Book List: Housebound Edition

Hello dear families. We are sending out our love and support during this challenging time. We know you are stuck at home, but we hope you have found some beautiful moments or ways to make it work. In lieu of our regular book list this month, we created one that may be helpful in this unique situation. The list consists of two parts: books that may be helpful in content if you are so inclined to order them online and prefer physical books, and sources for ebooks for children. 

Books About Health and Viruses

Germs Are Not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen

Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, Germs Are Not for Sharing has simple text and clear illustrations that teach and remind little ones what they should do when they are sick. For example, “Cough, cough, cough! What do you need to do? Turn your head away. Cough into your sleeve.” 

A Germ’s Journey by Thom Rooke M.D., illustrated by Anthony Phillip Trimmer

Ideal for lower elementary-aged children, Trimmer’s mischievous-looking green germ character, combined with Rooke’s clear explanations give kids a better sense of how we spread germs to one another and what they do in our bodies. Perfect for giving information to children who are curious to learn more about why we are self-isolating and how our immune systems work to protect our bodies, this book couldn’t be more timely.

Microbiology: It’s a Small World! By Simon Basher, illustrated by Dan Green

For the science lovers: Basher’s book gets into descriptions of various microbes. Striking drawings will appeal to kids, as will more information than they will find in a typical storybook. From the first discoveries of bacteria, to how our bodies defend themselves against germs, and facts about a variety of microbes, there is plenty of fascinating information to satisfy curious kids.

Books About Emotions and Compassion

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Our children are undoubtedly missing friends and family. We can help them remember the unwavering connections of love with this sweet book. When two children are frightened by a thunderstorm and unsure about their mother’s request that they return to bed, she teaches them about the invisible strings that connect us all.

Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud, illustrated by David Messing

While this book was written with children in mind, the message is for everyone. Even the most peaceful of families is likely getting a little stir-crazy right about now. Learn how to fill your bucket and how you can help others with their own. It’s helpful to stop and remember that our thoughts and actions can have profound effects on ourselves and those around us.

Peace Is An Offering by Annette LeBox, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

Peace Is An Offering blends beautiful illustrations with an even more beautiful message. The book reminds children that even small acts of kindness make a really big difference in the lives of those around us. It does touch on tragedy without being overly graphic or upsetting. For example, there is mention of needing a home, towers falling, and losing a loved one. We recommend watching a video of the book being read aloud in YouTube if you unsure whether the story would be right for your child.

Free Ebook Sources for Children

hoopla | streaming audiobooks, music, video & ebooks

Hoopla runs in connection with public libraries. Check with your local library to see if you have access. (Bonus: There’s plenty of great titles for adults as well!)

Amazon’s Top 100 Free Kindle Books

This list is updated each hour to reflect the most popular books downloaded by users. You may be surprised by what you can find at no cost!

International Children’s Digital Library

This site contains thousands of titles in a multitude of languages. Readers get to look at high-quality scans of actual books pages, which can be a refreshing treat when it comes to ebooks.

Barnes & Noble Free eBooks for Kids

The store boasts more than 5000 titles geared toward a range of ages. Another added benefit is the ability to sort through various categories of interest, so  you’re not just scrolling through a muddle of books that won’t interest you child.

As always, we love to hear your feedback. Whether you end up checking out one of the recommendations and want to share your thoughts, or if you have another book or resource you think the families of our community would appreciate, please feel free to reach out.

Happy reading!

7 Little Ways to Create a Montessori Home Environment

Many families of young children are turning to Montessori methods when it comes to parenting.  After all, it’s one approach that honors the child as an autonomous being and gives them the respect they are due.  But how can we make space for our children in our homes without the place becoming one giant toy bin?  This list of seven helpful tips will get you started on the right track.

1. Have a kid-friendly shelf or cabinet in the kitchen.

This is one of the simplest ways to encourage your child to be independent and show that you trust them.  Starting when your children are toddlers and continuing until they are able to reach and use everything the adults do, set aside a small cabinet or drawer in your kitchen just for them.  This is where you will keep child sized plates, bowls, cups, silverware, and perhaps even a few cloth napkins.  This will allow your child to get what they need whenever they need it; you won’t need to stop what you are doing to help them, and they can feel good about doing something for themselves.

Want to take it a step further?  Keep pre portioned snacks in the cabinet for your child to access whenever they want.  Some families also designate an area of the refrigerator for this purpose, along with a small pitcher containing water or milk that little hands can easily pour themselves.

2. Consider a few minor additions to your entryway.

Getting out the door in the morning can be one of the most rushed and sometimes stressful times of day for families of young children.  A few quick additions to your entryway can help make everything run a bit more smoothly.

Consider your child’s height and hang one or two hooks near the door just for them.  Keep a small box or bin that they can toss their shoes into, thus keeping them contained, tidy, and easy to find when they need them.  We have even seen some families hang a small mirror at child height in the same area.  Taking these steps will help build responsibility, keep your home organized, and ease the frantic pace of many of our mornings.

3. Put most of the toys away.

This recent study covers the scientific reasoning behind why less is more.  That said, it isn’t easy.  Even if you are mindful of not buying your child too many toys (a feat in itself), there are always gifts from family members, party favors, and so many unpredictable little treasures that kids collect.

How can we manage all that stuff?

When your child is at an age where they can comprehend the ideas, it’s good to talk to them about waste and consumption, then ask for their help in working to manage it all.  Until then, observe your child at play, determine what they actually use or enjoy, then rotate toys according to what you notice.  Avoid the bottomless toy box and opt instead for using low shelves as storage.  Items are easier to see and manage that way.

