Taking the winter holidays in stride

 Re-envisioned traditions, activities and recipes to try, here is a bucket list I have put together for our family to tackle this holiday.

- wishing on a pine one http://diyintheforest.blogspot.com/2020/06/pinecone.html?m=1

- make a wreath https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.sunset.com/lifestyle/wellness/winter-solstice-rituals-nature/%3famp

- donate unwanted things in a group of friends or outreach group on social media

- upcycle something special but means nothing to you, and display it amongst your own decorations

- make your own ornaments ( we will also be making a toy for the house pets) https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.wikihow.com/Make-Felt-Ornaments%3famp=1

- bake a cake https://bromabakery.com/winter-solstice-cake/

- wrap thoughtful things for someone

- decorate a holiday tree https://www.newsweek.com/christmas-tree-origin-story-pagan-tradition-1254178

- make a hearty meal

- discover modern interpretations of appreciating lore and heritage of the regions of land you or your family are descended from. 

- share personal stories with others! https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

- discover music all over again https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/winter-solstice-songs

- keep up lessons and learning, there are some beautiful ones you can find here https://printables.montessorinature.com/ (we also have 10-frame counter cards on the TPT shop for winter solstice, Hanukkah, Yule, and Christmas!)

Taking things in stride and planning activities out for the week, concentrating not on celebrating but on transitioning in routine and looking towards the new year, we do have from just before the night is the longest (or shortest!) until January to get it all done. 

Joyeux Noel! And Merry Yule!  

Sensory up to the Preteen Era and Beyond

I read, sometimes too much, but we also have so many recommendations about what can help the kids feel better, play better, and get less frazzled!! Here are some sensory ideas and activities or even accommodations that I wish to share that can help make for smooth days and transitions for others too. I also included an armful of terms that helped us out a lot. 

Sometimes a sensory diet  is great to add into our busy routine to ensure self-regulation needs related to sensory processing difficulties, in absence of time outside or access to balanced activities, if recovering from illness, or during growth spurts. Other times it helps to have a calming bin, or a calm down kit  there are plenty of lists and beautiful images online, these lists in the link I like to keep in my binders if I'm ever stuck in a conversation during meetings or as quick reference. 

Another great way to incorporate sensory preferences, (especially with seekers) are fidget tools. Sensory integration can help build tolerance for hypersensitivities like avoiding activities, places, or objects that give unfavourable sensory input. For us, that may be like favouring lukewarm food and drink or avoiding soft toys. While sensory rooms are fantastic as a space to relax in, while reflecting the person's sensitivities or anxieties; there are also sensory gyms!  These set-ups would have the right balance of play to fulfillment or cut out a lot of the noise and chaos of open play areas. which is what sets them apart from indoor playgrounds or open play spaces. Check out this explanation of the sensory experience in how it may be different for a person with sensory processing disorder. Here is a bit about how sensory diets are helpful for a person with ADHD or ADD. 

While below are what I see a lot, it is totally possible, and very likely you may see them used differently! You can ask your doctor to refer to an occupational therapist who can help by creating a sensory profile. 

As a mom of two kids, who have reached the preteen era, it can get overwhelming for sure! But behind almost every inability to follow through, a pattern shone through, this pattern beyond all else, was made up of subtle hesitations and reactivity. What if the day to day gets mundane, and your loved ones (or mine!) are resisting just brushing their teeth without concern for the why and how?! 

Brain breaks are very important too!  When we focus on just what is on the surface and aren't taking into consideration those sensory profiles, moving forward gets murky! 

Below are some of this mum's least-resistance go-to's!! 

TACTILE 

• sensory pits - allows for predominantly tactile experience (arms, legs, maybe they are small enough to climb in!) and reduces messes!! we use a pit for water, mud, or snow.
• fuzzy pillow or rug - it is much more humane to hold onto a furry weighted pillow than a family pet!
• fleece blankets and lined sweaters - can't say much here! super soft and satisfying for short spells or long books
• acupressure rings - prickly metal rings to roll over or between fingers, maybe even toes? who knows!
• hot/cold pads - safety is a big concern, so we only use ones that are heated by going in the microwave, as opposed to an electric pad. 
• slime - of course!

