Category: Montessori

Category: Montessori

Children engaging with educational beads at House of the Hill Singapore, fostering curiosity.
Teachers as Role Models

Teachers as Role Models: What They Teach Our Children

Amanda September 2024

From the moment a child steps into the classroom at House on the Hill, teachers take on a role far beyond that of a teacher—they become caregivers, mentors, and a guiding presence in a child’s everyday life. Parents place deep trust in teachers when they entrust their children to them each day. Spending much of their time at school, children naturally seek role models among those around them. Our teachers at House on the Hill embrace this vital role with great care and dedication. They provide comfort during tough moments, offer encouraging words, celebrate small successes, and often become the reassuring presence a child needs when feeling homesick. 4 Beautiful Locations Islandwide At House on the Hill, we strive to embody the true Montessori method and philosophy in every lesson and activity. Book A Tour Teachers as Role Models: What They Teach our Children Teachers play a critical role in shaping the future by educating and nurturing the next generation. Here are some key reasons why teachers are so important: 1. Guiding Academic and Intellectual Growth Love for Learning: By creating engaging and dynamic lessons, teachers spark a love for learning that can last a lifetime. Foundation of Knowledge: Teachers impart essential knowledge and skills, laying the foundation for students future learning and success. Critical Thinking: They encourage students to think critically, ask questions, and explore new ideas, fostering intellectual curiosity. 2. Serving as Role Models Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the values and character of children. As they interact with students daily, teachers impart crucial values like respect, kindness, and integrity. This process begins with the basics of communication and behaviour. Modeling Respect and Kindness: Teachers demonstrate respect and kindness through their actions and words. When they address students with consideration, listen actively, and treat each child with fairness, they model how to interact with others in a respectful and empathetic manner. Children learn that showing respect to others is not just a rule but a fundamental part of creating positive relationships. Communication Skills: Effective communication is at the heart of building respectful and kind interactions. Teachers teach children how to express their feelings, articulate their needs, and listen to others. By guiding students through discussions about how to communicate respectfully and resolve conflicts amicably, teachers equip them with the tools to navigate social situations with empathy and understanding. Fostering a Sense of Responsibility: Teachers also instil a sense of responsibility by setting clear expectations and holding students accountable for their actions. When students understand the importance of being responsible for their own behaviour and the impact it has on others, they develop a strong sense of integrity and ethical behaviour. 3. Fostering Emotional and Social Development Teachers are instrumental not only in teaching academic subjects but also in helping children manage and understand their emotions, a vital aspect of emotional and social development. Teaching Emotional Regulation: Teachers introduce strategies for coping with stress, frustration, and anxiety, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and positive self-talk. By teaching these techniques, teachers help children develop emotional resilience and self-regulation skills. Encouraging Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Teachers encourage students to empathise with others and understand different perspectives. They help children identify and articulate their own emotions, as well as recognise and respond to the emotions of their peers. This focus on emotional intelligence enhances children’s ability to build meaningful relationships and navigate social interactions effectively. Supporting Emotional Growth: Teachers often act as a source of comfort and guidance during challenging times. Whether a child is experiencing personal difficulties or facing social challenges, teachers provide a listening ear and offer support. By being attentive and responsive to students emotional needs, teachers contribute significantly to their overall well-being and development. 4. They Create a Safe Space for a Child’s Growth A safe space is an environment where individuals, particularly children, feel secure, respected, and supported. In the growing years of a child, creating a safe space is the key to unlocking their personality and building confidence. Encourages Open Expression: In safe spaces, children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and ideas without fear of ridicule. The openness allows them to engage more deeply in discussions, ask questions, and express their creativity. The freedom to communicate openly supports cognitive development and fosters confidence in their own abilities. Fosters a Sense of Belonging: Feeling a sense of belonging is crucial for children’s social and emotional development. It helps build a positive classroom community where students feel connected to their peers and valued by their teachers. This sense of belonging enhances motivation, engagement, and overall well-being. Facilitates Personal Growth: A safe space allows children to explore their identities and interests without fear of judgment. This exploration is key to personal growth, as it helps students discover their strengths, passions, and areas for improvement. Supportive feedback and encouragement from teachers further foster this growth, helping students build a positive self-image and self-efficacy. 5. Nurturing Lifelong Learners Love for Learning: By creating engaging and dynamic lessons, teachers spark a love for learning that can last a lifetime. Adaptability: They help students develop the skills needed to adapt to new challenges and environments, preparing them for the ever-changing world. 6. Influencing Future Success Career Guidance: Teachers help students discover their strengths and interests, guiding them toward future educational and career paths. Empowerment: By believing in their students’ potential, teachers empower them to achieve their dreams and make positive contributions to society. Unseen Partnership with Parents Parents and teachers are partners in a child’s growth. While parents provide the foundation at home, teachers build upon it each day. This partnership is built on communication, trust, and mutual respect. Teachers are often the ones who notice the small changes—a child who seems more withdrawn than usual or one who is suddenly bursting with excitement about a new interest. They share these insights with parents, creating a bridge between home and school that supports the child’s holistic development. Teachers are more than just educators—they are the cornerstone of society, shaping

