is evolving. The concept of playing a game is something that children understand at different stages.

A few things to remember:
1.) It's important to model patience
2.) Taking turns is not inherent, it takes practice and explaination.
3.) It's important to model playing a game from beginning to end, even if your child is done--if there are at least 2 other people playing, take turns until the game is complete.

Classic game to work on taking turns.

 

Great for gross motor movement!

 

Great for a little older child, and when working on refinement of fine motor skills.

 

Fun, family game working on taking turns and memory.

 

Great for working on spacial awareness and also available in a 2 person version.

 

Great game for working on cooperation!

 

Fun for beginning to advanced readers, perhaps allow for phonetic spelling when introducing young children.

 

Great for fine motor development.

 

 

Great for working on spatial awareness, we introduced this as a game in turns rather than speed.

Submitted by: Julie Gabrielse

Family Game Night

Sensorial

The Sensorial materials are intended for young children to work with as they explore their world in relationship to themselves, via the 5 senses.  Within this area of a Montessori 3-6 classroom children visual grade materials from large to small or thick to thin; learn names of colors, color match and gradation of colors from darkest to lightest; and develop visual discrimination of geometric shapes.

The tactile materials introduce the concept of rough & smooth, fabric matching, temperature and weight.

Tasting Bottles, Sound Cylinders, and Smelling Bottles  complete the materials that deal with the sense of taste, hearing, and smell.   

           

Gross Motor in Practical Life = Concentration

The Practical Life materials in the classroom help children adapt to their cultural environment as well as offer an opportunity to do purposeful work while developing independence and concentration. 

 

 

The washing works in particular offer a chance to develop motor coordination and control along with an understanding of the importance of following a sequential order when carrying out a task.

The children in Room 3 have an array of works available to practice these skills.

 

 

 

Table Washing Sequence

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center for the Homeless Classroom

 

 

Room 4 Windfall Project – Mosaic Birdbath

 Our Mosaic Birdbath has come alive!  The children in Room 4 have thoroughly enjoyed assisting in the creation of our Windfall project.  The best parts were getting one’s hands dirty and wearing smocks!  The children primed two terra cotta pots and two saucers, and then painted them with beautiful blue paint.  We learned about mortaring, and how to spread mortar on the tiles like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Mayah’s Dad Doug Williamson is graciously grouting the bird bath and adding the finishing touches – Thank you Doug! 

Come see our class project!  It will be in the classroom during conferences, and then displayed in the Library until the Windfall Auction.  A very big thank you to all the parents who worked with the children and helped make our project such a great success!

 

 

Espanol Update

Vocabulary and phrases that you can practice with your early childhood student.

 

*El libro se usa para leer.               (The book is used for reading)

*Las tijeras se usan para cortar.  (The scissors are used for cutting)

*El lápiz se usa para escribir.         (The pencil is used for writing )