Embracing the Montessori approach, we provide a carefully prepared environment that promotes hands-on learning, allowing our children to engage with educational materials at their own pace and discover knowledge through meaningful experiences. Focusing on self-directed learning, we encourage our children to follow their interests and passions, enabling them to take an active role in shaping their educational journey. By providing a wide range of age-appropriate materials and activities, we cater to our children’s individual needs and learning styles, empowering them to become confident and independent learners.

From the Waldorf philosophy, we embrace the profound impact of nature on a child’s holistic development. Nature becomes an integral part of our curriculum, and we regularly venture outdoors to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the natural world. We encourage our children to connect with the natural world, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment.

Incorporating the principles of the Charlotte Mason method, we embrace the idea of “living education” and the use of living books to engage and inspire our children’s learning. We believe in the power of quality literature and its ability to connect our children with ideas, stories, and characters, fostering a love for reading and a genuine interest in learning.

At the heart of our homeschool philosophy lies the belief in cultivating problem-solving skills and nurturing independent thinking. We strive to provide our children with opportunities to think critically, analyze situations, and devise innovative solutions, empowering them to face challenges with creativity and resilience.

In combining the principles of Montessori, Waldorf, and Charlotte Mason, our ultimate goal is to create an enriching and flexible learning environment where our children’s unique strengths and interests can flourish. By embracing this diverse educational approach and encouraging outdoor exploration, we seek to nurture well-rounded individuals who are academically capable, compassionate, curious, and equipped to positively impact the world around them.

The post Our Educational Philosophy appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

Thoughts

I was drawn to this book by the puppy on the cover and the fact that the author, Holly Rosensweig, is a speech-language pathologist. With an infant at home who is rapidly increasing his babbling and a dog that he is obsessed with, it was a perfect fit. I appreciated the parent’s guide at the beginning, which explains how to expand upon the text in the book by describing images, expanding the words into phrases, or acting out the pages. This isn’t something I do naturally with children’s books, so knowing that it’s built into the book’s concept is so helpful. For instance, there are subtle details in the images, like an apple tree, that allows me to have a conversation about apples. The phrases are common, like no, more, and all done, that I could even add simple sign language that we’re teaching to it. Overall, a cute book for infants learning to talk.

Writing Style

Writing style: Simple words and phrases, like “Ready, set, go!” The words are often repeated three times, and some sound words are also included, like a car going “beep beep.”

Lexile Information

• Lexile range (unofficial): 10L – 200L
• Decoding difficulty: 1/5
• Vocabulary difficulty: 2/5
• Sentences difficulty: 1/5
• Patterns difficulty: 4/5

Illustration Style

The illustrations by Emily Rutherford are simple in a good way. There are only a few elements per page to help a child focus on what is included. The color palette is on the pastel side, which is, again, not overwhelming.

Reality-based

Yes, the book describes a day in the life of a puppy. The puppy eats, plays fetch, walks, gets dirty, bathes, and goes to bed.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ninewise Publishing, for this title. All opinions are my own.

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Thoughts

From Egg to Robin follows the progression of eggs hatching, baby robins growing up, becoming independent, and then becoming parents on their own. At the end of the book are some definitions of new words, resources to learn more about birds, and an index of where words are located in the book. These additional features make the book a good example of a reference book while remaining age appropriate.

This book would be a good addition to a unit study on robins. It could be used to introduce the changes with spring. For older children, it could be used as an example for a project where the children make their own reference books.

We repeatedly read the book and matched the photographs to what we saw in the robin’s nest outside, which was a lot of fun. I look forward to getting the other nonfiction books in this series.

Writing Style

Large font sentences on a white background. Key phrases are repeated in the book, such as “keep them warm” and “baby birds”. There is repetition in the word choice as well to help reinforce concepts, such as nest, feathers, eggs, and food.

Lexile Information

• Lexile score: 180L
• Decoding difficulty: 3/5
• Vocabulary difficulty: 4/5
• Sentences difficulty: 2/5
• Patterns difficulty: 3/5

Illustration Style

Photographs of robins and their babies related to the text on the page.

Reality-based

Yes, this is a nonfiction book about the life of robins.

The post From Egg to Robin appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

This post may contain affiliate links. This simply means that I will earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through a link. I would and have recommended all of the products I list even without a link.