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Making a kite

Montessori At Home: Master the Craft of Kite-Making

Amanda September 2024

Making and flying kites are wonderful family activities. Crafting kites with your children encourages creativity and imaginative thinking while flying them gets everyone moving and enjoying the outdoors. Kite-making is particularly enjoyable for children, as they can decorate simple kites, express their creativity, and engage in a fun, hands-on experience. Overall, making a kite with your child offers a blend of creativity, learning, and fun, while also providing an opportunity for meaningful bonding and skill development. Did you know that kites have been used for many purposes, including scientific experiments, military applications, and as a hobby? For instance, Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite experiment demonstrated that lightning is a form of electricity. If you’ve been wondering how to make a kite, it’s an easy and engaging activity you can do at home with your child. Benefits of Kite-Making Kite-making is a fantastic activity for little ones, offering numerous developmental benefits alongside a creative outlet: Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, tying, and assembling a kite helps refine children’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Creativity and Self-Expression: Decorating the kite encourages children to express themselves artistically and explore different materials. Learning Through Play: Flying a kite introduces basic scientific concepts like wind, lift, and gravity in a fun and engaging way. Outdoor Exploration: This activity promotes outdoor play, an essential component of Montessori education, fostering a love for nature. Step-By-Step Guide to Kite-Making Materials Needed: Two lightweight wooden/bamboo sticks (one longer than the other) Paper or lightweight fabric (such as a plastic bag or tissue paper) String (for flying and to tie the sticks together). Tape or glue Scissors Instructions: Form the Kite Frame: Cross the two bamboo sticks to form a “T” shape and tie them together securely at the center using a string. Make sure the shorter stick is positioned about one-third down the length of the longer stick. Create the Kite Sail: Lay your frame on a sheet of paper or fabric and trace around it, leaving an extra inch for folding. Cut out the sail and fold the edges over the frame, securing them with tape or glue. Attach the Flying String: Tie one end of a long piece of string to the center of the cross (the intersection of the sticks). This will be the string your child holds to fly the kite. Add a Tail (Optional): Cut a length of fabric or string and attach it to the bottom of the kite for stability. You can tie on small pieces of fabric or ribbon as bows for decoration. Creative Ways to Personalise It Now comes the fun part—decorating the kite! Encourage your child to use natural materials like leaves, flowers, or non-toxic paints to personalise their creation. Here are a few Montessori-inspired decoration ideas: Natural Dyes: Use beet juice, turmeric, or spinach to create natural dyes and paint patterns on the kite. Nature Shapes: Cut out shapes like leaves, butterflies, or birds from coloured paper and glue them onto the kite for a nature-inspired theme. Textured Collage: Incorporate different textures by gluing on fabric, paper, or sand for a sensory-rich design. Beyond Kite-Making While kite-making is a fun and creative activity that you and your child can enjoy together, it also offers a wonderful opportunity to expand learning beyond the craft itself. Take this experience a step further by incorporating lessons on creativity, problem-solving, science, and nature such as: Experiment with Shapes and Sizes: Make kites in different shapes (diamond, triangle, or dragon-shaped) and see which flies best. Discuss why some shapes perform better than others. Weather Exploration: Introduce a lesson on wind patterns and weather. Ask questions like, “Why does the kite fly better on windy days?” or “What happens if the wind stops?” Journal: Encourage your child to document their kite-making process, draw designs, and write about their experience flying the kite. Ready, Set, Fly! Next time, you can grab these kites on your trip to the beach and watch your little ones explore the winds with it! Activities that involve hands-on crafting, nature exploration, and child-led creativity align perfectly with Montessori principles. Remember to encourage independence by allowing children to make choices, solve problems, and explore at their own pace. At House on the Hill, our emphasis is on letting children take the lead in their learning, with the right amount of support. So gather your materials, get creative, and let your child’s imagination soar high in the sky!

