overwhelmed, help me start w/12 month old

[maptome]

I'm a bit overwhelmed by information and I have yet to find a starting point to get into Montessori with my soon-to-be 12 month old. I would really appreciate it if someone can point me to a link that specific to 12 month olds.

Can someone give me a list of basic supplies and maybe a couple of lessons to get started? If I could jump in and get started, I wouldn't be so overwhelmed.

Thank you so much. I apologize if this is an annoying question. (I'm new to this forum.)

[sunshineafterrain]

I would recommend the book "How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way" by Tim Seldin

amazon carries it, and your library may have it as well

Also the last pages of the homeschooling Spring/Summer thread on here, lists a bunch of blogs you might like to check out

[MattBronsil]

Here's that book on amazon:
http://astore.amazon.com/monteblog-20/detail/075662505X

[emilyj67]

Just reviving this oldish thread to agree -- my daughter just turned one, and I love that book. It got great reviews on amazon, and I think the biggest thing I've learned is to do one piece at a time. I happened to see different-colored bean bags in a montessori catalog, so I sewed my DD 6 bean bags, each a different color, and put them in a basket. Then got a bookshelf (Ikea Expedit) so I could separate different materials. Right now, I'm focusing on a few different baskets I want my daughter to have, and on having things be neatly arranged to cultivate that.

I also have a ball basket, and I think I'll do an open-close one (i.e. with different containers to open and close: zipper, click-lid, twist lid, maybe velcro?, etc.) the small hands catalog also has good materials with ages listed (I think) to help you get started.

I also encourage her in independent activities, letting her do them on her own, but with me nearby. (i.e. sometimes I do things with her; other times, I am simply there)

But back to yes, I'd get the amazing child book.

Emily, mt Nina, 1, who mostly likes to stir things in a random plastic container in the kitchen.

[Shanny2032]

If you go to the for small hands website (or others) and see what they sell for children in that age you can see what you already have at home that you can use to get started instead of spending a ton of money. A small pitcher, tray and cup for pouring practice is a great place to start and you probably have something you can use for that. Also, paying attention to how some "traditional" toys (things you didn't know were montessori when you bought them like nesting blocks or something) you may already have are really similar to something that is deemed montessori can really help you to see the simplicity in it all. Don't forget every day chores likes helping you put things in the washer or dryer, washing fruits and vegetables. Finally, watching your child helps you realize that montessori (especially at this age) really is about following a child's natural curiosity and desire for "order" (not necesarily what WE think of as order). I was looking at websites last night trying to decide what was next to set up for my soon to be 2 year old and then while I was getting dressed this morning she took almost all of the books off of her bookshelf and stacked them on her stool. No special supplies or dollars spent, just natutal toddler behavior at it's finest!

[lach]

Yet another vote for "How to Raise an Amazing Child..." Definitely the best Montessori book out there for the layperson.

As this age, don't buy anything or start in on lessons. I know it's hard to wait, but the works you'll find in a 3-6yo classroom are for 3-6 year olds What I would really concentrate on now, and for the next few years, is your environment and encouraging independence. The Seldin book will give you plenty of information on each.

The most important thing is to create an environment where the child can explore freely. That means put everything breakable on a high shelf In a few months, when she starts mimicking the cleanup tasks you do, encourage her. Let her help. My 18mo helps me unload the dishwasher. He hands me one thing at a time and I put it away. Yes, it take 1/2 an hour to unload it... but he is sooo happy and sooo proud to help. And this isn't something I encouraged... one day, he just started handing me the flatware and now he obviously considers it his job. He stands by the dishwasher after breakfast, waiting.

[flightgoddess]

Not a montessori expert, some ideas come from traditional daycares I have worked at in the past or ecfe, but montessori-ish ideas...

with a metal or plastic coffee can with lid: take off label or cover with contact paper. Find one type of objects (or just 1) like cloth ball (hackysack is great) or juice can lids or plastic poker chips or sprigless clothespins. Make a hole in the lid large enough to accomodate chosen object. You can 'show' the baby how the object goes in the hole. And then the lid comes off and you can take it out and do it again, etc.

The colored bean bags are a great idea. You also could do a texture quilt or just the squares, of different fabrics, leather, etc.

A mirror on the wall at child height is great! Their own shoe shelf/basket, their own short coat hook.

Stacking doughnut rings are great!

Visit your local thrift store.Look for child size silverwear, cups, maybe you'll even find child size furniture or table or a short bookshelf. Look for mini metal or ceramic 'prep' bowls or maybe ramekins if you are avoiding plastic. And saucers or salad/dessert plates are the perfect size. Give your child the opportunity to use them and try them, but you will still have to help with feeding for a while, but probably by 16-18 mo your child can do more self feeding with utensils.