Today I want to talk to you about one of my favorite parenting tools – Montessori treasure baskets. Also known as discovery baskets, Montessori treasure baskets encourage babies to explore a set of objects on their own and in their own way. These baskets are typically filled with everyday objects carefully selected to stimulate a child’s senses and curiosity. I’ve seen ones using only kitchen utensils, only the color red, or only starting with a specific letter of the alphabet, but really, the possibilities are endless. But I’ll be honest, although I’m entirely on board, I still struggle to know exactly what to put in one. So in this post, I’ll go over what treasure baskets are, why you should use them, and how to make one (with examples to get started right away).

What are Montessori Treasure Baskets?

Simply put, a Montessori treasure basket is a collection of everyday objects selected to

Benefits of Montessori Treasure Baskets

There are many benefits of using Montessori treasure baskets with your babies. Let’s look at the 5 primary benefits.

1. Encourages sensory exploration

Children are naturally curious and love to touch and explore objects in their environment. I know I’m not the only mom whose child has taken my phone or the remote control to explore. By providing a variety of objects with different textures, shapes, colors, and sizes, children are allowed to engage their senses and explore the world around them in a safe and contained way.

2. Promotes fine motor skills

As your child explores the Montessori treasure basket, they will use their hands and fingers (and probably mouth) to pick up and manipulate the objects. This helps to develop fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and finger strength in a realistic way. Think of how many different shapes of objects you touch throughout the day.

3. Builds vocabulary

Every object has a name, and every object has a list of properties. As a parent, you can narrate what they are doing and increase exposure to new words and phrases. For example, “That’s the red firetruck. Did you notice how the wheels spun?” There is a balance here, though. If you constantly interrupt a baby’s exploration with words, they may not want to continue with the activity. Make sure to look for joint attention and willingness to hear the descriptions. At some point, your child may want to explain the object to you.

4. Encourages independent play

This is one of my favorite benefits. How many times have you wanted to sit down and drink your coffee before it gets cold? Well, Montessori treasure baskets can help with that. Because the objects are carefully selected ahead of time, you can be sure they are safe for your baby to explore without needing to intervene. I love putting out a Montessori treasure basket in the mornings as the day’s first activity.

5. Fosters creativity

There’s no right or wrong way to play with the objects in a Montessori treasure basket. This allows children to make up stories or scenarios with the objects and use them in novel ways. I love to put older, outgrown toy parts in a basket to see the new ways they are played with. It makes me feel like I’m getting more out of the toy, and it helps encourage creativity and imagination.

How to Create a Montessori Treasure Basket

Creating a Montessori treasure basket is easy. Simply grab 4-6 objects and put them in a basket. For older children, you may increase this number. The important part is that they are all visible in the basket at one time. I like these baskets with handles because they are easier for a child to independently get off a shelf and move to their play area. Here are some tips for choosing the right objects.

When selecting objects for your treasure basket, think about ways to engage your child’s senses. Consider objects with different shapes, sizes, and sounds. If you want to create a themed basket, this is the step to think about what that theme is and what would be part of it. Some popular themes are nature or animals, but they can be anything. I love using treasure baskets to introduce a new concept, like colors, beginning sounds, or shapes, in a non-stressful and laid-back way.

This is the most important tip. Ensure that every object you select is safe for your child to explore. Avoid objects that are small enough to be swallowed or pose a choking hazard. Also, ensure that there are no sharp edges or loose parts that could cause injury. I mentioned one of the benefits is independent play, which is only possible if it’s safe!

I lean towards using natural materials, like wood, cotton, or wool, in my treasure baskets. I know my baby will try to eat them, so these materials are safe, non-toxic, and provide a variety of textures to explore.

Finally, don’t be afraid to include everyday objects. In fact, your baby may like these more because they see you interacting with them. Simple things like a wooden spoon, a metal whisk, or a fabric napkin can provide hours of exploration.

Examples of Objects to Include in a Montessori Treasure Basket

“If it’s so easy, why am I struggling to think of objects to include?” If that’s you, don’t worry. I’m the same way. This is the most challenging part for my neurodivergent mind. The possibilities are endless, so I have trouble moving to the concrete. So, here are some suggestions to help you get started. For each of them, make sure it’s safe for your child. While I am providing links to examples you can buy, creating a basket doesn’t need to be expensive. You can use whatever you have at home.

