A GFCF, Plant-Strong Christ the King Liturgical Tea

Today, one of the words we will focus on in our Advent Alphabet is “Jesus”.

Our Baby with a Crown on to Show that Jesus Is the King of His Heart

I know Jack will be excited each time we read a story or do an activity about Jesus today.   At 2 ½, he definitely feels connected to the infant Jesus and calls out “Baby God” whenever he sees a depiction of the Christ Child.  It makes me melt!

Nina, Sharing Her Coloring of Christ the King

Nina and Luke will surely enjoy our “Jesus” focus today, too.  It will mean that they get to spend more time on a project that they began yesterday towards the tail end of our morning learning period and are eager to get back into -- constructing a nativity scene out of blocks and homemade figurines.  Plus, during read aloud time, will be able to catch up on a favorite Advent read, The Jesse Tree, diving further into faith history and the lineage of Jesus.  Moreover, we will discuss how Jesus is not just a historical figure, but one who remains present today in Heaven, in the Eucharist and in our hearts.

Luke added special detail to the circle jewel at the top of the crown.  He decided to make it look more like earth, to remind us that Jesus came to earth for us.

Speaking of Jesus in our hearts, I realized last that that although I shared last minute planning ideas for our Christ the King Liturgical tea, I never shared how it actually went.

So, here’s a picture recap:

Decoration

Ready to Dig In

Unfortunately, I failed to get a good picture of our table decorations, but I can provide a verbal snapshot:  Since Jesus is king of Heaven and Earth, Nina decided we should use two tablecloths to symbolize each place.  So, we used a blue one for Heaven and a cream one for Earth.  At the end of the table, we placed a basket with some of our activities in it.  In front of the basket was a printed Christ the King image.  To one side, was a candle with a paper crown that Nina had made around it and, to the other side, was a candle with Mary on it, which Nina insisted we use since Mary is now alongside Jesus in Heaven as the Queen of Heaven. 

GFCF, Plant-Strong Tea Time Fare

 

We enjoyed drinking Royal Punch (purplish-red colored 100% juice that, as Nina pointed out, could remind us not only of the royal color purple, but of the blood of Jesus as shared during Mass) and chocolate almond milk (because the kids don’t like real tea, but LOVE this and, because, as one of the kid suggested, the color reminds us of Earth, where Jesus came as child and king.)

Apple slice hearts did not work so well, so we just made one crowned heart.

Apple Slices, including a heart shaped one with a Summer Squash Crown (to remind us that Jesus is King of our Hearts – and to harken back to faith history and the Garden of Eden)  We placed these between our “Heaven” and “Earth” tablecloths, to symbolize that Jesus’ love for us and ours for Him is our way from Earth to Heaven.

Okay, so the clouds could have been better shaped.

A Pineapple Crown at the center of a Blueberry “Sky” with Banana Slice “Clouds” (to remind us that Christ is the King of Heaven)  We placed these, of course, on the “Heaven” side of the table.

Of course, this plate was refilled more than once with our carb-and-spread-aholics.  Thankfully, the greens were, too.

Crackers spread with Hummus, Peanut Butter and Almond Butter, with a Summer Squash Crown at their center and Baby greens interspersed throughout (to remind us of the Earth, where Christ came to be a different kin of King – one who leads by serving)  We placed these on the “Earth” side of the table.

We also had Mango Sorbet, which I forgot to get a picture of, because Nina waned it and persuasively suggested that it is the color of a crown.

Prayer

Not traditional prayer in this pic, but age-appropriate activity which focused the kids' eyes on Christ the King.

Since I don’t normally take pictures while we pray, you can simply imagine the kids itching to dig into all the food after saying their own impromptu prayer, while I insisted on reading them the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King as found at Catholic Culture:

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.

