Independent activity for 3YO at home

[staceychev]

I'm looking down the barrel of the 2008/2009 school year (as a teacher) and am really really really hoping that it isn't as hard as it was last year. DD (age 3, now) didn't let me get anything done at home. This is tough, since I'm an English teacher and have a ton of paperwork.

Anyway, I have a desk set up in our living room now. (House is a work in progress and I only had the dining room table or kitchen counter last year.) But I'm thinking that, even with this desk, DD isn't going to leave me alone.

So, then, I thought Montessori, and the idea of "work." DD isn't in a Montessori school during the day, but I'm totally open to exploring those ideas at home. I'm wondering if I could get her to do her own work at her table (which is next to my desk, by the way) while I grade. Even if I had to monitor and redirect periodically, this would be a really great help.

I guess what I'm wondering about is autonomy in a 3-year old, and if Montessori methods could help. She's very bright, if that makes a difference, but she's also very clingy, especially towards me.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or wisdom!

[Koloe]

I'll I've got to say is good luck! My just about to turn 3-year-old is the exact same way. Especially in the evenings.

Can you give her "papers" to grade too?

I have found that my DD is just starting to understand that when I say, not now, I will do X with you a little later (or after I finish X, or when we get home, etc.), that she will respect that. Assuming I follow through on what I say I will do later and it isn't too far into "later".

[mhshifferly]

Hi! I'm a trained Montessori teacher for ages 2.5 to 6 years old. My son is now 4 1/2 and we have also been through this scenario during the last few years Thankfully, I had experience at the age level to draw from and came up with many ideas that I think can be adapted to fit your DD's interests and abilities.

As mentioned before, the phrasing "as soon as I...", "when I'm finished with...", "when we get home", etc. are great! This gives a definitive time that you will focus on her and children quickly respect this if you do what you say.

We also tried the following:

1. Use a visual timer to give notice of how long. Sand timers are great but are harder for longer periods of time. Great for needing 5 more minutes!

2. Create an area (we used a 3-tier shelf) that contains items for "work" time. In Montessori classes, each work is independent of the others and they are placed on shelves and returned to the same spot consistently. They can find what they want to use easily. Also, I think a consistent time that you work is helpful. If each day you get home, read a short book together and then have work time, she will know what to expect.

Stock shelf with:

• 1 or 2 puzzles that are easy for her to start and increase the difficulty once the process is established and she can handle more time.
• some art activities - paper to draw - use crayons for a while and change these for chalk later, glue stick with paper to glue, playdough with cookie cutters and rolling pin, scissors with papers to cut, paper with shaped hole punches, string with beads to lace, etc.
• blocks or train track pieces to build with
• cards for matching pictures or colors (old calendars are great - use the picture off the back to match to the picture in the calendar - use 2 sets of paint samples from the store and cut up for matching)
• books on tape! We set up a small CD/cassette player and put a green sticker on play and red on stop. Then, we taught him to flip the cassette and turn pages when he heard to "ding". He would spend long periods doing this!
• Folding towels, rags, socks, etc.

To keep it fresh, sometimes you just have to change something small, like using different beads or drawing implements or new pictures for matching or just change the tray you have it on. It will take a little bit of set up and some training time with her but can be well worth the effort.

Start with small time periods 5-10 minutes and build up. You may want to spend some time with her immediately before you get to work to get her settled in also. I also told my son during these times, "I'm finishing my work, please go do your work." We had always used the word work and he understood what that meant. And eventually, if I was at my desk, he would work mostly on his own until I got up (I only used my desk when I was working). And he knew that when I was done, I would work with him

The possibilities are endless! Good Luck and I hope that helps some!