February, often known as the month of love, is a reminder of the importance of the bonds we share with our loved ones. You can cultivate a strong bond with your child beginning at birth. As you welcome your little one to the world, and create a nurturing environment, you will be laying a lifelong foundation for trust and compassion.
As your baby grows into a toddler, Montessori activities allow a parent to give their child a safe environment to grow and thrive. Collaborating together on activities continues to grow that bond with an added bonus of developing your child’s fine motor skills.
Heart-Shaped Sandwich
Allowing your child to participate in activities in the kitchen allows your little one to make a real contribution to the family. Your child will feel a sense of importance and belonging as they create a Valentine’s-themed sandwich to share with someone they love.
Creating a heart-shaped sandwich is a great multi-step process for little ones to practice following, which will build a foundation for executive functioning.
Executive functioning is a term often used in Montessori. It’s the ability to focus on a bigger picture, plan ahead, as well as regulate emotions and impulses. Activities with multiple steps allow little ones to practice these skills in a prepared setting and environment. As they mature and grow into academic students and ultimately adults in the workforce these are the skills that are the most important to be successful and productive.
This activity can be simplified for younger children by removing steps and pre-slicing the strawberries.
Flower Arranging
Children get excited about the act of giving and caring for others. The act of creating a bouquet can allow for a rich language lesson as you talk about which flowers Grandma loves. For example, talk with your child about the flowers using the specific names, “Grandma really loves red roses and pink tulips, let’s us those for her bouquet.”
Montessori expert Stacy Keane says, “Finding an opportunity for your child to hand-deliver their bouquet to the recipient will allow for the experiences of expressing gratitude and love.”
To work on fine motor skills you can invite your child to pour water into a wide neck vase or jar. Pre-cutting flowers, and removing steps can set younger children up for success.
Reading Books About Love
Snuggling up with your child can create a bonding experience as you read books with the theme of love. Stopping in at your local library is an easy way to incorporate seasonally-themed books into your child’s rotation. In Montessori, we look for books with accurate depictions of real life.
Suggestions for your convenience:
10 Little Fingers and 10 Little Toes by Mem Fox
Smiling by Gweneth Swain
Mommy Hugs by Anne Gutman
Daddy Kisses by Anne Gutman
I Love You, a Baby Touch + Feel book by DK
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
Making Valentines
Even your youngest Valentine’s can get in on the fun this season by creating a Valentine keepsake! It’s best to attempt creating a handprint or footprint when your baby is well-rested and well-fed. Using a brush to apply non-toxic paint to your child’s hand or foot tends to work better than dipping. Also make sure to have extra supplies, as this isn’t always the easiest activity to perfect on the first try!
The project pictured above is detailed at JustBeeBlog.com
Heart-Gluing Activity
With a bit of red or pink construction paper, you can add pre-cut hearts to a sheet of coloured paper. Be sure to include a variety of small hearts along with a larger heart. You can show your child how to apply a small amount of glue to the smaller hearts, before adding them to the large heart. Then invite your child to display their heart-shaped Valentine proudly in your home as you express gratitude for their beautiful work.
Article Source: https://montikids.com/montessori/montessori-valentines-day-toddlers
