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After being told I would never be able to have children, I am now a stay-at-home Mommy to Maddie who happens to have Down Syndrome. I've been married 16 years to my best friend, having the time of my life. Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our little journey through life.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

More Valentine Fun!

I made a few more Valentine activities for Maddie to go along with her sensory box activity.
I'm so glad we'll have a few things to keep us busy while we huddle inside out of the cold weather! 

First, we made little "flower arrangements" 

It's still a little tricky for Maddie to get the pipe cleaners into the shaker, but we'll keep working on it.  She just likes to bend the pipe cleaners!

Next, I made "sound boxes"
I found these heart containers at the dollar spot at Target.  I tried to put things that would sound different when shook.  

I hot glued them together...

and marked the correct pair on the bottom.  

Maddie shake, shake, shakes!!

and tries to find the match.  


This is another activity that is probably a little too advanced for her right now.  She just likes to shake, shake, shake!!

I'm a little torn as to whether I should continue to introduce these things I know are a challenge or wait until she can master them.  A lot of Montessori things I read says to put the activity away until they can use the materials correctly.  I kind of disagree.  
We keep things light-hearted and playful around here and when she shakes the "sound boxes" she's learning, even if she doesn't understand matching yet.  
I think what Montessori was referring to was probably respecting materials and using them properly.  
Anyone have any insights on this?




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3 comments:

  1. Well, I don't know enough of the Montessori philosophy since we have decided to send our daughter to a Waldorf School, however, I would say anything that she is enjoying and learning something like making noise sounds good to me. Of course the Waldorf philosophy is learning by discovering and waiting to really teach until they are much older.

    Anyway, I love your activities and would love it if you would share them at our sharing party at http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2012/02/sharing-saturday-6.html. Thank you!!

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  2. Thanks for the encouragement! I will definitely be linking up.

    -Sam

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  3. I so needed to see this post! I love your ideas for Valentine's Day! We may be doing some of them tomorrow :) Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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