Prayer Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences , June 29, 1968

Activities

Made from Our Christ the King Day Brainstorm of Ideas

While eating, as planned, I mentioned Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks as shared at Catholic Culture that  Christ’s kingship is not based on “human power” but on loving and serving others and connected this thought to the homily our local priest had offered that morning about earthly kings often ruling with a scepter that can bonk one on the head while Jesus ruled through service, with a towel and a bowl washing other’s feet.  Then, we brainstormed ideas for how to love and serve others, which became the suggestions for our Advent chain this year.

We also led the kids in singing the Christ the King song found at CyberFaith.com:

Luke was the first to dive into crown-designing, which he did completely free-style, as is his gift.

After eating everything served on the table, plus extra servings from the counter, the kids designed their own homemade crowns with heart shapes to remind us all that Christ is King of our Hearts.

Nina followed suit.

The children also enjoyed coloring images of Christ the King from Sanctus Simpliticus and Sermons4Kids.

Then, while coloring, she decided her crown should have more hearts.  So, she asked me to cut two more, which she added, before beaming about Christ, King of Heaven, Earth and our Hearts.

As the kids made their crowns and did their coloring, I did as I had planned to do, an borrowing from Amy at Splendor in the Ordinary, discussed the fact that although “we pay special attention to Christ's kingship this day, He is King throughout the year... and throughout all of history.

Jack, Just Beginning to Color

Extensions

Luke's Completed Coloring and Narration

After the tea, the children narrated to me about Christ the King, and later, put their coloring pages in their faith binders.

The day after our tea, we continued our Christ the King focus by doing the word search from Sanctus Simpliticus and parts of Mama Erika’s Raising Little Saints Feast of Christ the King packet during lesson time. 

I know these photos won’t help others much right now – since Christ the King day has passed for this year.  However, they can be bookmarked or pinned for next year’s planning.  Some of the food ideas can also be used on Epiphany – for there’s nothing like whole food crowns, right?

Are you planning any meals connected to the Liturgical Year soon?

This post is being shared at the Saint Cele-Linky at Equipping Catholics, where you can find many other ideas for celebrating the Liturgical year.  It is also now being re-shared at Worth Revisiting Wednesday at Reconciled to You.

Candy Cane Legend Book and Craft Tray

As we made our way through the first days of our Literature-Rich Advent Alphabet last week, one of Luke, Nina and Jack’s favorite activities was a tray created around a craft that is hardly original, but which is definitely worth reminding others to enjoy at this time of year.  That is, they loved our:

Candy Cane Legend Book and Craft Tray

A Picture Book-Inspired Tray with Faith, Early Literacy, Practical Life, Fine Motor and Math Connections

A Meaningful Craft Tray for Less than $5

Materials

• a large basket
• copies of The Legend of the Candy Cane, The Candymaker's Gift: The Legend of the Candy Cane and/or J Is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told.
• small containers of red and white beads
• a handful of white chenille sticks
• one or more trays

Goals

Nina loved this activity the most!

(1) Recall the legend of a candy cane.
(2) Create the alphabet letters “c” and “j”.
(3) Experiment with patterns while stringing beads.
(4) Offer a fun, focused opportunity for fine motor control,  hand-eye coordination and patience.

Set Up

1.      Place copies of The Legend of the Candy Cane, The Candymaker's Gift: The Legend of the Candy Cane and/or J Is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told in a large basket.  (If you don't have access to these, simply search “candy cane legend” or “candy cane legend poem” for brief online versions of the legend to share the faith-based symbolism of candy canes with children.  Then, search for images of candy canes with varying patterns/thicknesses of stripes to inspire different beading patterns.)

2.      In front of these, place a handful of white chenille sticks and several small containers of red and white pony beads.  (We used recycled, single-serve apple sauce containers for our pony beads.  Glass, ceramic or wooden bowls would be more appealing. Holiday patterned ones might be more fun.)

3.      Place the basket on a large tray.(We used the top of a bed tray that long since lost it's legs.  An inexpensive plastic holiday tray might be a fun alternative.)

