Jacaranda Tree Montessori

A Montessori playgroup in Amsterdam for babies, toddlers, preschoolers

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An update from me in pictures!

Hope you have had a fabulous summer. I don’t believe you all that it has been sunny here. Ever since we have been back in Amsterdam, it’s been rain rain rain. I guess Autumn is on its way: crunchy, wet leaves and cosy blankets are just around the corner.

Here’s my update on all the news at Jacaranda Tree Montessori in pictures. And looking forward to classes – back from this Monday 25 August!

Summer holidays

What a summer it has been! We were visiting our family in Australia this year. Even in winter there was sunshine, snorkelling and beach fun, and lots of enjoyable time with my family, especially the gorgeous nieces and nephews.

summer

I had the pleasure to meet this beautiful lady 12 years ago. At the time we were living in Sydney and I had a little toddler Oliver. I enrolled us in the parent-toddler classes at Down Under Three with Ferne, the directress.

Ferne was so open to share her wisdom, welcome us in her classroom, and laugh along the way. She inspired me to take the Montessori training and is the reason where I am today, working with these beautiful children and their equally amazing parents.

What a joy then to meet up again while I was back in Sydney while Oliver and Emma were surfing (in the middle of winter!) and pick up where we left off.

ferne

 

 

Preparations for the new school year

I’ve been busy getting the classroom ready, giving everything a fresh coat of paint.

paint

Perhaps you are also getting ready for classes. Here’s one of my old favourite posts with a round-up of my favourite backpacks and bags for little ones: http://www.jacarandatreemontessori.nl/2013/04/18/my-favourite-kids-backpacks-bags-2/

bags

Upcoming workshops

Montessori for Babies, Saturday 30 August 10am – 12 noon, €20 per person. All details should be arriving in your inbox soon. Or you can click here for more information.

Apply montessori principles from birth

And a new guest blog post…

Another guest post on Confessions of a Montessori Mom, this one about my favourite How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids will talk. It includes a pretty summary for you, so there is no excuse now not to print it and put into action. To pin for later click here: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/111745634479318993/

how2talk2kids summary.jpg.001

 

That’s all the news for now. Looking forward to seeing you all soon! It’s going to be a fun year. Can’t wait.

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Montessori activities for traveling with kids

A mother in class a couple of weeks ago innocently asked if I had written a post about activities for traveling with kids. I had not. And my sister and her family (including a climbing 1-year old and a chatterbox 3-year old) are about to embark on a 24-hour journey from Sydney to Amsterdam. So I decided now was a good time to put together my favourite Montessori activities for traveling kids.

This post has turned into quite a project. Reviews of the suggested activities most welcome. And any suggestions that have been a big hit in your family on past trips are also most welcome. You can email me. Or post to the Jacaranda Tree Montessori Facebook page here.  I also asked the parents on our Facebook page for their ideas – a lot have made it into this post but you can see all their great suggestions here.

So here they are. The ultimate list of Montessori activities for traveling with kids…

Montessori inspired activities

You are never going to keep a toddler or young child quiet for long. But these activities might engage them for a few minutes between eating snacks, walking around the plane, checking the map, and listening to audio books.

  • Soft books with opening and closing, threading and velcro are great for busy hands
  • A coin box with a selection of coins can keep a 16-month old focused trying to master the key and the posting
  • Bring a selection of Schleich animals – nice and sturdy for long trips
  • Fuzzy felt sets or a DIY version are light and entertaining. Limit the number of pieces you bring or you may find yourself picking up a lot of pieces!
  • Options for doodling – magnetic doodle board or aquadoodle or a stamping kit
  • Magnetic sets are also great for confined spaces
Montessori activities to take on trips for toddlers

Coin box – small
€7,27 – amazon.co.uk

Soft Book – My Busy Book
€30 – entropy.com.au

GoGo Creative Magnetic Blocks
€39 – amazon.co.uk

Cra-Z-Art Travel Magna Doodle
€4,85 – thetoyshop.com

Fuzzy Felt Farm Animals
€9,71 – amazon.co.uk

Tomy AquaDraw Travel Drawing Bag
€12 – argos.co.uk

Schleich Zeeschildpad

dieren-wereld-online.nl

Getting crafty

Never leave home without some basic crafting supplies – here are some cute supplies to get you started. Note: no scissors in hand luggage on planes (I might have just done that quite a few times already).

Craft things to take on holidays with toddlers

Travel Journals by SUKIE
notonthehighstreet.com

Stickers

One activity you probably hadn’t overlooked. Not only can you find cute animals and travel stickers, here are some other sticky ideas:

  • Washi tape (patterned Japanese paper tape) – this tape is removeable so it would be perfect to make impromptu roads for vehicles, for tic-tac-toe, for tearing into pieces, and sticking on your favourite parent
  • Bandaids – useful if you cut yourself, but also fun for playing doctors, or applying to your teddy
  • Pocket passport – you could make your own or buy a pretend passport for your child to place stamps in and stickers. Love this.

And here are my other favourites…

Stickers for traveling kids

Vehicles Reusable Sticker Pad
€3,61 – melissaanddoug.com

set of 2 Voyage sticker collection
€4,17 – etsy.com

First sticker book Garden
€6,06 – usborne.com

Hansaplast Universal family pack – a great idea to play doctors, stick on your teddy, on the plane seat, or if you cut yourself
webwinkel.etos.nl

160 stickers animals
ilovespeelgoed.nl

Travel books

Here are some suggestions for books to take on your trip. There are also some of my favourite books for Montessori children here if you are looking for more inspiration.

Books for taking on a trip

 

Best bags for traveling toddlers

And why not let your toddler take responsibility for their things to free up your hands. These are some cute options:
  • A Trunki – if your child gets tired, they can jump on and you can pull
  • Who couldn’t stop smiling with a cute Bon Voyage purse to keep craft supplies organised
  • There are such cute backpacks around – Fjallraven bags are tough and durable for trips
  • And why not pack a lunch box with compartments like a bento box, or an insulated bag for keeping things fresh
My favourite bags for traveling kids

 

Bag
notonthehighstreet.com

Bakker made with love kitchen dining
littlefashionaddict.com

FjÄllrÄven fjallraven bag
ilovemykanken.com

Older children

For older children:

  • Involve them in preparing for the trip, for example, planning out the route on a map and making a plan for things to do
  • Play games like I-spy, alphabet games and rhyming games
  • Play tic-tac-toe, hangman
  • Bring a pack of cards and play snap or solitaire

Last tips

  1. Spread out the activities you have. You can even wrap them up to add another layer of excitement and open a new package each hour.
  2. One mum suggests Valium (I’m pretty sure she meant for her :))
  3. Another suggests making friends with your neighbours on the plane – perhaps they can take over half way.
  4. Definitely lower your expectations. And take a change of clothes for everyone.
  5. If none of these ideas is working, you can always resort to some ipad games and ebooks. And otherwise try unlimited tv time – after all, the idea here is just survival, and normal rules will be back tomorrow.
I hope that you find these ideas useful and wish you all safe and peaceful travels. It will only get easier as the kids get older. Promise.
And if you have found this article useful, you might also be interested in my other most popular articles:

* Age appropriate chores for children – infographic
* A Montessori approach to toileting
* My top Ikea picks for Montessori children

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If you have any specific questions about Montessori, please feel free to email me.