There are lots of good things about Montessori curriculum. One of it is the 'house keeping shelf' in the Practical Life area. That is a pure life saver. It is simple, attractive and you get everything at one place. Infact, I was so convinced that I wanted to have one at my home. I always suggest people to have this, if not the exact one but at least partially. The other day I was walking in IKEA and saw smaller version of the house keeping area. I love that too. It is small and convenient. People with bigger homes and apartments can nicely afford the one I have it in the picture.
Aha !! What a delight ! From Top - bottom, L-R : there is a broom, dust pan - brush, dusting puff, small wooden dust pan-brush for cleaning dry spills on the table, plastic dustpan and brush, wiping towels, Q-tips, cottons, small hand made wipe (love them !), big towels and a bucket. You must be thinking why we need a bucket. Bucket is used to clean the water spilled on the floor. Wipe the water squeeze it into the bucket and pour it into the sink. Love it. Is this not such a great activity to let a child know to manage their work and be more independent.
There must be some parents thinking, why do those tiny hands need to work so hard ?! Why are the adults for ?! In lots of countries you get that help from paid helpers. There is always somebody else available for a child. But do you guys think of what will happen when they are teenagers or an adult, now they get all the support from you and you do all their work. They will be so used to of having that help all the time, they will never realize the importance of independence and taking charge of their life. Nobody is too small for any learning. Imagine, when dependence forces a child to be physically lethargic and lazy. When I was a child, there were helpers around me all the time and would do every single work for me. Even to get a glass a water there would be a person. It was hard for me to do my own work. Struggled in my early years. Now, I have learned my good lesson. But I would not want my child to struggle like I did. Would you ?
So, if we have an organized place like this, that also looks so attractive and simple to look at, anybody would love to work on their own. Yes, it will take some time till you make some ground rules and till everyone follows them at home. But, the process to get your goal is fun and brings people close to each other. Develops relationship, forms the personality. We all want to be happy, who does not ! And happy, clean home adds to your happiness. In the end, it's not just the home, you are making an independent person of your child here, giving him his happiness for life. I think it is the biggest gift of our life - to be independent.
Aha !! What a delight ! From Top - bottom, L-R : there is a broom, dust pan - brush, dusting puff, small wooden dust pan-brush for cleaning dry spills on the table, plastic dustpan and brush, wiping towels, Q-tips, cottons, small hand made wipe (love them !), big towels and a bucket. You must be thinking why we need a bucket. Bucket is used to clean the water spilled on the floor. Wipe the water squeeze it into the bucket and pour it into the sink. Love it. Is this not such a great activity to let a child know to manage their work and be more independent.
There must be some parents thinking, why do those tiny hands need to work so hard ?! Why are the adults for ?! In lots of countries you get that help from paid helpers. There is always somebody else available for a child. But do you guys think of what will happen when they are teenagers or an adult, now they get all the support from you and you do all their work. They will be so used to of having that help all the time, they will never realize the importance of independence and taking charge of their life. Nobody is too small for any learning. Imagine, when dependence forces a child to be physically lethargic and lazy. When I was a child, there were helpers around me all the time and would do every single work for me. Even to get a glass a water there would be a person. It was hard for me to do my own work. Struggled in my early years. Now, I have learned my good lesson. But I would not want my child to struggle like I did. Would you ?
So, if we have an organized place like this, that also looks so attractive and simple to look at, anybody would love to work on their own. Yes, it will take some time till you make some ground rules and till everyone follows them at home. But, the process to get your goal is fun and brings people close to each other. Develops relationship, forms the personality. We all want to be happy, who does not ! And happy, clean home adds to your happiness. In the end, it's not just the home, you are making an independent person of your child here, giving him his happiness for life. I think it is the biggest gift of our life - to be independent.
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