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Teaching Reading and Writing – The Montessori Way

The HotH Team June 2024

Using the Montessori Method in Teaching Language There are innumerable statistics and studies on the importance of literacy and language in a child’s early years; what is clear from the evidence is that exposure to language and reading at a young age correlates positively to a child’s future academic success. 4 Beautiful Locations Islandwide At House on the Hill, we strive to embody the true Montessori method and philosophy in every lesson and activity. Book A Tour Dr. Montessori found that the sensitive period for language–when a child is particularly receptive to learning language–begins at birth and lasts through the fifth or sixth year. It is up to us as educators and guardians to provide the exposure, environment and structure that children need during this time. Upon receiving the right tools Dr. Montessori described children’s “explosion” into reading and writing, when it suddenly all came together with great momentum. At House on the Hill we teach language, reading and writing the Montessori way. We use phonics and hands-on materials to empower children with the tools and confidence to master literacy. Language Materials Preparing a child for reading and writing is built into the Montessori environment. For example, materials are arranged in order of complexity on the shelves, always progressing from left to right, top to bottom. This rule actually applies to many aspects of Montesori teaching, as a subtle way to prepare children to read and write English. Other materials may not be part of the language curriculum, but help build up the necessary skills. One example are the metal insets used for tracing and learning mastery of the pencil by drawing straight lines. This skill builds up the muscles children need to write.  Sandpaper Letters All children begin their language journey with the sandpaper letters. One of the most well-known Montessori materials, the sandpaper letters are the first aid in learning phonics. Each box contains 26 wooden cards with the shape of the letter constructed in sandpaper over a smooth pink (consonant) or blue (vowel) background. Sandpaper letters are often taught using the three period lesson. After the child has set up their work space with a table mat and the sandpaper letters, the teacher will present one letter by tracing her finger and pronouncing the phonic sound. The child will copy the teacher, using one or two fingers to trace the letter in the direction it would be written saying the phonic sound. In the second period, once the child has been introduced to a few letters, the teacher may present two or three at once and ask the child, “which is /p/?” Finally, in the third period the teacher will present one letter and ask the child, “what sound is this?” The three period lesson is characteristic of Montessori’s belief in isolating concepts at the beginning of learning, and letting the child revisit the same lesson in new ways multiple times. Only later will children learn the names of the letters, for example “X is the name of /ks/”.  Movable Alphabet Once the child has learned the phonic alphabet they will be ready to begin building words and sounding out the spelling for objects in their daily lives. The Large Movable Alphabet is one of the first tools for spelling. After getting acquainted with the material the child will begin with objects or pictures of three letter words that use short vowels: cat, pot, bed. As their understanding and mastery grows they will be introduced to other parts of language: blended consonants like “sh” or “pl” and phonemes like “ie” or “ou”. English is a less phonetically spelling language than Dr. Montessori’s native Italian, but materials have been created to help bridge this gap. As they learn these nuances of English, children are reading, writing, and working with materials that allow them to practice, notice patterns and differences, and find confidence in their abilities. This is helping them to build a foundation for them to go on to master the language as they grow Book A Tour Send Us A Message

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Big Changes: How We Prepare Kindergarten (K2s) In Primary School and Beyond

