November 26, 2007 6:16 AM
Montessori at home #12
I talk a lot about the importance of seeing the world through children's eyes in order to provide for their needs. That was one of the first principles I learned as a Montessori teacher.
When you make this a practice, it will change the way you choose items for your home - hanging pictures that will delight your children at a level they can see and having stools available so they can participate in the life of the house.
You will start to notice the little things that can make all the difference in a child's success.
Like choosing the right glass.
See how those little fingers can handle the juice glass more easily? I found this set of glasses at Costco a year ago and grabbed them specifically because they had the juice size. I also liked the vertical ridges in the glass which meant they wouldn't slip out of my children's hands easily. The set came with eight glasses of each size. At meals, the adults use the big ones and the kids use the juice glasses. We still have all eight of the juice glasses.
(For more about why I use breakable glasses with my kids read Montessori at Home #2. You can read more ideas like this by clicking on Categories above and then clicking Montessori.
Posted in Montessori, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Just wondering at what age you start giving your kids breakable things at the dinner table. My almost three year old does very well with a glass, but my 1 year old is in the drop it and watch Mommy pick it up phase. So would I start her with a plastic open cup, then switch to a glass once she stops dumping it all over?
I like the juice glasses, we just got a similar set from my in-laws. It had been a wedding gift that they never used so all the glasses are smaller sizes than ones made today. Very nice for little hands, as well as for portion control for adults.
Love your site. :)
Posted by: Jen V. | November 26, 2007 9:51 AM
Hi Barbara!
I rarely comment, but read pretty regularly. Just wanted to let you know that I have very similar glasses that I got at Gordman's. If any of your readers are looking, they might find them there!
Posted by: Cory | November 26, 2007 4:11 PM
I'm showing my ignorance here, but which glasses are the juice glasses? The tall skinny ones? (At least, it looks to me like little hands can span those more easily!)
Barbara, for a brand new mom just starting out with a newborn, which of your books to do you recommend starting with?
Posted by: Erin | November 26, 2007 7:08 PM
Hi Erin -
Sorry! the tall skinny ones are easier for the child to handle.
For a brand new mom, I would recommend The Mommy Manual - and then Mommy, Teach Me! - although there is a small amount of overlap between them (maybe 15-20% of the content).
Jen - Definitely wait until your child is finished with the Throw It and Watch Mom Pick It Up stage before introducing real glasses :)
Posted by: barbara | November 26, 2007 9:25 PM
Thanks!:o) I'm now adding those two book recommendations to my list...
Posted by: Erin | November 27, 2007 10:41 PM
i love your blog-found you through comments for her bad mother, i worked in a group home with disabled adults for four years before i finished nursing school, i know how amazing people who have downs (as well as other disabilities) are.
also, i have this set of glasses and a two year old, never thought to give him one though!
Posted by: ali | November 30, 2007 4:02 PM