Different textures

• Silk scarf. Sarah’s silks are my favorite and are a staple for Waldorf education.
• Bean bag. These bean bags are made of cotton and are the primary colors, which are great for color-themed baskets.
• Large, smooth stone. Go on a scavenger hunt to find one outside, or quickly buy large river rocks for painting.
• A piece of rough sandpaper. Tons of options for cheap. If you have any of the Montessori sandpaper letters, use the letter your child’s name starts with!
• Small knitted toy. This elephant teething ring is so cute.
• Leather scrap. Here’s a pre-cut leather piece you can buy. Your local craft store is another good option to find this.
• Baby hairbrush. I never thought of using the soft hairbrush until I saw how calm my little one got when I brushed his hair. The goat wool and wood fit perfectly into this category.

Different sounds

• Rattle. This classic Montessori wooden rattle is my favorite.
• Bell. These handbells can also be used as the baby ages for musical development.
• Rainstick. The Hape rainmaker is perfect for a 6-month-old to hold. It rolls though, so be aware!
• Wooden blocks. I got HABA’s basic baby blocks. Similar to the bean bags above, these come in primary colors and can be used for a color-themed basket as well.
• Metal spoon.

Different smells

• Real fruit, like lemons or oranges. Citrus fruits tend to have the strongest smells.
• Cinnamon sticks. This is my favorite smell of all time.
• Fresh herbs. Put these in a small glass jar to make it easier to handle.
• Tea bags. You most likely will want to cut the string off for safety if it has one.

Nature

• Pinecone
• Seashells
• Coconut shell
• Leaves
• Rocks
• Piece of wood

Kitchen supplies

• Whisk
• Honey spoon
• Tea strainer
• Measuring cup
• Wooden spoon

Conclusion

In short, Montessori treasure baskets are a fantastic tool for any parents or caregiver looking to promote learning and development in their little ones. They’re fun, engaging, and allow endless customization to match your child’s interests and abilities. Plus, they promote independent play and creativity, something any busy parent is looking for. Give them a try today. Your child will thank you.

The post Exploring the Montessori Treasure Basket (For Babies) appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

This post may contain affiliate links. This simply means that I will earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through a link. I would and have recommended all of the products I list even without a link.

The famous Montessori shelfie. Social media perfection. The envy of all the cool moms on the block. Let’s be honest, there’s too much attention on curating the perfect shelf to look like a good parent when the focus should be on making sure the activities are suitable for your child’s skills and interests. So why am I posting one?

Part of autism is needing explicit instructions. What toys do I give? Which are safe for my child? What can enhance their development? If we don’t have explicit instructions, we can get stuck in all the possibilities. That sets us up for failure. This is a homeschooling blog with neurodiversity in mind. That doesn’t only mean the children. Neurodivergent parents should have access to explicit instructions on how to homeschool. So, today, I’m sharing a 4-month-old’s shelf.

Toy List

At 4 months, most of our little one’s day is observing what mom and dad are doing, rolling onto his belly, and trying to get to the toys. Because of our increasing ability to determine likes and dislikes, we now have a favorite toy. We’re also working on bringing everything to the mouth, so making sure every toy can be chewed on and eaten is the highest priority.

Nuby Jackie The Giraffe

Jackie the Giraffe comes in as the favorite toy for the month. It was a little hard to grab at the beginning, but no match for TWO HANDS! Just kidding, there was actually a lot of determined frustration over this toy. He even pulled it off the shelf and out of the basket once. That took a solid 30 minutes to do. It’s made of 100% natural rubber and squeaks. You should be aware of this if you have a dog. Our incredibly well-trained dog initially thought it was her toy, but we said “no” and gave her a new lampchop dog toy to make up for it.

Koala Crinkle Sensory Toy with Teether

At 4 months, the sensory system exploded. Touching crinkly fabric to hear the sound it makes became a favorite way to explore cause and effect. However, as with all exploration at this age, putting the fabric into his mouth was also common. I looked for a long time to find a crinkly toy that wasn’t made of Polyester so it would be safe for him to chew. I finally found the Koala crinkle toy with teether. This toy is made of cotton and the teething ring is silicon so it’s easy to pick up and hold. In addition to the crinkle sound, there is also a bell. Since buying one, I’ve gifted it to two friends for their new babies.