Amanda May 2024

Entering primary school for pre-schoolers is stepping into another phase of life. There are many big changes, for example, the school environment, new friends and teachers. At House on the Hill, we believe that the transition to the primary school experience can be injected with fun! Towards the end of the school year, we start getting our Kindergarten (K2) children ready for the next milestone in their academic journey early, to help them to develop greater confidence and better social skills as they make the transition into formal schooling. 4 Beautiful Locations Islandwide At House on the Hill, we strive to embody the true Montessori method and philosophy in every lesson and activity. Book A Tour Our Montessori curriculum builds foundational academic, social and emotional skills that will benefit children even in the long term. For our K2 children, we pay special attention to ensuring that they are exceptionally well-prepared for the move to ‘Big School’ with special activities just for them and work with their parents to address individual concerns. This big change can be navigated well with teamwork between the teachers and parents! Kindergarten 2: Classroom Preparatory Each day, between September to November, our Kindergarten 2 children come together for a period of lesson in their Primary 1 preparatory classroom. They experience classroom style seating in small groups while group lessons are being conducted, and work on projects or worksheet tasks together. Independence and Responsibility  During the children’s pre-school years, we have always emphasised  independence and responsibility in their own tasks. At school, in addition to the daily routines of taking care of themselves and their personal items, packing their own bags and more, we also introduce little note tasks for the children to write down and be responsible in relaying the message to their peers. We provide opportunities for the children to learn responsibility. They will be tasked with simple tasks such as helping other children refill their bottles, laying the lunch mat or rearranging the Montessori materials. They even learn basic organisation skills, such as filing their own work! At home, we encourage parents to recognise the child’s effort. Revise or work with them on the tasks the teachers have assigned. Organisational skills at home should also be emphasised as they start to form the good habits of packing their own bags and think through the items that will be needed for the next school day. Concept of Money A pivotal part of growing up is learning how to handle and manage money. In school, the children will have the opportunity to use money (in coins and dollars) to learn counting skills as well as money changing. We work on having the children experience practical use of money. In preparation for situations such as recess time in primary school, they are asked to “purchase” their snacks and lunch in school. At home, we recommend that parents provide opportunities for their child to start buying food on their own. For example, when they are buying food in a food court or are paying for items at the supermarket. Start introducing the concept of buying the essentials and saving the rest of the money. This will help them to start understanding how to manage their own pocket money in the future. Concept of Time Understanding the concept of time is an important skill for all children to know. It helps them to develop the ability to plan, schedule, budget time and prioritise. We build on their strong Montessori foundation in numbers and counting. Through routine tasks and time schedule, the K2s learn to complete certain tasks with a certain time frame. They have had opportunities to learn both analog and digital concept of telling time. They know the schedule in school and are able to tell the routines of each day and time by looking at the calendar and clock. At home, we advise parents to set routines by getting their child used to setting their own alarm clock for morning wake-up time, especially on school days. Remind them to get sufficient sleep and rest to get used to waking up early to get to school on time. Plan time for a regular schedule to fix meal times, craft time, work time, rest, and play time. Provide the child with a watch that they can learn to use it to remind of any change of schedule. Spelling Lists Our students have had vigorous practice for this moment in their lives, having experienced an “explosion” into reading and writing, as described by Dr. Maria Montessori. Exposure to phonics and hands-on materials have empowered our children with the tools and confidence to master literacy. Now as they prepare to leave us for Primary school, we add on another layer by simulating a spelling test weekly. We introduce spelling words for them to learn, experience and get used to how this will be conducted in Primary 1. At home, we ask parents to encourage their child to learn the words together with them. Spelling is a visuo-motor skill. This means that they can ask their child to look at the words, see the patterns of the words and practise writing them out. Some of the words can be sounded out using the phonemic patterns that the child has learnt, but some of the longer words have to be learnt through grouping the letters through syllable breakdown. For example, the word table is broken down to ta / ble. Provide opportunities to write in different ways as well as making meaning of the spelling words by making sentences out of the words. Mandarin Spelling Lists (听写) and Han Yu Pin Yin (汉语拼音) Similarly, our children have had regular exposure to Mandarin. Through a robust curriculum, they have developed a deep foundation in the language.  We now begin to introduce Mandarin Spelling Lists 听写 as well as Han Yu Pin Yin 汉语拼音 lists that are tested weekly to the K2s. Again, parents are advised to encourage their child to learn the Chinese