KINESTHETIC

• kinetic sand - I find it perfect for low muscle tone, creative play, and a substitute for dough
• chewelry - or chewing gum if you will! 
• sensory bins - of a size that suits pouring and transferring without mess! 
• cup stacking - or anything repetitive that doesn't need visual differentiation to make things come together
• simple machines - we've seen hours of inventive and experimenting play with components of these science projects 

AUDITORY

• xylophone - because it isn't an electric keyboard, it could be less aggravating to a person who wants to know how things work
• drums - same thing as above! 
• water fountain - as long as it doesn't hum when turned on!
• noise cancelling headphones - focus on the sounds in front of you
• speakers - drown out the unfavourable with the preferred, bluetooth speaker can be paired with most anything, broadcast that playlist throughout the room!

VISUAL

• water beads - this one is easy. they slide, they bounce, they spin, the light goes through them, and what is not to love?
• dyed dried beans - very much the same as above
• liquid timers - a nice way to pass the time while waiting or breathing
• balloons - target practice? fill them with water? see how big they can get? don't let it hit the ground!
• art implements - Waldorf's wet-on-wet painting is a good example of how captivating art can be.

PROPRIOCEPTIVE

• crash pad - a bean bag, or giant foam bean bag
• body sock 
• weighted blanket
• giant yoga mat
• peanut ball
• compression wear

{the way we use these align with recommendations from our consultative occupational therapists}

OLFACTORY

• scented slime
• scented kinetic sand
• scented markers or paint
• scented playdough
• essential oil diffuser
• essential oil plush animal

{these are part of our brain breaks}

GUSTATORY

• guessing game with jelly beans
• lollipops
• freezer pops
• electrolyte drinks
• variety trays for grazing
• making smoothies
• flavoured jelly
• homemade gummies

{the way we use these align with recommendations from our consultations in workshops}

VESTIBULAR

• saucer swing
• trampoline
• wobble deck
• balance beam
• scooter board

{the way we use these align with recommendations from our consultative physical therapists}

OTHER INTERESTING MUST-READS!!

about interoception

about sensory social routines

teenage year milestones

what do hypersensitive and hyposensitive mean? and more FAQ

Happy Halloween

Halloween is coming up, so I put together some hands-on activities for math and language. The pages for letter tiles and ten-frames are on the TpT store. The book is just one of a number of board books where I made a few quick labels that are the same size as the tiles. 

ddddd This just wasn't enough, so I also put together some quick exercises for fine motor with math, using halloween themed loot bag goodies such as dough and stamps. I hope they turn out to be fun and engaging. the blank ten-frames were found online for free here. I use sleeve protectors quite a lot instead of laminating.

 

Exploring Land and Water!

 At the end of September we started this unit on land and water forms. it was really exciting to get over 25 different forms. I don't have the montessori classroom resources, and with children who are older its hard to tell what is developmentally appropriate, what is worth the preparation. 

We tried a few material, but this tray of kinetic sand was ideal for both kinds of forms, the labels are colour-coded for water or land. The picture cards have either navy blue for water, or light blue for sky, with brown always representing land.
 

 The nice thing about making your own is being able to include different academic levels. These are definition cards, they are paraphrased from research online. The language used was meant to be easy to follow along.
There are blanks to fill in the word that the definition corresponds with.
 

My favourite part was finding resources to pair the vocabulary cards with real photo images of places that can be found on a map or in a magazine. There is also a math pack for further activities if you want to keep the theme going. 

I do know that matching cards is something both kids will do, but why stop at the usual 8 types of land forms and bodies of water? Here's a list of some of the vocabulary from the packet.

• archipelago
• cape
• isthmus
• canyon
• mountain
• plateau
• valley
• island
• peninsula
• butte
• mesa
• hill
• plain
• mountain
• lake
• strait
• system of lakes
• bay
• gulf
• cove
• river
• sea
• creek
• delta
• ocean
• waterfall
• tributary
• basin

5 things every Homeschooler needs

Multisensory learning isn't reserved to young children, this list can be applied to new homeschoolers starting out, or anyone needing to keep costs as low as possible. These aren't everything home education need, but does make it so those with fewer resources can do great educational activities for a fraction of the cost.