Classic Skwish Rattle

The classic skwish rattle is another toy I’ve given as a baby shower gift. We even have two of them, one for upstairs, and one for downstairs, because it was annoying to walk back and forth to get it as we changed who was watching him. The bars easily fit in a 4-month-old’s hands, and the flexible wires decrease the number of times we pick it up because he dropped it. The ends fit in his mouth for easy chewing. The beads make a gentle “clink” sound, which as an autistic mother, I really appreciate. Finally, the whole thing squishes down and bounces back up. This made it safer when he rolls over onto the toy refusing to let go.

Natural Teethers

Here we have three teethers. We don’t tend to give the entire basket at once but grab one at a time to see if he wants it. I choose these three because of the different textures. First, we have a rubber owl. It’s very soft, and bendable, and has several different textures to soothe gums. Next, is the blue silicon teether. This one is the easiest for him to hold independently. He tends to switch between sucking and chomping. Finally, there is the wooden whale teether. A friend made that one for us. Here’s a similar wooden teether from Amazon.

Basket of Balls

This was my first attempt at a treasure basket. I’m not sure it’s been successful, mostly because the balls kept rolling away, frustrating him. I thought of a hack that helped this (see photo), but I will definitely be reintroducing this when he can crawl. There are a ton of sensory balls, but they are almost all plastic. I found some rubber ones, but they smelled like balloons — also not good. These ones are from a set of silicon baby toys. The set also has some cups we use in the bath and some blocks I haven’t put out yet.

Clutching Balls

This wooden clutching toy is perfect for grasping, but it’s probably better suited for 6-month-olds. At 4 months, he was learning to grasp it but was interested in the colors. It’s made of wood and the bright colors are actually non-toxic stains, not paint, so they won’t chip when chewed on. If you’re comparing the size with the balls on the end of the Skwish rattle, these are about double the diameter.

Montessori Spinning Drum

The Montessori spinning drum is probably the only “classic” Montessori toy we used this month, and it’s another one that will grow with us. First, it’s way bigger than I expected! Second, because he can’t sit independently yet, I had to do the spinning. Third, there’s a bell inside that makes a tumbling sound, so we also tried it with him laying down and kicking it to spin. He couldn’t see what he was doing, but he got the hang of it and enjoyed the sound.

The post The Best Toys for Your 4-Month-Old’s Playtime appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

One of the first posts I wrote on this blog was about How To Incorporate Montessori in Your Homeschool. Perhaps unsurprisingly, if you’ve read anything about early childhood education, the first response I got about it was, “What about Waldorf?” Both Montessori and Waldorf have gained popularity in homeschooling. So, to answer that question, join me as we explore the world of Waldorf education together and provide details on how to incorporate Waldorf into homeschooling today.

What is Waldorf?

Waldorf education is a holistic approach to education that focuses on intellectually, emotionally, and physically developing the child. Based on the teachings of Austrian philosopher and educator Rudolf Steiner, its advocates believe that children learn best through hands-on experiences, imaginative play, and creativity.

“The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art-it must speak to the child’s experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as the mind.”

Rudolf Steiner

In Waldorf education, parents create a warm and nurturing learning environment. Natural materials and art are incorporated into all areas of education, and children are encouraged to participate in practical life activities like cooking, gardening, and handiwork. There are no textbooks or exams. Instead, a parent works with their child to develop a customized curriculum based on their strengths and interests. Each lesson is turned into illustrations, which helps your child process information.

Storytelling

One of the unique features of Waldorf homeschooling is the use of storytelling, puppetry, and drama. By engaging a child’s imagination and creativity, academic subjects are brought to life. Through storytelling, children learn about the world around them, fostering a love for learning and a sense of wonder.

In early education, stories are told to teach basic concepts. Fairy tales explain moral lessons, often with a hero and a villain. Nature stories teach children about plants and animals, creating an appreciation for the natural world. Fables help children understand complex ideas. Further, through telling stories, children work on language skills that carry them through life.