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Using Routines to Help Children Learn

Amanda May 2024

Knowing what is going to happen next is the key to enhancing children’s security and emotional stability.  Not only does it reinforce their trust that caring adults will provide what they need, but it frees up their emotional tank and allows them to do the important “work” of childhood including playing, exploring and learning, said House on the Hill Principal, Marilyn Ow.    4 Beautiful Locations Islandwide At House on the Hill, we strive to embody the true Montessori method and philosophy in every lesson and activity. Book A Tour What is a routine and how do you use them for positive outcomes? Routines are like instructions that guide a child’s actions toward a specific goal, and they can be used for many reasons, but two of the most important are ensuring children’s health and safety, and helping children learn positive, responsible behaviour.  You can support children to learn to manage their behaviour when you: View children as capable and competent and approach situations from a strengths-based perspective. Ensure they feel secure and let them know that you are there to help and support them. Provide positive reinforcement, encouraging a strong sense. For example, at House on the Hill, the children wash their hands before they have a snack. Once they have finished their snack, the children take any leftover food and their bowls to the cart and then wash their hands. Our simple handwashing routine is a simple yet effective example of how routines can positively impact young children’s development. Why are routines so important for young children? Within early years settings it’s crucial that all teachers have a good sense of routine and how that routine benefits children. Research has shown the importance of routines and evidence linking routines to positive developmental outcomes in children, covering:   Security and Stability: Routines provide a predictable framework for the day. Children know what to expect, which reduces anxiety and fosters a sense of security. This allows them to feel safe exploring and learning within that framework. Self-Regulation: Consistent routines help children develop self-regulation skills. They learn to anticipate transitions and manage their emotions accordingly. Following routines builds a sense of accomplishment, boosting confidence and self-esteem. Social-Emotional Development: Routines create a predictable social environment. Children learn to take turns, share, and cooperate within the established structure. This fosters positive social interactions and emotional intelligence. Cognitive Development: Routines help children develop memory and sequencing skills. They learn to predict what comes next and can mentally prepare for transitions. This repetitive structure strengthens cognitive pathways. Academic Skills: Consistent routines establish a foundation for future learning. Children become accustomed to focused activities, transitions, and following instructions. This prepares them for more structured academic environments. Physical and Mental Health: Predictable routines promote healthy sleep patterns and eating habits. Knowing what to expect throughout the day reduces stress, contributing to overall well-being. How do routines help children learn? Routines provide children with a context for learning. Through effective use of routines and transitions, children learn how their world is organised and what they need to do in order to interact successfully in it. For example, after they wake up, they need to get dressed and have breakfast before getting ready to go to preschool.  Once they arrive at school they will: Say goodbye to their parent/caregiver. Walk through the door to get their temperature checked and wash their hands. Say good morning to the teachers. Walk to their classroom, put their shoes and bag in their respective cubby holes, and remove their water bottle to take into class. Next is free play before sitting down together as a group.  Routines provide children with a sense of continuity throughout the day and let them know what to expect next. When planned properly, routines also offer opportunities for children to learn methods associated with math and sequencing, including: Following an ordered sequence of activities Determining relationships between elements Counting Making simple calculations Participating in common daily routines can also have a powerful effect on children’s language development, with many day-to-day activities providing excellent prompts for discussion. Teachers and parents can name items being used in the routine, discuss each action as it is being done and talk about what comes next.  How does House on the Hill demonstrate this within our school? Arrival time has become a significant part of our school’s everyday morning/afternoon routines and acts as a significant means of support for both families and children with their transitions between home and school.   When children arrive in the morning it can make them feel calm and reassured to see a familiar teacher’s face as well as some of their favourite activities.  Self-help skills are also encouraged throughout the school, particularly as your child progresses into older rooms.  Learning to prepare their own healthy snacks, setting the table for meals and washing up their own plates after eating are some of the ways we help children develop a sense of agency.  Mealtimes in the school provide a solid base for children to begin engaging in positive interactions with each other as well as carry out meaningful conversations in which they can get to know each other more. In essence, routines are incredibly important for young children. As children grow and learn, routines help them to develop a sense of security and feel safe in what we often refer to as a stable learning environment. In other words, routines help integrate children’s learning with an “organised connection.” When children are in a good routine, not only do they feel confident and in control, but they also learn to develop positive social skills and a sense of satisfaction in being able to do things for themselves. 

