tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501824432676733753.post7211323675804345880..comments2024-03-26T02:11:37.643-07:00Comments on NAMC Montessori Teacher Training Blog: Modern Materials Used in the Infant/Toddler EnvironmentNorth American Montessori Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03192846885830826722noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501824432676733753.post-24245268952548329892018-01-29T15:30:18.592-08:002018-01-29T15:30:18.592-08:00I can see how the one or two year oldwould benefit...I can see how the one or two year oldwould benefit from these objects shown in the image above (hammer, colourful blocks and balls may teach children different colours and shapes. As well as how the others may be helpful for eyeand hand coordination. But i fail to understand how this would help the younger children who are three months to a year old. Could someone help me understand how these objects would still be age appropriate beyond the fact that they may be able to pick them up and place them in their mouths just to have a feel of what they are?moratzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04818053517384279511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501824432676733753.post-81629158974086143522013-10-09T21:18:21.913-07:002013-10-09T21:18:21.913-07:00Dr. Montessori did not have infant or toddler clas...Dr. Montessori did not have infant or toddler classes, at that time, children remained in home at such a young age. Therefore, she did not develop materials for infants and toddlers. While some things can be appropriately adapted, such as simplified dressing frames and practical life activities, others cannot. Introducing a smaller set of knobbed cylinders or the larger cubes from the pink tower to a toddler environment is not helpful. At that age, it is difficult to understand why blocks cannot be pushed over and many things can teach the lessons that a toddler would gain from the cylinders. There is a reverence that a 3 year old has for these materials, when presented in the 3-6 environment, with the correct presentation and all pieces present. That is lost when he has been using them in the toddler class. I have seen many of the above listed items in various Montessori toddler environments, and I have used many myself. Some are more beneficial in an infant environment, such as the Skwish and the wooden rattle. I have had a ball tracker in every class I have ever had, it is wonderful for many things including distracting a child who is sad to say goodbye to his parent. It also teaches cause/effect, visual tracking, problem solving etc. I do not care for that particular puzzle, while it is knobbed, I think that the design is too busy for my taste, others might disagree. We do have regular blocks and that exact hammer work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501824432676733753.post-41548266383008205052013-07-19T17:44:16.711-07:002013-07-19T17:44:16.711-07:00I too would bring modern materials into our Toddle... I too would bring modern materials into our Toddler environment. I always would make sure that there was an educational reason why they were on the shelf. Not just "toys" to play with. Sometimes, sorting, eye/hand coordination, sequencing, etc. One needs to be able to explain why the work is on the shelf. :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com