[SomedayMom]

My younger son has a birthday coming up (3 in July). He is in toddlers right now and starts primary in the fall. Along with fueling his love for all things Buzz Lightyear and Knights and Castles, I would love to get him some Montessori friendly gifts as well. He has a special fascination with letters right now and also loves practical life. I am buying small pitchers and household things for him (brooms, window washing, anything he can use to scrub with as he loves to do this). I would like to get him some language and math works appropriate for his age though too.<br><br>
I would also love to get some things for my older son. He'll be in his K year in the fall and will be staying in his school for elementary too. He wants to work on his reading this summer and he LOVES math works. His favorite is the hundred board and the chains (8, 9, and 10 in particular). He also loves the stamp game. What would be practical to have for him that would also be useful as he moves into lower el?<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[SomedayMom]

I don't want anything for special training, just some things that are going to be fun that they might miss over the summer <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> But I asked my 5 year old if there was anything he'd like to have at home and he said no, so there you go <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I think I may just go for some practical life things for my 3 year old.

 

[jenfl]

I can best speak to the 3 year old... there aren't a lot of language or math materials at that age. You're pretty much just helping them hear sounds in words, so lots of I Spy and phonics objects. The first "material" for language is probably the Sandpaper Letters. Math usually isn't started for a while; it's lots of Sensorial stuff as preparation.