What kids like to do when they visit us...

Hi The Montessori Room, When children visit the shop, one of the things they love doing is... washing our windows! We have a child-sized spray bottle filled with water and small child-sized squeegee set up at the front window. Children can spray and wipe windows while their parents shop - and most do! TRY This at Home Most young children love cleaning the windows. This is because they learn by imitating the actions of adults around them. Seeing parents or caregivers engage in household chores, like cleaning the windows, inspires them to do the same. Helping out also gives young children a feeling of belonging and importance. They feel proud knowing they can contribute to the household, just like the grown-ups.   Children also enjoy all the developmental benefits: * Strengthens fine motor skills - a great pre-writing activity! * Strengthens the core - standing, reaching, crouching, etc. * Learn to follow a sequence of steps - an important aspect of learning * Attention to detail - children notice small droplets of water * Sensory exploration - working with water, hearing the water spray from bottle, sound of squeegee, etc. * Develops independence How To Introduce Window Cleaning Age: 18 months + (requires strong hand strength to squeeze bottle) Materials: * Small spray bottle * Squeegee * Small drying cloth * Optional: Waterproof Tray Purpose: To learn the practical skill of washing the windows while developing fine motor skills and coordination Adult Preparation: Fill a spray bottle with water. Place it, with the squeegee and drying cloth, next to a window. Presentation: 1. Stand next to your child and demonstrate how to spray water on the window. 2. Pick up the squeegee and hold the handle with both hands. 3. Squeegee the window from top to bottom. 4. Use the drying cloth to wipe up any remaining water 5. Encourage your child to continue cleaning the windows.    Notes: * When demonstrating, spray the water at your child’s height. If you spray any higher, they will too and it may be difficult for them to reach the squeegee that high.    * Your child may need to use two hands to squeeze the spray bottle. In the classroom, children can work for days to develop the strength and coordination to maneuver the spray bottle independently. There is a lot of trial and error, i.e. spraying themselves in the face as they watch the water coming out, spraying around the window, etc. but their exploration leads to independence.   * When your child is finished, gently point out the wet areas of the window or floor. Encourage your chilld to use a cloth or mop to clean it up. This appeals to their attention to detail while developing care of the environment.   Extensions: * This same presentation can be used to wash mirrors.   * This is also a great activity to do outside on a warm day. Store Restocks & News We just brought in some fun, new wooden food. Customers are always asking for more and more choices from this brand (Erzi) and I'm happy to do that! * Birthday Cupcakes * Breakfast Food * Macarons * Vegan Food Set They also make this really cute children's shopping tote: If you're travelling soon, check out our new activity book section: There's some really fun options! Lastly, 4 more days until Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation). You can still get Orange Shirts here: * XS and S * M 100% of profits from these shirts will be donated to the Native Woman's Resource Center. Have a great weekend, Laura From The Archives How To Make Halloween Fun (and Less Stressful) READ MORE 4 Activities to Learn about Seasons and The Weather READ MORE Why Most Young Children Don't Like Making Crafts... READ MORE Fall Store Hours You can now shop in store or pick up your orders on: Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm We also have curbside pick up hours outside of these hours on Wednesday evenings. Our storefront is located at 2229 Danforth Ave, on Danforth just east of Woodbine. Click here to find us in Google Maps. Sent to: [email protected] The Montessori Room (12181991 Canada Inc.), 2229 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4C 1K4, Canada