Natural Beach Living: June 2014

June 27, 2014

Montessori at Home Activities

Montessori is a philosophy developed by an inspirational educator named Maria Montessori. It has been around since the late 1800's and thrives even more so today. The Montessori approach truly focuses on the whole child.

The idea of giving children free range (free to choose) from "prepared activities" in the home, is our focus today.

The role of education is to interest the child profoundly in an external activity to which he will give all of his potential. ~ Maria Montessori

Montessori By Mom was developed by Nathan and Teresa Hadsall, two teachers whose goal is to empower parents to become educators with unique Montessori activities.

I LOVE THAT MISSION!

Montessori By Mom is Everything you need to focus on fun and learning. You will not have to worry about research, getting prepared, or any DIY materials.

This is perfect for everyone that loves Montessori.

The Montessori activities that we received focused on Language Development, Practical life skills, Math, Fine Motor, Concentration, and more. You will find that with each box you receive, your child will be working on a variety of skills.

What you receive with this wonderful subscription is at least 6-8 different Montessori activities.

All of the materials you will need for these activities

Video instructions (which are AWESOME!!!)

Bonus activities, suggestions, and printables

Also each Montessori By Mom box is a theme for you and your children to enjoy. We love themes in our house, and this shells and starfish box was a perfect fit.

Are you ready for your box?!?!

It's easy and they ship Internationally. YAY!!!

Best part

USE COUPON CODE

AFFKIHU

during check out for $10 OFF

http://www.montessoribymom.com/join/

Interested in Montessori 3 part cards or other activities to add on to your fabulous Shells visit Natural Beach Living for free printables and other ideas.

Visit Natural Beach Living's profile on Pinterest.

Montessori By Mom does recommend their activities for children over 3 years. Some of the items can be a choking hazard if your child is still mouthing items. This was not an issue for me, because my daughter doesn't put things in her mouth. Use your own wise judgement and Enjoy!

June 20, 2014

Learning the Alphabet with Activities and Crafts from A to Z

How much fun is teaching and learning the alphabet?!?! The answer is soooo much fun. If you are looking for some great ways to get your children learning their abc's, look no further. I have packed this page full of fabulous information, crafts, games, sensory play, printables, and more. All for you and your little one.

You can check out all of our Letter of the Week activities
here at Natural Beach Living.

Letter of the Week Alphabet

How about a little Sensory Play with a wonderful alphabet book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at the Beach.

Head over to Teachers of Good Things to see how to teach your children the alphabet with Lego's

Seven Thirty Three shares a fun and easy letter matching game

Learning the alphabet with Nightcrawlers from The Natural Homeschool. The alphabet mixed with Science...Awesome!

Living Montessori Now has many different DIY alphabet boxes, perfect for getting organized too.

You definitely want to check out this amazing abc alphabet flower garden from Buggy and Buddy.

toddler APPROVED has a terrific abc matching game with a train and a super cool sticky wall, check them out.

Lemon Lime Adventures shares an icy i-spy alphabet adventure.

Crystal & Co will have you crafting through the alphabet with these fun projects.

ALLterNATIVELearning has a wonderful themes planer which includes the alphabet. I love free printables, don't you?

totschooling has a great alphabet sorting game with free printables to get your little one learning.

Letter P tot school from The Kavanaugh Report is Perfect!

Letter S week from Wildflower Ramblings was soooo sweet.

School time Snippets, has an abc Carrot Patch sensory experience that is adorable.

If you want to stay up to date and see hundreds of other amazing alphabet crafts and activities, follow me on Pinterest
Visit Natural Beach Living's profile on Pinterest.

June 12, 2014

Easy Edible Ice Cream Dough Sensory Play

Freezy, Easy, Edible, Sensory Play!!!

Yes, it looks like every child's dream ice cream treat, but this has a twist. It's for play time, it's to get sticky, it's to feel the different textures, and it's for their imagination for an ice cream dough creation.

Of course you can add anything to ice cream dough for play. I choose the cookies and brownies because my kids LOVE cookies and brownies. I added the M&M's because I knew they'd be fun, and who doesn't love a little chocolate syrup on top?!!

Amazingly Easy 2 Ingredient Recipe

A bag of Cookie Mix (any flavor) and 1 cup of water
Mix for 3 minutes on Medium Speed (or by hand until it is fluffy)
Freeze (Takes about 3+ hours)

Add any toppings

You might be asking, "why not just eat/make ice cream", but this is different. This is to let them play, to let them get messy, to let them feel the different textures of everything.

"What are they learning with this activity?"

They are using their senses, they are using their imagination, they are working together, they are creating.

It has been proven that children that spend time incorporating sensory play into their lives improve cognitively. It also improves their language and social skills. So play on...

I always love to incorporate books into our activity.
This is one of our favorite ice cream books.
Should I Share My Ice Cream?