The Kavanaugh Report

Over the past couple weeks since Henry started school full time, Nora's independent play has really blossomed. She can frequently be found working quietly alone or asking me to join her in her work. Plus, she's really starting to enjoy new, interesting and challenging materials.  Of course, I've discussed her love of puzzles , and language materials , but a lot of other work finds its way to our shelves. And, I thought I would share a "shelfie" of what our playroom shelf looks like today.  Top Shelf {Left to Right}: DIY Continent Globe {just for decoration}; Vintage Puzzle; Dry Pouring;  Interlox Builders ; Ring Counter Middle Shelf: Animal Language Cards from Michael Olaf; Vintage Puzzle, Stacking Cone ; Wooden Train Track and Trains ; Stacking Barrels ; Vintage Buckle Toy Bottom Shelf: Shape Sorting Work ; Vintage Vehicle Language Cards Floor: Stacking Boxes And we can't possibly forget the barn, one of the most used toys {b...

According to Maria Montessori children are in the sensitive period for language from birth until age 6. During this time they are making incredible leaps in not only oral, but written language acquisition. Most of the time this happens without any intervention on the part of the parent. Exploring Montessori language work from 2 to 3 may not look like what you are expecting. This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.  As I've talked about before , toddlers often need no formal introduction to academic concepts. This includes "typical" language activities such as the alphabet or reading programs. As Maria said "In our system little children acquire a hand which is practiced and ready to write. They are unconsciously preparing themselves for writing when in the course of the sense exercises they move the hand in various directions, constantly repeating the same actions though with different immediate ends in view." Again, we are choosing to ...

Today Henry officially begins his public Montessori journey! I don't know where the time went and how suddenly my little, pink screaming newborn is gone and this self-sufficient 5-year-old stands in his place.