my world, my true

At 33 months, Knox knows about getting comfortable.

Knox (struggling to take his PJ pants off before bedtime): Ugh! I can’t get these off!

Me: Woah woah woah…why are you taking your pants off?

Knox: Because they are too comfy.

This is the new little learning corner that I mentioned in an earlier post. We are trying out a little more structure when it comes to “school time” for Knox. He will be 3 in June and most of his peers are in a structured preschool program (or will be soon). We have decided that, instead of enrolling him in a preschool-type program, I will continue to guide his learning at home at least until Kindergarten. Knox has  been exhibiting a need and a desire for just a little more structure, so I’m trying out a few new things. 

To the left of the table is a basket of “busy bags.” There are a million and one ideas (and names) for these little activity bags. Here are a few that are sitting in his basket right now. 

1. Color Sorting Box

I pinned this idea a while ago from this website and just adapted it a little bit. I just took a box from this stamp kit (which we already had) and painted the inside. I found some pom poms and pegs of the same colors and put them all together in a large busy bag. He knew just what to do. I have since added the tongs to add a challenge to it since the sorting part is pretty easy for him.

2. Color Progression Star

I have just begun to introduce color progression to Knox. This activity is my version of the Montessori Color Tablets - part of the sensorial materials used in Montessori classrooms. I made another, different type of set for matching the first 3 colors when Knox was younger and posted about it here. I felt like these were a good next step for him. I made a red and blue version just like this yellow one and they have proven to be a challenge, but a fun one, for him (both the fine motor pinching and the matching aspect). I’ve seen this clothespin idea in a few other places (including here), but used what he had on hand to make it our own.

3. Cutting Strips 
With long strips of cardstock paper with toddler-safe scissors, I used the same ideas that my favorite Montessori blogger does here.

4. Pattern Blocks
I cut out patterns with construction paper and included the same color megablocks in the bag. I demonstrate the activity for him and ask him to repeat it. It is still a bit challenging for him and good practice and introduction to math skills.

5. Sticker Activity Books
I’ve mentioned these before, too. They are fun and keep Knox busy. They’ve also quenched his thirst for unending knowledge about any and all animals. There are lots of exotic animals and uncommon animal stickers labeled in these books and he loves to play with them and identify animals. We have also begun to talk about what animals eat, where they live (land, water, and even part of the world), and whether they lay eggs or grow babies in their bellies, thanks also to this awesome map that I happened to find on Zulilly as a Christmas present last year.

I have also begun introducing the concepts of Calendar/Weather/Time.

So far, drawing on the calendar with the marker is much more interesting than discussing dates, weather or time, but he’s still a bit young for this, so I’m just keeping it up as a tool and I know he will begin asking questions when he’s ready to learn more.

These activities are advanced for Lately, but as I have mentioned before, children learn by watching, and I know that she watches everything he does. I know these new changes will benefit both children. There are also a few other things on the horizon for both of them. Knox and one of his playgroup friends will be meeting once a week for a short, semi-structured “school activity” morning which I will be leading along with my friend, her mother, who is a fellow teacher. She also has a baby a little younger than Lately, so this is an attempt to keep the babies entertained so that the older children get a little lesson without too much distraction. I’ll post more about that after we begin, but so far I’m enjoying the new things we are doing and I think the kids are as well.

and, just for fun…see some Knox spaghetti love here

 

At 32 months Knox knows how to say another prayer.

Knox (at bedtime prayers after being told he couldn’t watch a movie before bed): God! I’m so sad that I can’t watch a movie! Amen.

At 32 months, Knox knows how to say a prayer (and melt his Mommy’s heart).

Knox (at bedtime prayers in a whisper): Dear God, I love Mommy.

At 32 months, Knox knows how to reach me.

Knox (after being sent to his room for quiet time by Daddy): MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! *pause…sigh* (quietly to himself) I’ll call her on my finger phone.

Lately is moving right along as usual, picking up new tricks like clapping and climbing, even puckering up for a nice open-mouthed kiss every now and then. She has become quite the little flirt, flashing her squinty smile at anyone who looks in her direction, waving hello and goodbye at anyone coming or going (or just putting on a jacket) and just being generally cute and attention-worthy. She’s still just as busy as she’s always been and can now even take on a flight of stairs like a champ. She even taught herself to go backwards downstairs, thank goodness, although stairs and her climbing, in general, continue to give me mini heart attacks on a daily basis. Her dance skills are ever-expanding (now including some crazy head-shaking, which I NEED to publicize asap), along with her communication skills (more head shaking here when she is not having any of it). 