4.      If desired, put a stack of other trays nearby so multiple children can enjoy the activity at once.  (We use ones we have around the house, including dollar store aluminum cookie trays and wooden trays from our wedding.)

Procedure

Luke, Proud of His AA-BB and A-B-A-B Patterns

1.      Pre-read The Legend of the Candy Cane, The Candymaker's Gift: The Legend of the Candy Cane and/or J Is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told with children.

2.     Present the book and craft tray, asking children to retell one or more of the stories in their own words, or to explain the symbolism of the candy cane.

3.     If children are unfamiliar with beading activities, demonstrate how to take a bead form the container and to string it on a chenille stick.  Go especially slowly when demonstrating how to twist the chenille stick around the first and last beads to keep the rest of the beads from falling off.

4.      Suggest looking at the illustrations in the book to get ideas for beading patterns.

5.      If necessary, demonstrate how to shape finished bead sticks into candy cane shapes.

Skills, Learning and Concepts

• Faith (the legend connects the color and shape of the candy cane to Christian history)
• Early Literacy (retelling stories, making bead sticks into the letter “c” for candy cane and then shaping them into the letter “J” for Jesus before turning them upside down to make shepherd crook shapes)
• Practical Life (creating ornaments, perhaps to be used as gifts; exercising eye-hand coordiantion)
• Fine Motor (picking up pony beads; stringing beads on chenille sticks; twisting chenille sticks around beads at the beginning and end of beading; manipulating finished bead sticks into candy cane shapes)
• Math (creating and talking about patterns, such as A-B-A-B or AA-BB-AA-BB, or A-BB-A-B-A—A-BB-A-B-A)
• Art (discussing lines, shapes and colors)
• Focus (concentrating stringing and remaining patient while coordinating movement to string beads)

Notes/Quick Tips/Extensions

At 2 1/2, Jack was completely engaged in this activity.

• Children of all different ages and skills?  Differentiate by using various shaped and sizes of beads, paying more attention to the size of the inside hole in them than the shape or size of the outer portion, to increase or decrease the attention needed to string the beads onto the chenille sticks.

• Of course, pony beads can be a choking hazard and chenille sticks can have sharp ends that can scratch skin or poke an eye out.  Use common sense precautions when presenting this activity to young children.  If you are concerned about the ends of the chenille sticks, use needle nose pliers to turn the pointy, wiry bits down in order to make more rounded end points.

• Don’t want to play find-and-pick-up-the-pony-beads all week?  You might not want to leave this tray constantly available or your two-year-old, like mine, could become so overjoyed with the sound of cascading pony beads that you find your entire living room floor decorated with spilled beads.

• Concerned about historical accuracy?  Be aware that the candy cane legend is just that, a legend.  Perhaps discuss with older children how faith ideas are often layered onto pre-existing traditions, creating beautiful “new” symbolism.

• No beads around?  No problem?  Children can also enjoy making candy canes, while getting a fine motor workout, by simply twisting red and white chenille sticks around one another.

• Discouraged beaders?  Adapt!  Cut the chenille sticks in half or even in thirds to lessen the amount of actual beads that need to be strung to make a candy cane.

• Have a low budget?  Do not disregard this activity.  If you have a Dollar Tree nearby, the activity can cost $5 of less.  A bag of red beads, a bag of white beads and  package of chenille sticks that includes white ones can be had for $3.  If you have no basket or tray about, an aluminum cookie tray and a basket can be purchased for an extra $2.

• Planning a party or playdate?  Check out the ideas at the end of The Candymaker's Gift: The Legend of the Candy Cane.  They include a menu of candy cane celebration activities, instructions for making candy cane themed decorations and a list of Bible verses that support each of the ways candy canes can be used as faith symbols. 