4. Keep baskets of books handy.

Reading is great for children in so many ways, so keeping books handy wherever you are is important.  It can even be fun to make your selections.  Some ideas:

• Keep a basket of seasonal books in the corner of your living room.

• Stack your potty training books in the bathroom.

• Your child loves dinosaurs? Check some dino books out from the library and keep them in a bag in the car so they’re always on hand (for trips, waiting rooms, an older sibling's soccer game…)

• Basically, anywhere your child spends time and there isn’t a bookshelf nearby, collect up a few books and tuck them within reach.

5. Build independence into children’s bedrooms.

One of the earliest ways to build independence into your child’s bedrooms is with your choice of bed when they are infants.  Many Montessori families choose to use a floor bed.  If the rest of the child’s room is safe, this allows them freedom of movement when they wake.  Many babies and toddlers will wake up and crawl/walk around the room, keeping themselves occupied with their toys until their parents wake up and come to get them.  The floor bed can be implemented whenever the parents feel comfortable giving it a try.  If your little one starts crawling out of the crib but isn’t quite ready for the height of a toddler or regular bed, a simple solution is to just lay the mattress on the floor until they are ready for the next stage.

Another area to keep in mind: your child’s access to their clothing.  Older toddlers and preschool aged children can begin selecting their own clothes.  By making a limited number of choices available to them, you can ensure they will wear something appropriate for the weather while still giving them the empowering ability to decide for themselves.

6. Keep color schemes and decor simple and natural.

Depending on our own childhoods and other factors, sometimes we feel like we need to decorate children’s spaces in bright colors.  The truth is, we all function better in calming environments.  There’s no need to spend lots of money to replace what you already have, but consider the following swaps:

• Paint over bright walls with a more neutral color.

• Opt for wood, glass, metal, and natural fibers over plastics.

• Framed art (inexpensive prints or thrift store finds) or photos can replace cartoon posters.

7. Make space for your children.

It all really comes down to shifting our perspective.  Our children are human beings who are worthy of living in a home that serves them and their needs.  The key is balance.  Should our children’s things take over the entire house?  Definitely not!  (You live there, too, after all.)  Small adjustments in each room children spend time can make a huge difference in their lives.  

Do you already implement some of these ideas in your home?  How has it worked out for your family?  Do you have other suggestions to share with families who are looking to make their home more Montessori friendly?

How to Support the Work of Your Child’s Montessori School

A fresh new school year comes with lots of excitement, and often lots of questions from new and returning families alike.  One of the most frequent questions we receive is, “How can we support Montessori education at home?”

First of all, we love this question!  We know that even busy families want to do what they can to support the hard work of their children and their children’s teachers.  We are here to tell you that your support means everything, and it honestly doesn’t take much to make a huge difference.

What you definitely do NOT need to do:

• Purchase Montessori materials for use at home - in fact, we recommend strongly against doing so. Montessori materials were developed to be used in a very specific manner and using them with children requires intensive training. While there is certainly an allure to the beautiful wooden learning materials, we believe it’s best to allow trained and credentialed Montessori educators guide children in using them in the way they were intended to be used.

• Buy any fancy organization systems (or really, buy anything at all) - Montessori at home need not cost a cent. Supporting the philosophy at home is more about a shift in approaches and perspective and less about buying more stuff to enrich the environment.

• Push for academic achievement - we believe that with the right support and guidance, children make great strides in academic areas all on their own and in their own time. Learning is not linear and each individual requires the time and space to arrive at milestones when they are ready. Your child’s teacher will certainly let you know if there are academic skills that can be supported, but generally speaking, children work so hard at school it’s okay to let them take a break at home.

What is really helpful:

1. Learn about Montessori philosophy. There are lots of ways to do this! We hold regular parent education sessions at the school. These events can be great ways to connect with other families, spend time getting to know our staff, and also one of the best ways to learn more about what Montessori means and how it’s an excellent approach for teaching children.

In addition to attending parent education sessions there are other great resources out there.  One of the best books we recommend is Montessori: the Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard.  This book is available in our lending library.

Great resource articles for parents from the Association Montessori Internationale/USA can be found here: https://amiusa.org/parent-resources/

2. Volunteer at the school. There are opportunities for all talents and schedules! Some ideas:

• Chaperone on field trips/”going outs”

• Help with school fundraising efforts

• Serve as a parent coordinator committee member that supports the classrooms

• Ask your child’s teacher what support would be helpful to them

• Help out with special events

• Give a presentation to children about your job

• Pitch in with school gardening projects
  

3. “Follow the child.” What the Montessori approach really boils down to is honoring the child as a whole human being that is deserving of the same respect as any adult. Learning to shed our preconceived notions of what parenting and teaching means and considering new ways of doing things can be challenging at first, but the long-term benefits are substantial for everyone involved.

We want to inspire you to encourage your child to be more independent.  The more they can do for themselves (including making their own choices), the better.  Nurturing a sense of independence is empowering for the child and, believe it or not, less work for you!  Allowing children independence and freedom does not, however, mean they get to make all the decisions; there has to be a balance!  We will illustrate this concept further in an upcoming post. 

4. If you are happy with the education your child is receiving, spread the word! We believe that Montessori has the power to bring great change to the world, one child at a time. Our approach to education isn’t about memorizing facts and scoring well on tests; we aim to nurture kind, creative, and empowered members of society. The best way to expand our work is to reach more children.

If you’ve been happy with your child’s education at our school, reach out and let us know.  There are plenty of ways to leave reviews for potential families to read.  Spreading the word can also be as simple as talking openly with friends at your neighborhood birthday parties or weekend soccer games.  There are plenty of families out there looking for the solutions that Montessori provides.

We hope this post has been helpful, but if you have any questions or ideas, please let us know.  As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teachers.  Together, we can work to create a more beautiful world.