So, here it is. Our little space. For our children. We worked really hard this summer and suffered bouts of guilt. Wondered if this was the right thing to do for little Bea. But in the end, I can't think of a lovelier surrounding for her to grow up in. Yes, she will be among others. But most importantly, she will be with me and we will be here and I am so happy about that.
The children arrive on the 31st. Until then, L and her two little ones and Beatrix and I like to hang out here because it's so darn sweet.
We could not resist Ida Pearle's alphabet cards. They are absolutely gorgeous. Ida is really sweet too.
For the child, the metal inset work is a special way to create beautiful, and even intricate design work. The guide knows that lots of good metal inset work also helps to develop the hand, which promotes muscular development needed for handwriting.
The heart of any Montessori environment is the practical life area. This is where the activities needed for daily household chores and art activities are kept. Here, children can choose from a variety of tasks: dishwashing, painting, clay work, polishing objects such as wood, silver, and brass, plant care, flower arranging, and so much more. It's a lively area with a busy hum about it.
Our Waldorf inspired play area. Because we know that creative/imaginative play is important as well. Children grow through purposeful activity. It's our hope to provide an environment filled to the brim with purposeful actiivity.
In the imaginative/creative play area, we decorated the wall with the beautiful and calming water color paintings by Ruth Elsaesser. We purchased them from Nova Natural.
The mobile is placed in our infant area. Primarily, it provides a beautiful dance of color and shape for the babies while lying down. But also adds another level of beauty and calmness for all to appreciate. The framed black and white cards from Wee Gallery will be rotated so that the babies have a variety of simple, yet beautiful images to admire. At home, Beatrix has had these cards attached to a wire mobile. She's spent hours laying underneath the black and white images excitedly watching as the animals drifted in and out of her view.
The geometric solids introduce the scientific language of basic geometric shapes such as sphere, cube, ovoid, ellipsoid, cone, etc. Through games, children learn to feel the shape (without looking) and associate the name to it. They are challenged to find these shapes within the room, then within nature. Soon, they discover that these basic shapes are the foundation of nature's design. And indeed, our world is complex, yet simple!
Where children come to reflect after working or playing. Our quiet corner is a place to snuggle up with a good book or to listen to classical, jazz, folk, (and perhaps some Beatles or Johnny Cash thrown in there - the possibilities are endless!) It can also be a place where the child can choose to do nothing. Just, sit and watch, and take it all in!
I hope to post more about our space as time moves forward. We have so many ideas on how to insure that this place truly becomes a home away from home for little children. A place where children are allowed to slow down, to be present, to blossom into the people they were meant to be, where they can discover beauty within themselves, others, and in the world around them. Thank you for stopping by!