Homeschool Methods and Approaches Connections

• Montessori:  This activity makes an excellent one for the Practical Life shelves.
• Workboxing:  Skip the tray and simply slip a book, a baggie of beads and some chenille sticks into a box or drawer.
• Reggio:  Skip the demonstrations.  Leave the basket out at a provocation and see where the children take the idea.
• Sensory Smart:  Use this activity when calming and focusing are in order, but bracket it with activities that will warm your child up for fine motor challenges and give your child enough gross motor heavy work to balance the sedentary nature of the craft.

If you have tried this or other beading activities, we’d love for you to share your own tweaks and experiences.  We’d also love to hear about other Legend of the Candy Cane crafts and activities your children enjoy.   to hear how it went.  We’d also love to your ideas for variations, extensions and sensory connections.  Please share!

Please note: Links to Amazon within this post and others are affiliate ones. Should you choose to click through one to make an Amazon purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the sale. This does not cost you anything, but is a choice we thank you for making. Anything we make from links goes straight back into training up our children and to much of what we share with you here. Thank you!

Want to be inspired with others' Montessori ideas and work?  Click on over to Montessori Monday and enjoy.

Ecclesia Domestica: A Reflection on the Last Seven Years of Living with in Our Domestic Church

As I first sat down to write today, Mike was out at a meeting.

Nina was bouncing and singing as she led Jack in constructing a fort out of stools, boxes, a chair, a cradle mattress, some Montessori work rugs and sundry other items that they had collected from our kitchen and living room.

Meanwhile, Luke had populated a foot stool with an elaborate “army guys” battle scene, which he then began to narrate and enact.

All three of my children were happily engaged in constructing play.  So, I decided to take advantage of the relative quiet of the moment in order to translate some thoughts that I was having about our domestic church into words to share here.

However, as my computer booted up, the focused intent of my children broke down.  No sooner did the computer screen indicate that all was ready for me to begin writing then did my children’s choices demand just the opposite.

So it was that my thoughts were redirected to my children’s needs and writing was put on pause....

Now, several hours later, I find myself sitting in the quiet of my living room after cuddling Nina into slumber and bidding goodnight to the boys, who Daddy is still trying to get to sleep.

Luke’s persistent voice chatters on to Daddy down the hall as my own inner voice tries to translate earlier thoughts into coherent words.

Those words don’t want to come though.

Instead, a patchwork of memories envelopes me, in gratitude:

Seven years ago at this moment, Mike and I were ogling our first born.  Exhausted after over 12 hours of labor, including four of pushing, we beamed at our five pound, nine ounce blessing who had let out his first cry just several hours prior.  We were filled with a new understanding of love.  We were overcome by an unequaled sense of awe at both the beauty and the responsibility that we held, quite literally, in our arms...

Five and a half years ago, we welcomed our second child into this world – a child who continues to shine with an incredible heart of compassion and charity, even in between her five-year-old tantrums.  A little girl who has taught me as much in her short life thus far as I think I have taught her...

Two and half years ago, our surprise third arrived.   Our youngest child, who is just beginning to test limits with his decided independence, but who has long since proven to Mike and me just how limitless God’s wisdom is.  We were not sure that we were ready for another child when we realized we had conceived one.  That child was ready for us though.  And what joy he has brought our family...

For seven years now, Mike and I have been given countless opportunities to create a home that is a quintessential “first school of Christian life”, a place of “prayer”, “thanksgiving”, “self-denial”, “active charity”, “endurance”, “joy of work”,” love”, and “generous – even repeated – forgiveness.” 

Tonight, as I reflect upon paragraphs 1657-8 of the Catechism, I realize how many times Mike and I have fallen short of our charge.

I can clearly recollect moments when I have not acted by “word and example” as a “first herald of faith”.  I have put business and busyness above prayer.  I have bemoaned challenges instead of counting blessings.  I have lashed out when disturbed as I went about self-centered activities.  I have acted unkindly.  I have lacked stamina.  I have grumbled through work.  I have held onto frustrations and expressed anger instead of releasing such destructive tendencies in order to embrace peace and forgiveness.  In short, I have fallen prey to vices.