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Montessori at Home: How to Create a Personalised Montessori Daily Routine Card

Amanda May 2024

This Montessori at Home activity will show you how to make a personalised daily Montessori routine card and then how to use it. You want to empower your child to sequence their task of routines to help them make better decisions, so they can plan for their time. Making a Montessori personalised routine card helps your child to identify with the images at a deeper level and understand it’s THEM doing the task. Using Montessori routine cards and a prepared environment is the key to success when fostering independence with your child. Plus, it is a great way to introduce the idea of routines, to have conversations about daily life and the daily rhythm of your family. It’s a good idea to get all the family members thinking about what is working and what is not before you even start to implement the visual schedule. 4 Beautiful Locations Islandwide At House on the Hill, we strive to embody the true Montessori method and philosophy in every lesson and activity. Book A Tour Start With Taking Photos You can do this on a regular day. Go through your normal morning routine and evening routine. As your child does the tasks that you want them to do (ideally without you nagging), take a photo of them in action. If you have more than one child, then we recommend taking photos of each one and making them a set of visual routine cards for each child. Set aside an hour at the weekend or a less busy time of day and explain to your child what you are going to do. What Should You Be Taking Photos of? Think about the tasks your child needs to do in order to leave home in the morning or go to sleep in the evening. For toddlers, this could be brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and putting their breakfast dishes in the sink. Add in any other practical life skills that take place in the regular rhythm of the day. For older children, it could involve tasks such as packing their school bag, putting their dirty clothes in the laundry basket, and giving you any papers that have been sent home from school. It could also include tasks that you want to delegate such as when to water plants or feeding your pet. How to Create Your Personalised Daily Montessori Routine Card Now you have your photos, you can make your printable Montessori routine card. Step 1:  Print the activity sheets using a printer. Here is the Printable Routine Card. Step 2: Print your photos, cut them and stick them onto the activity sheet using glue. Step 3: Write your child’s name on the activity card at the top. Step 4: Laminate the activity sheet so it can be used for a longer period. Step 5: Place your child’s activity sheet on the fridge or their bedroom door. Step 6: As your child completes the task, they can tick off the completed activity. Remember Keep It Simple If your child is brand new to all this, start with just two or three tasks and make them into a micro routine. Remind them each day about using their daily Montessori routine card. Once it becomes a consistent routine, you can add in a couple more tasks or another micro routine. No Rewards As tempting as it is to give a reward, you may regret it later. If you are using this for jobs that need doing at home, remember that you, as a parent, don’t get paid for these tasks so your child doesn’t need to either. Instead, instil that they are an active member of the family, and it is part of their role to do the tasks to support the family. The younger your child is when you start, the easier it will be for your child to follow these steps. In essence, routines are incredibly important for young children. As children grow and learn, routines help them to develop a sense of security and feel safe in what we often refer to as a stable learning environment. In other words, routines help integrate children’s learning with an “organised connection.” When children are in a good routine, not only do they feel confident and in control, but they also learn to develop positive social skills and a sense of satisfaction in being able to do things for themselves. 

