Montessori-inspired

Well, I've already posted on this on my other blog. But I'll go ahead and repost here. I plan on being Montessori-inspired as a daycare. I also wouldn't mind adding in some elements of Waldorf also. It's going to be a lot of work. Just what I need - more on my to-do list. But I'm kind of excited as I think this will be a great environment for Boo to be in.

Montessori materials are super expensive. However, I have found some ideas online to make my own things. So I'll be doing a bit of that. Even that can be hard because my income is soooo limited right now that I don't have much to use on supplies, craft materials, etc...But I'm trying. One step at a time. This conversion, for lack of a better word, will take place very slowly for this reason and also because I don't have all the time in the world to work on this either. There are still basic daycare necessities that I need that will take precedence over acquiring/creating Montessori materials. My next daycare purchases will likely be table, chairs, cots, and cot sheets. Those are must-haves that I will need in order to add kids to the daycare.

Speaking of kids, now that I'm licensed and on the referral list, where are my freaking phone calls??? Okay...I've only been on the list since Monday. But still, I'd like to get this place filled up and going! Building a business is a major exercise in patience.

What I love about Montessori is the self-direction aspect. I think children gain a lot of confidence when it is their idea to explore something. This is not to be mistaken for a mad free for all freeplay all day type of thing. The main ingredient in Montessori is the environment. The environment must be enriching with plenty of things for children to work on. Toys are not called toys. They are works. I remember that from my days as an Infant Teacher at a Montessori school. It makes sense if you think about it. When a child is putting together a puzzle, that child is working. When a child is pushing a toy vacuum across the floor, that child is working on coordination, gross motor movements, etc...So I love that Montessori sees children's play in that light.

Waldorf does not rename toys as works. Waldorf seems to emphasize (I've researched this a lot less, so pardon me if I'm a bit off) creativity and imagination and creative expression. Dramatic play seems to be big, especially when looking through online shops that sell Waldorf materials. Children learn through this creative play and expression.

Both seem to emphasize the natural world - outdoors, toys made from natural materials, etc...I love that aspect! Wooden toys vs. plastic, etc...Welll...there will be more plastic than I'd like in my daycare because as a home daycare provider I'm on a pretty low budget for toys/materials. But I think that if I'm creative I can find ways to incorporate this concept as much as possible.

There's a couple of books I'd like to purchase about incorporating Montessori into the home for early childhood. I'd really like to get these when I have a chance as there's instructions for making Montessori works as well as explanation of Montessori concepts.

Welcome

Hello. I've found that my other blog is starting to get weighed down with daycare-related posts. Since that wasn't the intention of my other blog, I've decided to start this one. I'm not going to write much now because I have one more blog to set up!