Thankfully, I have also embraced countless moments or grace. 

I have received absolution, gratefully, more than once.

Together with Mike, I have intentionally sought to honor the privilege of parenting and, in doing so, have discovered the divine even in the everyday – the miraculous moments that stand still for their love and warmth.  The fabric of family life that is woven during times of connection – and even correction.   The power of charity extended to us and through us.  The coziness of hope and the security of promise that blanket us even when we are restless so that we might hunker down into peace.  

Tonight, as I  reflect upon the last seven years of living in our Ecclesia Domestica, I recognize that they have been wrought with the imperfection of my humanity.  Yet they have also been glorified by the gift of unconditional love.

I am not always a perfect conduit of  this love.  Thankfully, I am not expected to be.   I am simply invited to share it.

Oh, how glad I am!  And, how lucky that I have been able to extend that invitation to three young children who challenge me as much as they delight me, whose  being I am ever so grateful for.

As you look toward the celebration of Baby Jesus’ birth and recall that He chose to be born and brought up in the bosom of a family, what thoughts about your own family’s experience as a domestic church come to mind?  

 

(If you receive this post via email and cannot see the linky, be sure to actually click over to the blog to read browse the rich catalog of ideas there.)

 

The Countdown is On: Making Paper Advent Chains

As a part of our first day of Advent plans yesterday, we made our annual Advent Chain -- a simple and fun way for the children and us to countdown the days until we celebrate the birth of Jesus while also focusing on how He lives within each of us.

The Ideal:  Two Montessori Trays for Making Paper Advent Chains

Flashback:  Nina concentrates as she cuts strips last year.

I had imagined setting up two Montessori trays this year to make our Advent Chain:

• one with purple paper, a ruler, kid-sized scissors and a pencil, so that the children could draw and cut straight lines to make our Advent chain strips,
• and, another with the cut paper strips, a pen and the children’s ideas for serving others written out on strips that the children could be used for copywork.

The Real:  A More Free Flow Activity to Transition to Quiet, Focused Time

Drawing Straight Lines

However, Sundays are a bit too free-flow around here for such structure, so, yesterday, we kept the essence of the project, but not the arrangement.  Instead of working from pre-prepared Montessori trays, we set about the project with a more impromptu nature.

After some outdoor family time, Jack needed a nap and Luke and Nina needed a semi-structured activity to help them transition from boisterous outdoor play to quiet (i.e. brother needs a nap) indoor pursuits.  So, upon spying some construction paper I’d purchased for our Advent lessons sitting on the kitchen counter top, I decided that preparing our Advent Chain would be a perfect activity!

Out came a ruler, some writing utensils and the adult scissors, which were all readily available in the kitchen.  Down sat Luke and Nina.  And, the project was underway.

Nina and Luke concentrated on drawing lines and cutting along them to make paper strips for our chain.  They asked if they could make pink ones as well as purple ones this year, which I was happy to agree to.  By doing so, I was able to weave in some patterning discussion – asking the kids what type of pattern we should make and, then, proceeding to help create an A-B-A-B pink-and-purple chain.

Since the children were in more of a construction mood than a writing one, I forwent the copywork idea I had originally had for our Advent Chain project this year and simply wrote out the children’s ideas on each chain link myself.  As I did, I smiled at the works of service that they had come up with during our Christ the King liturgical tea last week.  During the tea, we had discussed how Christ the King, unlike many worldly rulers, leads by serving.  Then, the children had brainstormed ways that we, as a family, might serve others during Advent.  The breadth of their ideas – and the depth of some of them – impressed me as I rewrote them on our Advent chain.

The First Link Accomplished

"We did this!"

Finally, we hung the chain up high in our living room, so Jack won’t be apt to tear it apart, and Nina excitedly took down the first link – an idea the children had come up with last week which I had purposely put at the end of the chain as the children had already accomplished its suggestion today. 