Eurythmy: The art of movement

Another unique aspect of Waldorf education is eurythmy, often called the art of movement. Eurythmy is based on rhythm, harmony, and gesture and encourages creativity and self-exploration. At a basic level, movement helps children develop coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. However, this higher-level form also helps connect children to themselves and the world around them, express ideas nonverbally, and get in touch with their emotions.

To see eurythmy in action, watch this video.

Benefits of Waldorf education

There are many benefits of Waldorf education, including:

• Reduced stress. Waldorf education is designed to be a stress-free environment. Studies go at the child’s pace, there is a lot of outdoor time in nature, and there are no exams or traditional grades.
• Better physical health: Waldorf students have significantly fewer physical ailments, such as headaches, stomach aches, or disrupted sleep. Some of this may be attributed to the slower pace of learning.
• Better social and emotional development. About 3/4 of graduates could envision positive environmental and human development changes. They focused on solving problems through improved communication and conflict resolution.

Getting started with Waldorf at home

Does Waldorf sound interesting? Here are four activities to try at home today:

1. Take a nature walk and create art. Collect natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and sticks as you walk. When you get home, use these materials to make a piece of art, such as a mandala.
2. Have a puppet show. Make puppets with your child, then encourage your child to make up a story with them and act it out.
3. Build a dance routine to a favorite song. In Waldorf, movement and music go hand in hand. What better way to show your creativity than by coming up with a dance? Get involved with your child and have them teach you.
4. Bake a cake. Not only does this focus on practical life skills, but it allows you to talk about math and science. It can be great to explain fractions or the chemistry of how the dough rises.

The post 4 Ways to Incorporate Waldorf in Your Homeschool appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

This post may contain affiliate links. This simply means that I will earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through a link. I would and have recommended all of the products I list even without a link.

The goal of threading is to put a guide, such as a string, through a bead. This activity is a precursor to sewing, a practical life skill. Before a child progresses to string, they first work on what you’ll often see called stacking. The “string” in the following activities are stationary dowels, whereas the “bead” is any combination of rings or 3D shapes. These activities help develop fine motor skills, primarily hand-eye coordination, as well as strengthen the muscles in the arms, wrists, and fingers. As we progress through the levels, a child refines their hand movements and develops better hand, wrist, and finger control. The beads become smaller and require more advanced grips and the margin for error with the dowels decreases.

Note: the ages presented here approximate when to introduce the material. However, do not rely solely on these ages. It is better to see what level your child is at and choose the next level activity. A child’s interests and skills vary greatly. If your child is not interested or the material is too difficult, put it away for a few weeks and try again later.

Level 1: Rocking stacker

The first level is a traditional ring stacker with a twist: a rocking base and variable-width rod. This helps prevent the frustration that can occur early on from the stand falling over. In other words, a child’s movements don’t have to be precise, which is great because, at this age, they won’t be!

Approximate age: 8 months

See Level 1 Threading: Rocking Stacker for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 2: Large rings on a vertical dowel

The second level introduces a straight vertical dowel with very large rings. Similar to level 1, there is a high margin of error when putting the rings on, which helps to slowly refine hand movements.

Approximate age: 10 months

See Level 2 Threading: Large Rings on Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 3: Wooden discs on a vertical dowel

Level 3 introduces the wooden discs we will use in many of the future levels. The discs have narrower centers, which require the child to be more precise when placing them on the dowel.

Approximate age: 11 months

See Level 3 Threading: Wooden Discs on a Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 4a: Ring stacker with variable size

Level 4a introduces the first main variation: different-sized rings. If you remember in level 1, I said to hold off on giving all of the rings at once. At that time, we wanted to focus only on putting a ring on the stick. Now, after months of practice, we expect the child to have become very good at that part, so we can introduce a new skill: distinguishing between different sizes.

Approximate age: 12 months

See Level 4a Threading: Ring Stacker with Variable Size for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 4b: Cubes on a vertical dowel

With level 4b, we change the shape of the “bead”. Instead of rings, we now use a 3D cube. This allows the child to refine their grip and further improve hand-eye coordination and grip strength.

Approximate age: 12 months

See Level 4b: Cubes on a Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 5a: Wooden discs on colored dowels

Level 5a adds a new dimension to the already mastered “put disc on vertical dowel” activity in level 3. Now, there are 3 colored dowels as well as 3 different colored discs. This activity then becomes a way to introduce sorting by color.