She and Knox are becoming quite the little pair. Their twin-like giggles, the funny games they play and the dynamic they are creating is the greatest blessing I could ask for. Watching them bond together the way they were meant to leaves me speechless most days. 

She’s a ray of sunshine, this one. She keeps me always on my toes and at the edge of my seat waiting to see just what she’ll figure out next, truly a joy to watch her grow and learn. It’s all gone by in a short breath, but she knows how to keep me looking forward to the future so I don’t pine too much over the blur of time that has been the past 10 months. Just a couple more and we’ll be lighting a birthday candle. Happy 10 months, my sweet, sweet girl!

Since I completed my most recent Day in the Life post, I decided to make some changes to our routine and our space especially because Lately (9 months) has begun to gain more independence and mobility, so I wanted to accommodate her needs and to try my best to coordinate them with Knox’s. Knox (32 months) has enjoyed re-exploring and mastering the toys and materials I set out to challenge her and she most definitely enjoys discovering all of Knox’s favorite toys.

Mixed-age grouping is an important part of the Montessori philosophy that I am continuously inspired by, and I love the following explanation of why:

“Children learn from observing and learn from each other. Multi-age groups provide a variety of activities, an enriched environment for children and a lens through which teachers observe. The teacher learns every day from the environment about what motivates each child.”~Lakshmi Kripalani (author, 70 year Montessori educator and trainer who worked with Maria Montessori herself)

The children’s learning space is ever-changing to adapt to their current interests and needs, but at the moment, this is what their spaces look like:

Knox’s shelf has become a joint storage space, housing on the top of the shelf, a few things that Lately cannot have access to (for safety reasons), and, on the bottom shelves, materials that they both enjoy and can explore together or separately.

1. Nature Jar: For observing outdoor treasures (currently holding an empty cocoon)

2. Music Box: This has a glass top which displays the inner-workings of the box. Both children love to explore this, but it’s too fragile for Lately to have access to without supervision.

3. Colors & Textures Matching Puzzle: Lately loves to explore (and taste) this puzzle, but it is obviously too challenging for her. Knox has mastered the puzzle, but he still enjoys finding the matches and will also “teach” Lately the colors and objects by identifying and pointing to them (usually when prompted).

4. Color Steps Puzzle: Again, too challenging for her and mastered by Knox, but I like that it introduces the concept of color progression. Knox also still enjoys completing it & demonstrating the skill give him a sense of pride. I think it’s very pretty, too!

5. Color Bottles: Mostly for Lately’s exploration.

6. First Shapes Puzzle: Easy for Knox, challenging for Lately (but age appropriate). Knox enjoys demonstrating things like this for her.

7. Geometric Stacker: Still a challenge for Knox and much too challenging for Lately, which is why I have provided some simple wooden rings in a separate bowl for her to use (you can see them on the dowels on the floor).

8. Wooden Tool Bench: (sorry, no link - not sure who makes this) Both children enjoy this toy. Can be used for hammering, stacking rings onto pegs, using the screwdriver and threading the screw through a square or removing pegs/screws.

9. Geometric Sorting Board: Still a little challenging for Knox and way too challenging for Lately (who mostly tastes the shapes).

10. Jack in the Box: Knox has recently learned to wind the handle and Lately really enjoys the surprise! A cute, classic toy for them to enjoy together.

11. Bead Maze: Just a fun exploration toy for both kids.

I also cleared a second shelf, bottom shelves are more appropriate for Lately, top shelf is for Knox.

1. Counting Box: To practice counting, I put sets of 2 of all sorts of different objects (2 matching blocks, 2 matching dinosaurs, 2 pegs, etc) along with the number 2 (a puzzle piece, a felt number, a flash card with the number 2 and also a matching game with the number 2 on it). Once he masters the number 2 we will move on to 3 and so on. He’s not that motivated to learn about counting at the moment, so we’re still on 2.

2. Sound Box: To practice letter sounds, I put objects in the box that start with the letter D, the “duh” sound (drum, diaper, dinosaur, duck, etc). Once he masters a letter, we move on to a new one (not really going in alphabetical order, just randomly choosing letters/sounds and we haven’t approached letters with more than one sound just yet). Also have a felt letter D, flash card with a D and puzzle piece with a D for identification and recognition.

3.Fabric Box: Full of fabric squares with different textures (lace, silk, felt, cotton, suede, satin, etc) for Lately to explore. There are 2 of each texture, so Knox can use it as a matching game as well.

4. Box with objects: Object permanence activity and also size activity. Lately can explore independently but I also use it as a game to demonstrate what fits in the box as well as teaching language (in and out, on and off).

