What's for Montessori Cultural? - N2 March

Do you know what are the parts of a frog?

In Montessori cultural activity, children get to explore with individual activities  provided which helps child to acquire knowledge. For the month of March, they are learning about parts of a frog. In this activity, materials were displayed and questions were asked to let them share their prior knowledge before we share with them more about frogs.

 Then they will work together as a group to assemble the puzzle of a frog together!

As we all know, children enjoy and learn better when it is a fun activity. Picture cards and word cards were arranged in a line for them to read and recognize the words as they jump like a frog from one picture card to another.

After each of them get their chance to jump like a frog, they all start to write and colour the life cycle of a frog activity sheet. After which, every child get to work with the materials individually.

First, Janelle were to match the picture cards and word cards accordingly.

Then she assembled the frog jigsaw puzzle.

These are all the extended activity to strengthen children's understanding of what being shared during the discussion! 

Sandplay!

Children have always been intrigued by sand play. They dig in sand, sift it, build with it, pour it, enjoy the feel and smell of it, pretend with it, and explore how it moves. Balke (1997) contends that, "The culture of children is threatened by mass media and overproduction of plastic playthings that are ready-made and demand nothing of the child" (p. 358). Sand, on the other hand, is well-suited to the explorative and imaginative nature of young children.

Sand play promotes physical development. Large muscle skills develop as children dig, pour, sift, scoop, and clean up spills with brush and dustpan. Eye-hand coordination and small muscle control improve as children learn to manipulate sand accessories.

Sand play also promotes social skills. When children work together at the sand table they are faced with real problems that require sharing, compromising, and negotiating. A group may engage in dramatic play as they 'cook', construct roadways, dig tunnels, or create a zoo for rubber animals. As children take on roles associated with their dramatic play, they learn important social skills such as empathy and perspective taking.

Mathematical concepts can be developed during sand play by providing children with measuring spoons and cups, containers in a variety of sizes and shapes, balance scales, or counting bears. As you observe children's sand play, use mathematical terms like more/less; many/few; empty/full; heavy/light. Then challenge children to count how many scoops it takes to fill a container. Sequence accessories by size.

Children have a natural affinity for sand play. Interest can be built by providing children with inviting props, asking appropriate questions, and scheduling ample time for children to work through their play ideas. While stimulating environment is provided to enhance concept development and skill building, it is important that the sand play area remain free and child-centered so that children may generate their own play schemes imaginatively.

There is never an ending for fun!

Play shouldn’t always be seen as an extracurricular, optional activity, but rather an essential tool in a child’s development. Research shows that outdoor free play gives kids many valuable benefits, including the development of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.

Benefits of Active Play

All children should be encouraged to participate in regular active play everyday. Regular active play helps children to develop a lifelong habit of daily exercise and life skills such as:

• -communication and social skills
• -an understanding of social rules
• -friendships
• -a sense of 'give and take'
• -patience and perseverance
• -an understanding of others
• -teamwork and a sense of belonging.

Keiran and Javier decided to play with the coloured balls.

Andrei fell while playing with the jumping sack. However, he laughed about it and continued playing.

Keiran having fun time playing with the over arm throw.

See Ching is playing with the bubbles.

Andrei and See Ching are playing with bubbles by the pool to excite the K1 children.

Lucas, Keiran and Enzo are having fun!

One for all, all for one!

Keiran had the ball bounced back on him and he laughed at it.

Let's all have fun!

Your role when playing with your child

It's helpful to allow your child to lead during play. Let your child determine what to do and how to do it within the limits of safety and time constraints. This lets the child try out his/her judgment and allows him/her to show you what the he/she is delighted in.

Join in your child's play, but only when invited to do so. As he/she lets you into his/her world of make-believe, give the child complete control. In real life, you may be in charge, but this is his/her world.

The attention you show your child when you play together is key to building his/her self-esteem. For example, when you pretend along with your child, you're showing him/her that you accept his/her make-believe world and that it is fun and important to you, too. Wish you a great time playing with your child!