The first thing on this list, are free downloadable font for your word processor, particularly TRACEABLE font in print and cursive, with the style of writing you teach your kids, and if you collect a variety, they can be used incrementally as the writing improves, some things to look for are: slant, joined letters (if cursive), space between dashes and dots, precursive, d'nealian, and watch out for the lowercase 'a'.
WHY?
create your own writing practice sheets, simplify worksheets or PDFs by filling it in with traceable solutions.
Budget-friendly: save on ink by printing 2 or 4 pages per sheet as your child's writing matures.

Next is a grid board of any kind, or laminated blank hundred charts, though we recommend a board for durability and versatility, the size (with 1 inch squares) is also a lot easier to work with.
WHY?
For so many applications! most math concepts can be worked out with hands-on materials, visuals, or simply kept organized this way. It is a great tool for data management and even for art.
Budget-friendly: use dry-erase to make it last through all your activities.

Self-adhesive laminating pouches (see here) and sheets are the easiest way to keep paper material clean and durable for long periods of time with a lot of use. If these are beyond your budget or your materials don't need to last forever, try packing tape. (see how here)
WHY?
So really, packing tape is the item on this must-have list, but when it's practical, use self-adhesive laminating products.
Budget-friendly: add it to your grocery list and save a trip, it can often be found with small hardware.

Game pieces and miniatures are a vital instrument for homeschool math, and great for creative writing; some examples are chips, pegs, dice, dominoes, blocks, player-pieces, and beads.
WHY?
repetitive counting, organizing and grouping to solve math problems, keeping things interesting and varied, as well as representing different concepts and parts of a formula, game pieces are commonly used in many multisensory math programs, so why not make some of your own. If you collect player pieces and miniatures, they are fantastic for teaching phonics, inspiring creative writing projects, and teaching parts of speech.
Budget-friendly: pick up used board games; small pieces in quantities of 10, 20 or 120 are good amounts to look out for.

Letter tiles are really handy for kids still working on spelling rules, but alphabet shapes are a good place to start when teaching phonics and spelling. They come in handy for a reluctant writer too.
WHY?
Hands-on helps practice while actual writing forms habits, if the phonics and spelling skills aren't perfected yet, these are a good tool for all ages.
Budget-friendly: inexpensive fridge magnets work great, even if they don't stick to the fridge, they are fine for a flat surface. You can also pick a colour-code and use the same product line for years to come, potentially reducing future expenses.
 

*This list assumes that there is a computer, printer, and internet access immediately available.

15+ toys for homeschoolers to build numeracy

A lot of our experience with math has been similar to literacy but more so thanks to the natural interest and hands-on activities we've done.

Melissa & Doug Numbers Sound Puzzle 

A self correcting puzzle that teaches order and introduces quantities 0-20. Also check out these number puzzles. These are both great when the child can identify quantities of objects.

Learning Resources 120 Board
This is a step up from a traditional hundred board, teaching that numbers carry on from 100 in the same fashion as 1-100. It can be used for teaching skip counting too.

Scholastic Numbers Learning Puzzles
self correcting puzzles expand and compile everything to do with counting. Check out this set for addition and subtraction. If your child is interested in counting money, there's this money set also (only in USD)

Didax Educational Resources Sandpaper Numerals

This is a great help to keep math and writing separate. Also, here is a number construction kit, similar to the letter construction kit we shared on the list of literacy builders.

Lakeshore Learning Place Value Activity Kit
A good place value mat can be hard to find, this looks fantastic for recognition and math skills. Everything is colour-coordinated which helps kids who need the visual.

Singapore Math's Place Value Disks
There are many brands of place value disks, but I chose to share this one because its a large quantity from ones to millions. Also check out these decimal place value tiles.

Place Value Flip Chart
This one has both ones to millions and thousands to thousandths.

 

Melissa & Doug Add Subtract Abacus
 This has addition on one side and subtraction on the other, its self correcting by limiting how many beads can be used. 

Unifix Cubes Ten-Frame Trains
they only come with a handful of cubes, so you can find those here. Teaching guides for kindergarten  and up are available too.

