It just occurred to me, today, to check up on Lorelei’s “milestones” or “touchpoints” using one of my favorite books. I was actually supposed to refer back to the book at 15 months (she’s 16 months, now), so today I read the 15 months and the 18 months section. And, with the exception of being able to jump (18 months), she has mastered all of the touchpoints for both sections. I’m not proud at all (can you tell)? Heh.

For a while now, I’ve known that I wanted to homeschool Lorelei – with lots and lots of hands-on activities and field trips, of course. However, I thought I would have to wait until she was at least 3 or 4 years old. Until I had about the Montessori approach. Basically, once she’s older, I plan to use curriculum, hands-on learning, field trips, and the Montessori approach all combined. But, for now – that’d be getting a little ahead of ourselves. (And, no worries all of you naysayers. She can still play sports and have loads of peer interaction while homeschooling. Already looked into that. )

For infants and Toddlers, a Montessori school basically has caregivers (or is supposed to) that are there EVERY DAY. So, if your child becomes attached to one (and they will), they will be comforted knowing that their “teacher” will be there every day. When you walk into a Montessori school, you’ll see everything toddler-sized – from sinks to tables and chairs to EVERYTHING. And, the whole place is “kid-proofed,” where they can play wherever freely. Let me show you:

Well, I want to do this at home. Basically. Now. In a way, we kind of already do. But, the whole Montessori technique would be giving her more lead way. For example, in the Montessori settings, kids (even toddlers) have access to the sink. I’ve heard that I can use a 2 step stepstool for this (they have mini sinks in the Montessori schools), but I’m still not sure Lorelei would be tall enough. In fact, I know she wouldn’t be. She’s short. Like me. But, she can begin drinking from a cup and not a sippy cup. She knows HOW, she just needs practice. And why not now? Plus, we’ll start practicing all of those fun (and slightly annoying) songs that inspire learning – you know, 5 little monkeys, Old MacDonalds, Apples and Bananas, etc. – which will teach her counting, animal sounds, and word sounds (or help), as well as to predict what’s coming next and anticipate it. We’ll begin practicing pouring water from cup to cup, as well as macaroni. She will begin feeding herself using utensils (which she already knows how to do). Plus, more artwork of course.

As she grows, we’ll begin teaching her how to do household and outside work. For example, helping to rake leaves with a child sized rake. Washing mini dishes with a mini dish pan things “her size”. Helping in the kitchen with kidsafe tools. Sweeping and scrubbing (once again, with special kid broom and scrubbers). Okay, that kind of sounds a little cinderella-ish, but it’s really not. There are lots of puzzles and other things involved, too (at this age).

PS – the photo of Lorelei is with her new(ish) monkey backpack, which COINCIDENTALLY has a tail that can be snapped on or off and held by her parental units (us) when she doesn’t want to held and doesn’t want to hold our hands. Kind of like freedom, but without the fear of kidnappers or lost kids in Walmart. We haven’t really put it to it’s intended use. She REALLY wanted it at Walmart…and it WAS cute. Okay, so we folded like cards and are totally weak. Shut up.

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