“Give stuff to other people,”  it said.  At Mass, they had given an extra copy of one of our Christmas board books to a family with three young children.  This small gesture of kindness was a HUGE thing for them, in my opinion, as it demonstrated growth in areas of character development and social skills that they have been working on:  not hoarding things we don’t need, sharing, approaching others and getting their attention with politeness, speaking up with people they might not know, etc.  Not to mention it started our Advent off right with a focus on Faith, Others, then Selves.

Undoubtedly, the next 22 days will be filled with similar growth as the children work to honor all the ideas they brainstormed on Christ the King day.

Academic Links for the Next 22 Days

 

To keep us accountable to our focus of service – as well as to add an easy dimension to our Math work this month – I made a simple bar graph for the kids and I to fill out daily. 

Additionally, we will use the chain for practice with counting, addition, subtraction, concepts of time, etc.

Since some of the ideas the children brainstormed involve gifting things to others, practical life skills will be inspired aplenty.  Likewise, there will be handwriting practice as the children write notes and make cards.

And, of course, Luke will work on decoding as he attempts to read some of the links.

For Posterity

Nina with Last Year's Advent Chain

Since I already tossed the paper from the kids’ original brainstorm into the recycling bin and the idea are now hidden inside each chain link loop, I cannot share what the kids’ ideas were this year just yet.  However, for posterity, I would like to list some of the ideas that the kids came up with for last year’s chain.  For it is not from the wind that they get their bad habit of squirreling things away unnecessarily.  In recent weeks, I found a stack of last year’s purple strips that I had kept for who knows what reason.  They are now headed to recycling, too, but first, let me share some of them:

• “Make a card for someone.”
• “Paint a picture for someone.”
• “Hug someone.”
• “Visit a neighbor.”
• “Play ball with Jack.”
• “Let Mommy have computer time.”
• “Make Luke’s bed.”
• “Rub someone.”  (i.e. offer a back massage at nap or bedtime)
• “Offer a compliment.”
• “Say something nice.”
• “Tell Daddy he runs faster than us.”
• “Tickle Jack.”
• “Make books.  Read them to see if they’re good and give them away.  If they’re not good, don’t give them away.”
• “Make a bird house.”
• “Protect the birds by saying, ‘Shoo, squirrel, shoo!’”
• “Kiss someone.”
• “Feed the birds.”
• “Pick a room and do a ten-minute cleaning.”
• “Clean all the doorknobs and light switches.”
• “Make a welcome sign.”
• “Give our neighbor’s food.”
• “Let Jack play with us.”
• “Make Mommy’s bed.”
• “Skip computer time to play with the kids.”
• “Let Nina go first at something.”

As I recall, I helped the kids brainstorm some of these ideas last year by asking how we might be kind to one another, help people in our neighborhood, help the poor, prepare our home for unexpected guests, etc.  From there, they came up with the ideas.

Flashback to Last Year:  Luke Making Our Advent Chain

Do you make Advent, or Christmas Countdown, Chains?  If so, do you have children generate their own ideas, do you come up with them or do you use a pre-made printable?  What is the focus of your chain?  Service?  Fun?  Prayer?  Family time?  Some combinations of all of them?  We’d love to hear your thoughts.

 This post is being shared over at Montessori Monday.  Click on over to be inspired by many home and school ideas.

Happy New Year: A Quick Round Up of Free Liturgical Calendar Printables

Flashback to Last Year:  Jack

“Happy New Year!” the kids told Grammy last night before leaving the church where we’d gone to see their cousin and our friends in a Christmas pageant.

Grammy smiled and gave them a hug.  “Oh, I think you will see me before the New Year.” 

I then explained that they meant the Liturgical New Year, which starts today.  With all the hubbub of photo taking after the pageant, it had slipped Grammy’s mind that Advent starts today, and with it, the new church year.

Flashback:  Luke

Grammy smiled again and returned the kids’ greeting.

Now, this morning, I am busy printing out Liturgical Calendars to put up with the kids today. 

