If you haven’t heard of Montessori By Mom, I’m thrilled to introduce to you this exciting new business and some awesome themed Montessori activities! In addition, I have a beautiful free printable created by Nathan from Montessori by Mom to share with you!
Along with sharing the free printable, I’ve put together some activities using the Montessori By Mom materials. Some of these are activities using the Montessori By Mom online resources to extend the materials included in the toolbox.
Disclosure: I’m a Montessori By Mom affiliate. I was given the first monthly package for this review/activity post.
Montessori By Mom
Montessori By Mom is a small business started by Nathan and Teresa Hadsall, two teachers who wanted to empower parents to teach their own children using Montessori principles and activities. Nathan and Teresa offer a subscription service, sending a box of themed Montessori materials and activities for 3-5 year olds each month. Everything you need for teaching your child with the materials is included in the monthly subscription.
With each box, you’ll get
- Video instruction for 6-8 activities (Teresa is an AMS-certified Montessori teacher, and I watched all her videos for the Shells and Starfish Toolbox. The videos were wonderful! Parents with no Montessori experience can feel comfortable introducing the Montessori activities after watching Teresa’s clear instructions.)
- Video instruction about basic Montessori principles and teaching techniques
- All the materials needed for the 6-8 activities
- Bonus activities and ideas for more activities using materials at home
- Access to an online forum where you can ask questions and connect with other parents
Shells and Starfish Box and Activities
Shells and Starfish Box from Montessori by Mom
The Shells and Starfish Toolbox is the first monthly box you’ll receive as a subscriber to Montessori By Mom. In the Shells and Starfish Toolbox, you’ll receive:
● Blue Mat
● Small White Tray
● 2 Stainless Steel Shell Dishes
● 50 Starfish Bead Counters
● Small Spoon
● A Set of Cards numbered 0-9
● A Set of Sandpaper Numbers 0-9
● Bag of Small Shells
● 8 Shells
I wondered at first what to do with the sandpaper numbers, since I already have Alison’s Montessori sandpaper numbers. As soon as I opened the box, I realized it would be a great matching activity to keep both sets of sandpaper numbers in the box I already had (they fit). The sandpaper numbers are a bit different from Alison’s Montessori sandpaper numbers, but they’re both nice-quality wooden Montessori materials. The minor differences make a matching activity more interesting.
Free Printable Ocean-Scene Preschool Number Sequence Puzzle from Montessori By Mom
Free Printable Ocean-Scene Preschool Number Sequence Puzzle from Montessori By Mom
Montessori By Mom is sharing this free printable Ocean-Scene Preschool Number Sequence Puzzle. Because of the beauty of the printable, I printed mine out on high-quality photo paper rather than cardstock. You can laminate either photo paper or cardstock to extend the life of the puzzle.
To download a high-quality printable image, click here.
Shells and Starfish Activities Using the Montessori By Mom Materials
Shell Transfer Activity
Shell Transfer Activity
I love this simple practical life activity because the materials are lovely. The spoon and shell dishes add both interest and beauty, and the shells themselves are an inviting sensory experience. In the video, Teresa gives the progression for introducing this activity, starting with transferring by hand.
Starfish Activity for Associating Quantity and Numerals
Screenshot of Teresa Introducing Quantity and Symbol in the Online Video Instruction
In the online videos, Teresa gives clear instructions showing exactly how to introduce both quantity and numeral and then associate quantity with numeral. You can easily see how to set up and give each presentation.
Starfish Activity for Associating Quantity and Numerals
This photo shows the layout for the first starfish activity associating quantity and numerals. For home use, Teresa tells in the video that this activity can be used as an alternative to the traditional Montessori spindle boxes.
Ocean-Scene Number-Sequence Puzzle and Seashell Counting Activity
Ocean-Scene Number-Sequence Puzzle and Seashell Counting Tray
I prepared this activity to extend the Montessori By Mom materials using the beautiful free printable puzzle Nathan created. I placed exactly 55 shells (the number of shells needed for the activity) on the dish for an additional counting activity. Younger children could just put the puzzle together.
Ocean-Scene Number-Sequence Puzzle and Seashell Counting Activity
Seashell Matching
Seashell Matching
This isn’t one of the 6-8 activities that comes with the box, although the seashells are included. I printed out the pictures from the Montessori By Mom online printable shell information for parents. I prepared a simple matching activity here that would work well for even young preschoolers.
Seashell Excavation Bin
Seashell Excavation Bin
The bin, sand, and scoop don’t come with the box, but they’re easily found. The bin is a plastic shoebox-sized container from the Dollar Tree, and you could use whatever scoop or small shovel you have. If you follow my blog, you’ll notice that I’ve used this container with sand for a number of different themes. I would encourage children to dig very carefully to avoid breaking the shells. Again I added the shell picture cards as a matching activity after the shells are excavated.
Seashells and Seashell Information Booklet
Seashells and Seashell Information Booklet
I again used the online seashell information to create an extension activity. I simply printed out the seashell information, cut the pages into smaller pages, and added a binder ring. This would work well for kindergarten- and elementary-age children or preschoolers who could read well. Younger children might enjoy looking at the pictures and finding the seashell that matches each picture.
The seashells and information booklet could be added to a nature table. The information booklet includes name, habitat, geographic location, and fun facts for each shell.
Montessori By Mom Special Offer for New Subscribers!
The Montessori By Mom materials and curriculum are very impressive. I definitely recommend Montessori By Mom for parents looking for a simple and fun way to start using Montessori at home.
Montessori By Mom is offering $10 off to new subscribers with the coupon code AFFDECH! Montessori By Mom is based in the U.S., but there’s even international shipping!
You can connect with Nathan and Teresa on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and YouTube (where you can see their public videos, including a Montessori By Mom subscription sample). They also have a blog with more helpful information and free printables.
UPDATE: Montessori By Mom now has a Montessori By Mom store where you can buy single toolboxes, activity sets, single items and refills, and printables and videos!
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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