Approximate age: 15 months

See Level 5a: Wooden Discs on Colored Dowels for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 5b: Multiple 3D shapes on a vertical dowel

By providing multiple 3D shapes, level 5b extends the already mastered cube activity in level 4b. The different shapes provide further refinement of a child’s grip and we begin sorting by shape.

Approximate age: 15 months

See Level 5b: Multiple 3D Shapes on a Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 6: Wooden discs on a horizontal straight dowel

Level 6 switches from a vertical dowel to a horizontal one, allowing fine motor refinement in a new axis of motion.

Approximate age: 16 months

See Level 6: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Straight Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 7: Wooden discs on a horizontal serpentine dowel

The final level uses a curvy, or serpentine, dowel. The curvy dowel combines moving in multiple axes at once to accomplish a goal.

Approximate age: 17 months

See Level 7: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Serpentine Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Montessori Threading Activities appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

The final level uses a curvy, or serpentine, dowel. The curvy dowel combines moving in multiple axes at once to accomplish a goal.

Primary Goals

• Strengthen arm and wrist muscles.
• Refine pincer grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• Develop hand dominance.

Approximate age

17 months, or as soon as the child is comfortable with the straight horizontal dowel in Level 6.

Materials

Discs on horizontal dowel variation: serpentine

Presentation

• Place the discs in a basket next to the base in a tray.
• Help your child bring the tray to the work area. (Carrying objects while walking appears around 18 months, so modify the amount of help on what they are able to do.)
• Place the base with the dowel pointing to the right.
• With your right hand and the pincer grasp, take a disc out of the basket.
• Slowly and carefully put it on the dowel.
• Repeat with the remaining discs.
• One at a time, remove the discs from the dowel.
• Offer the child a turn and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the discs back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Help the child return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

None. Use the previous level with the straight horizontal dowel.

Extensions

Once putting the discs on with the dowel pointing right is mastered, rotate it to point left and have the child use the other hand to put it on.

The post Level 7 Threading: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Serpentine Dowel appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

Level 6 switches from a vertical dowel to a horizontal one, allowing fine motor refinement in a new axis of motion.

Primary Goals

• Strengthen arm and wrist muscles.
• Refine pincer grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• Develop hand dominance.

Approximate age

16 months

Materials

Discs on horizontal dowel toy

Presentation

• Place the discs in a basket next to the base in a tray.
• Help your child bring the tray to the work area. (Carrying objects while walking appears around 18 months, so modify the amount of help on what they are able to do.)
• Place the base with the dowel pointing to the right.
• With your right hand and the pincer grasp, take a disc out of the basket.
• Slowly and carefully put it on the dowel.
• Repeat with the remaining discs.
• One at a time, remove the discs from the dowel.
• Offer the child a turn and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the discs back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Help the child return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

None

Extensions

Once putting the discs on with the dowel pointing right is mastered, rotate it to point left and have the child use the other hand to put it on.

The post Level 6 Threading: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Straight Dowel appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

By providing multiple 3D shapes, level 5b extends the already mastered cube activity in level 4b. The different shapes provide further refinement of a child’s grip and we begin sorting by shape.

Primary Goals

• Develop visual discrimination, specifically in shapes and colors.
• Refine palmar grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• [Math] Introduce understanding size, shape, and patterns.

Approximate age

15 months

Materials

The best version I’ve seen is colored solids on dowels. Something to be mindful of is each of the 3D shapes in that toy is different colors, so it won’t be clear whether your child is sorting by color or shape. That’s okay for now because both develop visual discrimination, but you’ll want to make sure there are many other opportunities to work on each individually.

Presentation

When presented with this activity, the child should already be familiar with the single peg variation. Instead of showing them step by step as in previous levels, let them explore and problem-solve. If they do not realize to match the shapes after a while, change the setup and start with the completed version.

• Option 1: Place the 3D objects on the base of the stand on a tray.
• Option 2: Place the completed puzzle on the tray.
• Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
• Present them with the activity and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the objects back on the stand and put them on the tray.
• Return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

N/A

Extensions

By using the stand from level 5a, you can force sorting by color so each shape goes on the corresponding colored peg. Once your child has a good grasp on grouping by color or shapes, you can begin to teach the names when they put the object on the peg.

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