15+ toys for homeschoolers to build literacy

In our family, we built early learning up with Rock'n learn and Leapfrog DVDs, educational-therapeutic apps (available on all devices) including ColorsKit series for exceptional learners, wooden alphabet puzzles, many montessori-inspired cards, and self-correcting puzzles. I would still recommend these activity sets listed below for their depth and to help along literacy and handwriting at any age, particularly for the hands-on learning!

Melissa & Doug Alphabet Sound Puzzle
This would be great if your child is comfortable with uppercase letters, the sound puzzle makes the letter sounds when the piece is placed correctly. Also check out this See & Spell wooden puzzle.

Learning Resources Alphabet Soup Sorters
These are cans, roughly the size of real soup cans, so I would probably add my own objects for seasonal or special interest times. Alphabet objects can be found all over online, and on amazon itself under different company and product names.

Learning Journey Match It! 3 Letter Words
These self-correcting puzzles are based on sight words, if you have enough you can introduce them gradually as you move through phonetics. Moving forward there are self-correcting puzzles for picture-to-word, compound words, and more! browsing for Didax puzzles and other Match It! sets will show more variety.

Didax Educational Resources Lowercase Sandpaper Letters
Tactile letters of any kind, especially sandpaper help develop motor coordination and preparation for drawing or tracing forms. If you use duplicates, you can use them for tracing of larger words, and supplement handwriting exercises. Browsing for tactile word cards will bring up Key Education's tactile sight words cards, where a full word is made textured on each card.

Learning Resources Letter Construction Activity Set
They also come in giant magnetic sets, and small foam magnetic sets. Activity cards are in this one, so it builds self-correction skills and each segment is a consistent colour.

Lakeshore Learning's Magnetic Sight-Word Sentence Board
Teaches sentence fragments, introduces punctuation, and uses pictures and words on subject tiles. The board has colour-coded self-correction to match the border of the tiles.

Key Education Big Box of Word Chunks 
word building with elements of self correction. Also check out this set of Easy-to-Read Words, Sentence Building and Silly Sentences

How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri

This book comes with 20 story blocks, as the child reads they can put their twist on how the story Story Cubes, but has a book that acts a guide, and the bright colours, large blocks make it a great place to start for early writers.

Lakeshore Learning's Build-A-Story Flip Book
Lets kids write silly stories and practice paragraph development.

Winter Activities

1. volcanoes Watch This
2. sugar crystals Watch This
3. make a cloud in a bottle Watch this
4. tornado in a jar Watch This
5. freeze bubbles Watch This
6. balloon rocket Watch This
7. make a lava lamp Watch This
8. explore echos and percussion throughout the house
9. make your own microscope slides
10. track and graph what time the sun rises and sets
11. what happens when water turns to ice?
12. make 3D paper snowflakes
13. exploring gravity preschool discoveries
14. STEM activities from A-Z
15. this toy zip line is a great idea
16. design, build, study bridges
17. design, build, and study simple machines
18. explore the parts of a computer
19. use electronic circuit kits
20. montessori unit Antarctica
21. build a shelf
22. use wrenches and screwdrivers 
23. how do appliances work?
24. how do electronics work?
25. design and architecture 
26. compare the north and south polar regions
27. build a model igloo
28. learn about inventions designed for the cold elements
29.  winter water cycle
30.  snow storm in a jar
31. discover tree identification in the winter
32. discover how animals adapt in winter
33. unit studies about the polar regions
34.  bake some bread
35. make your own pasta
36.  grow your own herb garden
37. make dishes from around the world
38. make your own condiments
39. homemade marshmallows
40. gingerbread houses
41. hot chocolate science 
42. make homemade ice cream
43. calming jar
44. marble track
45. salt dough ornaments
46. make your own beeswax figures
47. make peg dolls
48. take up knitting
49. DIY anything
50. make your own picture books
51. make a fairy house
52. origami 
53. paper airplanes
54. knit a scarf
55. visual arts projects
56. make a snow globe
57. make your own puzzle
58. make your own story stones
59. make a birdseed ornament
60. crystal suncatcher
61. make your own light table
62. dressing frames
63. transferring and pouring
64. tying knots
65. working with scissors
66. keyboarding exercises
67. learn a chore
68. learn a card game
69. winter solstice activities
70. advent activity tree
71. storytelling
72. montessori-inspired play dough activities
73. make a sundial
74. winter-themed games
75. winter lanterns
76. make a wreath
77. learn to sew by hand
78. pine cone science
79. try new recipes
80. make snow ice cream
81. use circle time throughout the day
82. turn a sink or tub into a water table
83. use indoor climbing equipment
84. use gym toys
85. make an obstacle course
86. use string as a web to crawl through
87. use sensory bins (for all ages)
88. make ornaments
89. make candles
90. study moon phases
91. learn how animals stay warm
92. make molasses or maple syrup snow candy
93. myth busting: snowflakes are alike
94. read snow-themed poetry
95. colouring or painting snow
96. make your own snow
97. check out this free winter ecology teacher guide
98. try pendulum painting
99. check out this arctic and inuit lapbook unit 
100. this is a great winter-themed unit study for older kids and middle schoolers 