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Montessori at Home: Learning Responsibilities at Home

Amanda April 2024

Montessori at Home: Learning Responsibilities at Home Thinking about setting up a Montessori home learning environment? This is a fantastic way to reinforce key Montessori principles, foster positive educational habits, and participate in your child’s developmental journey at home. The Montessori concept of “help me to do it myself” is the most important principle to keep in mind when setting up the Montessori activity. With Montessori education, the goal is for your child to learn through authentic experiences. Using everyday household objects also teaches an important lesson: responsibility. Children learn to treat their things and the possessions of their friends and family with care. Dr. Montessori believed that every child is capable of greatness when given the opportunity to learn, make mistakes, and grow. Having the right environment to do that is essential. It’s essential to remember that the Montessori experience isn’t limited to a room for learning. Your child doesn’t stop learning and exploring when they put a book back on the shelf or clean up their art supplies. The Montessori experience is a whole-home experience – from the kitchen to the bathroom, from the bedroom to the living room. The goal of all parents is to help guide your child to become a happy, healthy, and independent individual. Your child will develop their inner discipline and work towards the path to independence when they are given ample opportunities to complete the tasks set up in the Prepared Environment at home. Here are our top 4 activities 1. Keeping the House Clean Children love to help clean, sweep, scrub, and wipe. These chores allow them to practise their physical movements and manipulative tasks and engage them in keeping the home clean. Remember to first demonstrate the task step by step, and model the whole process while your child waits and watches until you are finished. Once you hand the task over, try not to interrupt or comment, so your child can experience a sense of accomplishment, with every attempt they made. It may not be perfect in your eyes, but it is important to let your child be satisfied with their accomplishment and efforts! 2. Taking Care of Laundry How to make a washing machine out of cardboard. You’ll need the following tools and materials to build your DIY cardboard washing machine. Materials Used Cardboard Box Duct Tape Electrical Tape Kraft Paper Cutter Scissors Marker Glue Round Laundry Basket Round Objects (such as bottle caps; to serve as control switches) Instructions Design the front panel – Using the recycled cardboard box, outline. First, you can draw a big circle for its door. You can use your laundry basket as a pattern. Then, draw some small circles for the buttons. You can add some, numbers, and other features. Then colour them according to what design you want. You can even paint it. Anything creative. Make a door – Draw the door onto the cardboard and cut the circle. You can choose to have the washing door on the front or at the top. Attach a small and light door handle. Then, re-attach the door using a hinge. Assemble the body – You can now assemble the box to make the body of the washing machine. Add a laundry basket. Check the size – Make sure the sides are fully attached. You can use glue or a glue gun and support with duct tape to maintain further shape. Next, ask your child to pick the clothes he or she would like to wash in the washing machine. Once the clothes are cleaned, ask your child to hang them on the clothesline to dry. If your child would like the clothes wet for the full effect, add water into a bucket for them to wash in cold water, making sure they wring out the clothes before handing them on the line. 3. Folding Clothes Folding clothes also encourages children to spend lots of loosely structured time purposefully and wisely in activities that promote: Learning new words and gaining language skills. How to make this easy DIY child-sized folding board. Materials The materials that you need for this project are cardboard, scissors, and tape. Instructions The cardboard should be 55cm x 50cm. Important to remember the two flaps must be equal in width. Shown below are the pieces marked and labelled. Use the scissors to cut along the lines. Now we add the tape onto the back of the pieces and as per the display below. The key is that the side flaps and the bottom flap must be able to fold.  The tape is the “hinge”. Ask your child to pick a shirt they wish to use for the folding board. Place the item on the folding board. Fold one flap and the shirt over then fold the other and shirt over (see picture below). Bring the flaps (without the shirt) back flat. Fold up the bottom flap and shirt. Bring the bottom flap back down without the shirt. Then watch as your child is proud of their effort at folding his or her shirt. 4. Sorting and Organisation of Clothes Doesn’t it feel like children outgrow their clothes with amazing speed? This is a good time to empty closets of clothing they have outgrown, as well as sorting through and organising them so that children can become more independent and take care of their belongings on their own. Children as young as 2 years old can begin to learn sorting. Have your child help match and sort out socks, or they can sort their clothing by colour. Not only does this build math skills and help them identify colours, but it can become a fun game for them as well! For older children, guide them to fold or hang the clothing up. Model how you want them to do it and try not to expect perfection immediately. Practice makes perfect! Important Tips to Remember Freedom of Choice: Encourage your child to choose an activity based on their interests. One Activity at a Time:

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