 

I have already collected bells and other instruments from the basement to ring in the New Year with, a game or two to play after breakfast (just as we do with family on the calendar New Year) and newspaper for making paper hats.

Flashback:  Nina and Mommy

In a minute, I will be off to make our Liturgical New Year breakfast.  But, before I do, I just wanted to wish everyone a blessed Advent and a Happy New Liturgical Year!

I also wanted to share three great sources for free printable Liturgical Calendars:

• There's a printable monthly calendar at Crusaders for Christ.
• Sanctus Simpliticus has an extensive collection of printables for a Liturgical year bulletin board calendar.
• Michele Quigley offers printable Liturgical Year wheels of varying sizes and forms, including a blank form, one for coloring, one for the Extraordinary form and one for the Ordinary form.

While you are printing, you might also want to check out the Literature Rich Advent of Faith, Others, then Selves that I posted a printable of the other day.  It includes key words, Montessori ideas, sensory ideas, book titles and more for enjoying an alphabet of Advent fun.

Flashback:  Jack and Daddy

 

How will you celebrate the Liturgical New Year?

 

(If you receive this post via email and cannot see the linky, be sure to actually click over to the blog to read browse the rich catalog of ideas there.)

 

Our home is Montessori-inspired.  However, I admit that Montessori purists who visit it -- as well as those who visit this blog -- may not see how at first.  So, I wanted to share a bit about our Montessori journey:

When my husband and I were first drawn to homeschooling, it was in large part due to a desire to offer a Montessori education to our eldest son.  Since then, we have been through periods of focusing on Montessori as well as ones of meandering through ideas born from such approaches as Charlotte Mason, Reggio Emilia and Classical.  Most recently, to the outside eye, we probably look like we are Unschooling by default.  Still, I consider us mostly Montessori.

Why?

As I reflect on our homeschooling journey so far, I realize that while our home has yet to metamorphis into one that "looks" Montessori and our activities from week-to-week sometimes are not ones a Montessori-purist would recognize, my heart is inspired by Maria's work.  Montessori philosophy continues to be an enormous influence on how we not only educate our children, but parent them.

Bear with me a moment through a seeming non-sequitar, and I will illuminate this...

Prior to marriage and kids, I recall several periods of my life when I was faced with depression.  Three strategies "worked" to get me out of these periods:

1. Working from the outside in.  Making a conscious effort to smile and appear happy.  Eventually, the joy I acted out for others seeped back into my true being.
2. Working from the inside out.  Using prayer and reflection to bring myself to a place of peace and acceptance.  In time, it turned to outward happiness once more.
3. Exercising like mad.  Running, swimming and just keeping moving until I was too exhausted to do anything but sleep.  The endorphins kicked in to get me through the more mundane parts of my days and, eventually, it appeared I'd moved past the depression.

I liken our family's Montessori journey to this:

1. Modeling our physical environment and activities after those in a traditional Montessori classroom.   When time, space and budget allow me to do this (and maintain it!) I begin to feel very Montessorian and see my children benefit from the efforts.
2. Reading and reflecting about Montessori principles and applying them.  When life gets out-of-whack, the house becomes less than Montessori-looking and Unschooling-type periods occur, I find that if I stick to the idea of "following the child", being an Observer and still trying to stay aware to my children's interests and needs, providing them with appropriate challenges and work, we do well.  We may not look Montessori, but we live it.
3. Pushing through.  Inevitably, when faced with unexpected challenges, multiple weekly appointments, etc., sometimes time or focus for maintaining a Montessori environment and finding time to plan and reflect is is short supply.  During these times, it try to just roll with it.  Eventually, things normalize again.

Where we are on any given day when someone drops by our home or our blog reflects these three approaches.  Whether we are experiencing one, two or three, at our core, we are still quite Montessori.

Want to see some short snippets and longer explanations and reflections of our Montessori-inspired work and thoughts, click on over.