 Also...
Look at these amazing ideas!

• Waldorf-inspired winter crafts
• Montessori-inspired activities and units
• A great example of a winter-themed provocation in a Reggio-inspired way
• many more indoor/outdoor winter science activities
• Wonderful ideas for sensory activities 
• snow day activities
• Winter time homeschooling
• Winter homeschooling ideas
• Really great thinking outside the box on these activities, love them! 
• Homeschool Winter Blues?
• the kids' winter cottage activities
• kitchen science lab for kids

find these using the links above!

last minute christmas gifts

This blog's recommendations for gift-giving for kids who are self-directed learners and exceptional learners too!

Melissa & Doug's Classroom Play Set
 Everything in this is kid-directed, that's why we recommend it. So much easier to extend knowledge to a child's world or bring them out of their own by using play sets. includes:

• dry-erase printing practice and writing boards
• clock face, weather and calendar pieces
• attention grabbers such as a bell and pointer

 Batman Story Cubes
These are great, I would definitely get it myself. Story Cubes help with developing stories and for inspiring creative writing, play, and conversation. These would be perfect for a superhero fan.

Melissa & Doug's Wooden Vehicle & Traffic Signs
Great for kids learning to cross the street, and the rules of the road for both cars and pedestrians.

Stackable Base Plates
These are a great and affordable idea for the kids who love to mix lego with other toys, or have so many sets that they pay little attention to. Sometimes a base or a building is all that's needed.

Crayola Multi-Color Light Board
Its a multi-purpose light board, that can be drawn on and has different plates (white and black) and various light settings to change how it looks. I can also see how it could be used with activities for light tables.

Hot Dots
If you haven't read the posts on how we incorporate hot dots into montessori lessons, go check it out. I love that its reinforcing and helps a child demonstrate their knowledge and communicate their learning.

 Janod Magnetic World Puzzle 
The pieces are the shape of the country (mostly) and underneath all the pieces is simply a continent map. All around a wonderful educational tool and toy for anyone starting culture studies or geography. Also look up the animal world map.

Teach My
These kits range developmentally from early toddlers up to more recently young school aged children. I love each and every one of them for the well-rounded multi-sensory resources that fit together perfectly.

Kimochis
These are soft, machine-washable, characters and animal plushies that make up a whole curriculum of mindfulness for youngsters, to teach feelings and communication. It may require some shopping around to purchase them in US or Canada.

Gorilla Gym
These are great playground and gym inspired equipment that can be set up in your home without drilling holes.

Engino Discovering STEM 
These kits are really great for the self-directed learner, especially if they have a natural passion for engineering, construction and physics.

Smart Games
We love these in our house, they are developmentally appropriate for many children of many ages and abilities. Great logic and critical thinking exercises.

Lego Education Community People Set
 These Duplo size minifigures support learning about people from around the world, and community helpers.

Learning Resources Giant Geosolids
These 6 inch tall geometric solids have a small opening that can be used to fill them with sand or water.

Handwriting Without Tears' Slide Stamp and See Screen
Just like the name says this is a magnetic board that uses the wooden pieces from this program, a fun alternative or extension to letter building.

Smart Anatomy - Interactive Human Body
comes with: the soft foam pieces, a smart pen, poster, book, and guide.

Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set

This STEM activity has problem solving, puzzles and coding.