5. Nesting cups & Egg: She can explore which cup the egg fits into and how the cups fit into each other and stack as well.

6. Small stacking blocks: Encourage fine motor skills. Knox enjoys teaching Lately how to stack these. She picks this basket first almost everytime she goes to her shelf.

7. Ball Tracker: Lately has just figured out how to put the ball through the holes and loves to watch the ball roll and drop. Knox enjoys this toy as well.

Downstairs we also have a building block area (interconnecting blocks, large wooden blocks), a music area, art area & a reading area which are shared spaces as well. I also recently moved the play kitchen downstairs and it’s getting a lot of attention. We also have a playroom space upstairs for activities that require a bigger space (i.e. gross motor play, train table, etc.), which Lately enjoys the most right now as she can practice climbing, bouncing, crawling through a tunnel and walking on a soft surface confidently.

I have also set up a little learning table with a basket of busy bags (activity bags), white board, calendar, etc. in the dining area which is mainly for Knox’s use. I’m planning to post about this area soon along with my new efforts to make room for a more structured “school time” within our routine.

The changes are working out well and both children seem to be enjoying and using the spaces a lot. You can read about how the space has changed, along with my other Montessori home learning posts here.

At 32 months, Knox knows how to make himself available.

Knox (leaving with Daddy): Bye, bye, Mommy….Call me if you need me.

{Lately, mustering a smile despite her sickness}

“We are all four in the same room, and we are all breathing. Do you know how amazing that is?” Tarrell asked me dramatically with tears welling up in his eyes last Sunday evening as we sat on the floor of our bedroom playing with the kids. He makes powerful statements like this when he’s feeling sentimental. They’re usually very simple words, but they always kind of shake me to the core and put me right there in the present moment like nothing else can.

Minutes later, I noticed a mark behind Lately’s right ear as I was about to put her to bed. I asked Tarrell to look at it and remarked that it looked like a strange spider bite. We decided it would be best to keep her up a little longer and keep an eye on it just in case. Within moments, the entire right side of her neck and face were red, covered in bumps and swollen. My stomach dropped and my breath stopped. In a haze of fear, I reached for the Benadryl quickly and fumbled around trying to figure out the correct dosage. We gave her the medicine and sat her down to observe her. She seemed to be having trouble swallowing and was making a strange coughing noise. Should we page the doctor on call? Should we go to the ER? Should we wait? We both struggled to answer the questions until finally I made the call to 911. Thankfully, she checked out fine and the medicine had done it’s job to keep the reaction from worsening.

It was a long, scary week full of more strange bumps, fevers, questions, doctor’s visits, worries and fears. We felt as if we were constantly on the verge of an emergency situation and poor Lately was pumped full of steroids, anti-histamines and fever-reducers for days on end. After much observation, as far as we can tell she had a bad reaction to a virus. Fingers crossed we won’t see those bumps again.Thankfully, my girl is healthy. My girl is strong. My girl is safe, and she’s breathing.

We take this breath for granted. The thing that keeps us from being more than just a stone is so often overlooked and very seldom appreciated. Our week was maybe a tiny sliver of what some people experience everyday. Whenever my children are unusually sick, this is always my first thought.

As I listened to Knox’s terrified screams through the door of the X-Ray room, I stood in the hallway, pregnant and crying, and imagined tiny cancer patients enduring rigorous medical testing on a daily basis, and parents in waiting rooms all over the world with white knuckles and anaesthetized, disease-ridden children in beds under scalpels and bright lights; parents waiting to see if their children would breathe again. And hours later, I was told that an x-ray showed that my son was breathing.just fine. 

Or, when Lately contracted the flu and I cautiously checked for signs of pneumonia; propped her up nightly, listening obsessively to her breathing, swayed and rocked back and forth for hours in the steam from the shower, laid my hand on her sleeping back one last time before sleep to feel the rise and fall of her healthy breath. Just as I began to feel sorry for myself for the lack of sleep, I remembered those mothers who never got to meet their babies; mothers who would never, ever sleep the same way again because their dreams and nightmares would be riddled with images of their lost child; and women who wake up every morning, take a deep breath and wish with all of their being they could conceive a child and become a mother and endure all of the good, the bad and the difficult things that I endure everyday.

Though it may seem heavy-handed and melodramatic, especially considering the smallness of the medical problems we have seen, this is where my mind goes. This is how I deal with the stress of it all, how I put it all into perspective and thank God for it all. I am thankful that this is the sickest I’ve ever seen my baby, thankful for her strength, and most of all I’m thankful that we are all here now, together, under the same roof and breathing.