Creating Montessori learning opportunities at home

Did you know that some games you play with your toddlers can actually influence their interest in learning subjects like science and math as they grow older? If you spend just a few minutes a day with the Reggio based games and activities below, your child will learn much more easily. Young children are natural mathematicians and scientists because of their desire to explore, experiment and their natural curiosity; according to educational experts at the National Science Foundation.

Here are some things you can do with your pre-schooler at home.

• Go for a stroll: At Montessori preschools, we often take our little geniuses for a stroll around the neighbourhood. We stop along the way and watch flowers, animals and bugs. Children being natural ‘curiosity magnets’, ask questions and learn a lot of things that are science related. Do the same with your child and you will be surprised at how much you can teach them without a textbook.
• Talk and listen!: Children love talking about their experiences, fears and dreams. You may think your pre-schooler is just four years old, but you will be surprised at how much he can tell you. At our day care centres, there are time slots when we share experiences, be it a trip to the mall or a trip to the zoo. Kids love having this little talk time and you will see how easily they can tell you so much with just a little encouragement.
• Toys: Picking the right toys for your child is very important. You will notice that the toys at Montessori schools are meant for exploration. They need not be expensive, but they should be ‘brain friendly’. Take for example, a ball – they roll, bounce, get thrown in the air. How high can they bounce? Do they sink or float? Take blocks – building blocks are great for science and math through engineering and geometry. Puzzles help children to solve problems and at the same time they learn about shapes, colours and sizes. Get your child to help you make their own unique puzzle with magazine pictures.

There are loads of things you can do with your pre-schooler to constantly challenge his knowledge. Try these things and see how your little one absorbs knowledge without a proper lesson at a desk!