Blocks are necessity in learning environment. It is a tool to help children’s development in all areas. Following are a few skills you can build by playing with blocks.

Social Foundation – Information Recall and Connection children learn to work together, build relationship with others. (Threes). Recalls and uses the sequence of events in a past experience to solve a present problem (Fours).
Math concept- children learn language by describing the shapes and colors of the blocks. Child learn math concept by counting blocks and creating pattern with it Sorts and classifies objects into two groups by one attribute. (Threes). Sorts and classifies objects by one attribute, and then further sorts each group by a second attribute. (Fours)
Physical- children learn the physical skills of holding, stacking, balancing, and lining up the blocks. Younger children will manipulate and older ones will master and build with intention. Regardless, give blocks to children of any age and observe how they play with them.

Block Sorting ( sort by shape or sort by color or sort by size)

Children can recognize the difference of materials in their environment typically by 18 months, they will be able to recognize same colors, shapes, size.

Block Counting

You can count as you play or if you want to be more structured, use number of sheets as a guide to stack up blocks. For example1-block tower goes on the 1, a 2-block tower goes on the 2, 3 on 3, and so on.

Shape Matching

Create different patterns with the blocks on a sheet of paper and match each one.

Fill in Block shapes

Give your child either the 5 or 10 blocks you used and ask them if they know how to fit them into the shape.

Block patterns

What color comes after blue? You can ask the children to guess the pattern while measuring the heights of toys by using blocks.

Measuring how tall by using blocks

Now my kid can tell her favorite doll is 3 blocks tall. This will also help with Mathematical skills in the future.

Block painting

Block painting is a combination of Art and Math. Endless possibility to create art by using blocks.

Creative building

since blocks are open-ended. children can play in any possible ways they can think of. Building with blocks promote creativity and imagination.

Being a working mom who doesn’t send children to school, I wonder how am I going to teach my children necessary skills and kindergarten readiness in a limited amount of time when I am with my children.

We are blessed to have both sets of grandparents to watch my toddler and preschooler while we are at work. That single thought of not wanting my kids to be left behind drives me to become certified in early childhood education. Honestly, I didn’t know how to start to teach my kids as there are a lot of overwhelming information out there. After tremendous research on homeschool philosophy, I am leaning more towards Montessori education at home. As most Montessori inspired activities are play based learning and self correcting, there is less role of teacher and more of child led and child oriented activities. Best part is that creating love of learning in comfort loving home environment.

Just to get you started on this path, or to encourage you, here are a few reasons and tips for homeschooling preschoolers.

• Stress and expectation – Check your expectation on becoming homeschool expert. We will not be able to duplicate a classroom environment, school schedule, and curriculum in your home. However, since Montessori is child led, preparing the environment in Montessori way, children will be able to have their own work period by self learning and exploring Montessori materials.
• Good for busy parents– In Montessori, there is no right or wrong way of using the learning materials. We need to do presentation once, then let the children decide how they want to work with the toys or materials as long as they are not destroying.
• Becoming a role model– Your kids learn how to treat and communicate with others and how to respect themselves by watching and copying your behavior. I used to be a forgetful messy person, and not returning things back to their original place. Now that I want to be a role model, I have to do a lot of self-awareness to return things to model Montessori work cycle. As a result, I become better at returning and organizing things.
• Stress free environment– Research of children shows that children in academic environment are more anxious and less creative than learning at home groups. Direct instruction group have more stress than child centered home based learning.
• EQ over IQ – Growing up in Asian culture, we are worried about the children’s academic performance more so than enjoyment of the relationship with our children. Most of the time, we are missing out what is important for our children because we are too focused on achievement. Thinking children as a complete human being and letting them explore, move independently, believing them they are capable of doing anything given an appropriate environment, and discuss with what’s going on their world will make them become a well rounded compassionate adults.
• Bonding time– As a busy working mom, I can easily incorporate Montessori at home without affecting our bonding time by doing chores together. Cooking, cleaning and doing dish together, are a few example of Montessori practical life skills activities providing the right sized furniture and tools for children. Healthy intellectual kids are raised by having good relationship between kids and parents. Doing household chores or letting them involve in small decision such as what to cook for dinner can provide them sense of own importance. Working together with parents also learn and increase vocabulary in playful way.
• Parents as a guide/facilitator– Your role is as a facilitator to your child’s learning. Very often you’ll find yourself learning something new right alongside your child. Do not think as if you are not qualified to homeschool your children especially if you are not Montessori trained. There are a lot of resources out there to self-taught.
• Montessori Toys/ materials – You’ll be surprised by how few materials you need to teach. We don’t need iconic Montessori materials to practice Montessori philosophy and education at home. Children does not need to have all educational toys. Play is primary way for children to learn and we can always find household items and DIY to let the child practice on a skill they are into.
• This is your school– You’re the teacher, principal, all rolled into one. If you want to spend an entire day going for a nature walk, do it! Teaching Math while cooking all day, do it! Being spontaneous and flexible to meet you and your child’s needs is part of fun adventure, and everyday discoveries.

Happy learning at home!