Hello
all,
In
this current situation of Covid- 19 pandemic where we with all our children are
forced to stay at home, we at Mindstein
Montessori have made a list of activities which can be done with children at
home.
We know that the difficulties our families are
facing are real and can be extremely challenging.
This
post is the first of many to help you and your children be at your best during
this trying time.
It
includes many fabulous resources to use at home to help your children
You
can look forward to our solution to Montessori without shelves and materials
coming next
Before
diving into this schedule, there are a few things to note. This is not an
expectation, but it is a schedule your child is familiar with. The more
familiar the routine, the more the child knows what to expect from their day.
In addition, this can allow the adults caring for the children to create a
sustainable, workable schedule for their household given this rough outline.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Time
|
Daily Schedule
|
Important Notes
|
8 -9 am
|
Breakfast & Getting Ready for
work
|
● Pro-Tip: Children under 6 are
sensorial learners
Let your child help you in
preparing breakfast .Eg. Pouring milk for himself, buttering bread /slicing
banana/apple.
|
9 -10 am
|
Work Prep with Child
|
● Start the morning by getting set up
with your child - put out paper for art activities, set up a snack shelf,
fill a small pitcher for self-serve water, etc. The child can also help in household chores
like sweeping, dusting, cleaning mirror/ window
|
10 – 12 am
|
Morning
Self-Chosen Activity Time
(Aim
for this to be a non- entertainment time: no TV, Tablets, Screens, or
AudioBooks)
|
● Allow your child to do self-chosen
activities. If the activity is new to your home, show them how it's done (not
telling them how to do it). Give them a turn and let them use it
independently.
Eg
: Puzzles, Blocks, Worksheets
● Invest the first few days in
establishing routines, expectations of putting things away. Once established,
this can become time for the adult to do other things in the space with the child.
(Note: Children under 6 are
attracted to Language, so if you start talking to someone else, they are
likely going to be very interested in what you are doing. Try to plan your
work to avoid your own interruptions by aiming for more intermittent work for
this time - i.e. emails, household chores etc - and (if possible) more work
calls and meetings for nap or if another caregiver is available for you to
step out of the child’s space).
● Consider physical activity around 11 : 00 am for gross motor
play. Let the child guide the pace -
the destination isn’t important!
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/349873464786285273/
|
12 - 1 pm
|
Lunch Prep & Meal
|
● Begin with Lunch prep, which can
include the child helping set the lunch table. If plates, cups and utensils
are in a place they can reach, they can do this independently.
● Let the child help you make lunch.
E.g. She can help by grating cucumber/carrot, preparing buttermilk, making
rotis.
● Eat with the child (if possible)! By
modeling sitting and eating, you will most likely see… sitting and eating.
|
1 - 4 pm
|
Nap
|
● Set a clear and specific routine and
time for nap. If your child doesn't nap you can have quiet time where the
child plays by himself and reads books.
You can incorporate a singing session.
|
4 - 5 pm
|
Snack
|
● Upon waking, children are typically
used to having a snack. Snack time
with some fun time. No screen time.
|
5- 6 pm
|
Art and Craft
|
Do a fun activity. It can be
painting, colouring or some craft work.
|
6 - 7
pm
|
Exercise/ Physical movement
|
Do a fun workout with your
children. They are used to outdoor play at this time. Since that is not possible as of now
let's try and do some fun physical activity where they can spend their
energy. E.g kicking the
ball, jumping over a stick or crawling under chairs etc. One can play
hopscotch, lemon and spoon race, obstacle race etc.
|
7 -8 pm
|
Dinner Time
|
Begin with dinner prep, which can
include the child helping set the table.
Have dinner together as a family
|
8 - 9 pm
|
Reading and readying for bedtime
|
Reading books together and talking
about the day
|
Pro Tip: In the event you are giving your children some screen time, make it into a game. Dont let them become literal couch potatoes!! For eg. if they are watching Peppa Pig, each time Peppa snorts they Jump 5 times, or each time George says 'Dinosaur' the touch the floor 5 times. Be creative!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=68&v=ADb9vuAYyaU&feature=emb_title
A
glimpse at the activities that can be done at home :
 |
| Painting fun |
 |
| Cleaning mirror/window |
 |
| Grating Cucumber |
 |
| Slicing Watermelon |
 |
| Clothes peg activity |
