Practical Life Supplies

Another place I didn't mention you can get a wonderful deal on child size kitchen items is your local restaurant supply company. A lot of times you will find that they sell to the general public and carry many of the same items as some of the Montessori catalogs do. Find out if there is a restaurant supply company in your area and take a catalog with you. Look for items like ramekins, small pitchers or creamers, condiment bowls, etc. You may even find some cultural items like Asian rice bowls and sushi dishes.

Be sure to also check your local ethnic food stores for child size kitchen and practical life items. At a Mexican grocery store in my area, you can find a child size wash board, mortar and pestle, and child size broom. We are also very lucky to have a diverse Asian market nearby and have found some nice pieces to add to our practical life kitchen items.

Have you shopped at an ethnic food store or restaurant supply company for your Montessori classroom?

National Gallery of Art for Kids!

My 7 year olds art work

The National Gallery of Art has some absolutely wonderful resources for kids online! The picture above was created on their website by my 7 year old. The NGA has an interactive art zone that children can use like the one used to create the picture above, and it also has some WONDERFUL video tours for kids! We really enjoyed watching The Voyage of Life (1842) by Thomas Cole. They also have a resource section for students and teachers, as well as a material lending program!

Let me know what you think of these resources! We've also got the Child Size Masterpieces collection and the children have really enjoyed those as well. Montessori Print Shop also has an amazing collection of famous artist 3-part cards and more. The NGA website could be a great extension to those. Enjoy!

Cleaning up & Clearing out!

It's that time of the year again folks! Cleaning up and clearing out the classroom to make way and be ready for the school year this Fall. I've been contemplating what to sell and what to keep so that all of the children will fit in our little home classroom. So far, here are a few items I've decided to sell:

North American Montessori Center(NAMC)  6-9 Botany Manual in like new condition! This is their latest manual. Asking $80 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

North American Montessori Center(NAMC)  6-9 Zoology Manual in like new condition! This is their latest manual. Asking $80 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

North American Montessori Center(NAMC)  3-6 Classroom guide, also asking $80 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

A set of 12 beautiful insects in acrylic blocks for observation. $20 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A Sold

Montessori Colored Tablets 3rd box. $40 with Free shipping within the continental U.S.A.

Email me at montessoricandy at gmail.com if you are interested in any of the items mentioned above!

Speaking of bugs in acrylic, here's a link to an eHow article on how to make your very own!
How To Set Bugs in Acrylic

U.S.A. Map Giveaway!

Copyright Montessori Print Shop

Jennifer at Montessori Print Shop is giving away wooden U.S.A. Montessori Puzzle map. She's so sweet and generous! Check out my interview with her HERE, and be sure to enter the giveaway at Jennifer's Montessori Print Shop blog.

Can You Make Your Baby Smarter, Sooner?

I had an interesting conversation with a very sweet and caring kindergarten teacher last night. She was so saddened to see how many children enter her classroom without even knowing how to color! It just broke my heart to hear that. This teacher was saying that if parents would only spend a little time with their children, instead of opting to let them play video games or watch television, these children would be better equipped to begin their school years.

Interesting story over at NPR about video's marketed as helping to make your baby smarter.
The bottom line of the story? Parents, interact with your children! :) Reading, talking, and just plain spending time with your children will benefit them socially, cognitively, emotionally, and physically. Mom and dad are way better for baby than any "educational" video out there.

June Inspiration

Here's a little June/Summer inspiration from around the web to get you and your  child's creative juices flowing. Have fun exploring these links, but more importantly, get up and try some of the ideas once you've been inspired!



Have you read Counting Coconuts? It is one of my very favorite blogs for Montessori inspired children's activities. Mari-Ann does a great job of sharing what is on her Montessori shelves for the month, as well as giving great ideas for making I spy bottles, sensory tubs and more! Check out what she's got on the shelf for the month of June.

The Crafty Crow was created by Cassie as a place to keep track of all the great arts and crafts ideas for kids around the web. Check out her growing list of links for Summer and Outside activities.

Rhythm of the Home is a seasonal online, family magazine. With categories such as Warmth, Play, Celebration, and Connection, you're bound to be inspired!