I’ve been doing loads of reading and research, trying to figure out the best ways to go about this whole Montessori thing - without dropping $500 a month in tuition.  One of the first things I began noticing that I would need was a small area rug.  It didn’t have to be cute or pretty, but it did need to be all cloth, no rubber.  $2.50 seemed to be the right price at Walmart, so that’s the one I got.  The idea of the small rug is to help your child focus on one activity.  You place the activity on the rug, and they get a little less anxious about the things lining their walls.  It seemed to work.  Except, we got a multicolored one, and I think I’d recommend something a little more solid.  Although, now that I have the thicker rug, I can always lay a bath towel over it.  I’m all for using what I have.

I also bought a small collander (sp?).  It’s like teeny.  And red.  Way cuter than the one we (grown ups) use.  I thought a nice intro to preparing food would be draining pasta.  I can’t wait to use it!  I mean, her use it.

Of course, I had to buy some rice, too.  Just plain ol’ cheap white rice.  I wanted something she could practice scooping and pouring with (that’s easier than liquids).  A lot of people start off with beans, but I figured swallowing rice might be less of a hazard.  But, after she kept accidentally spilling bits of rice from pouring, she finally decided “What the heck” and just began slinging it.  I’m chalking that up to her being tired, but I still haven’t jumped back in with the rice yet.  That stuff is really hard to clean up.  Maybe we’ll do it on the patio instead.

Lorelei also has her own mini silverware.  A knive, spoon, and fork.  She can use the latter two, and tries to use a knife like she does a fork.

This weekend, Lorelei got her very own toothbrush.  When she was younger, my mom got her finger toothbrush.  And funny enough, as much as she would tell me I should be brushing the kid’s teeth, SHE would never volunteer to stick her finger into the pirahna’s mouth either.  I personally like my fingers intact and unbruised, something that couldn’t be promised once entering L’s mouth.  So, we were prepared to buy her a musical toothbrush that I’d seen online for $10.  Turns out that toothbrush looked way bigger in the store, so I bought the $2 version which doesn’t sing or dance, but it is tiny and cute - and L is now brushing her teeth.  And tongue.  And, if you are lucky, she’ll try to brush yours too.

Now, I’m looking for farm and domestic animals that are 3 and 4D (think little figurines, preferably not breakable).  And, farm/domestic animals that are magnets as well.  I may end up making the magnets by cutting out pictures and adhering them magnets.  We’re also working on getting her a magnifying glass for exploring and some mini tongs (like you use for sugar cubes) to work on transferring objects from one place to another.

Here are some other skills she’s learned recently:

Transferring ice from one bowl to another using scoops and spoons (and her hands):

Putting clothes pins in a jar.  (She was introduced to this today and immediately MASTERED it).  This is probably her favorite right now.  Although slinging rice comes in close as second *sigh*

Welcome back!