•First, select an opportunity with a simple, familiar, not-too-complicated-nor-long art project, and invite your child to join in.

•Explain that the project includes Clean Up, “We’re going to do a art project today, and we’re going to make sure that we leave the space clean and ready, because there are many more art projects to come, and we want to make sure our space is ready for the next one.”

•Do the art project

•Ensuring that the child collects the necessary materials and tools  from their storage spot (and thereby knows where to put them back at the end of the project)

•Ensure that there is clean up to do (scraps needing sweeping up on the floor, drops of paint needing wiping on the table, etc.)

•Invite the child to put away tools and materials

•Explain that different cleaning tools for cleaning are needed for different projects.

•Examine the project area to see what needs tidying – i.e. some drops of paint on the table

•Select the appropriate cleaning material, and model how to use it; modeling simple, clear, deliberate, and precise movements is key – and remember to use words or actions (but not both)

•Try to put yourself in the child’s shoes: a sponge is a brand-new tool to them, and they haven’t been cleaning dishes and surfaces for decades mastering the use of a sponge

•For example, show how to wet the sponge, wring it out (so it doesn’t drip on the floor), wipe the table in methodical movements, rinse the sponge, wring it out, and put it back in its “home”

•Invite the child to try

Here are some components that I thought through to update and create a reliable CUSU:

– collect materials to have on hand: ensure that the CUSU has basic materials to clean up a variety of art projects – for me this included:

– sponge

– cloth (a wash cloth or rag for drying)

– dust pan & brush

– prepare an appropriate surface for a variety of art projects: for me, I use a child-size table that has enough space and has a wipeable, surface that is resistant to water

– think through which sink will be used for cleaning paint brushes and art supplies, and ensure that the child can reach the sink (stool, etc.)

– prepare an appropriate spot in which wet art work can dry (i.e. where wet paintings can be hung)

–must mention this… it is  very  important to have a place to collect her wet art work after they are dry. I use a big plastic folder!

– assure that the cleaning materials have a permanent home that is child-accessible…this way the child can access the cleaning materials they need when they need them.

…stay tuned for another post on how to introduce your child to the CUSU…

Spring is in the air, and nature is beckoning to be appreciated and explored.  This makes me want to dive into art projects that utilize various parts of nature and objects found around the house.  One simple art project that Chelyn enjoys over and over again is Sponge Painting with Potatoe stamping.  This is a simple project that you probably already have the supplies for (and these are basic supplies usable for a wide variety of projects your Little Artist will enjoy).

Materials: a potato, knife, 2-4 strofoam meat trays, paint, sponge, paper

–How To:

– cut the potato in half

– cut out a design or shape on one side of each piece

– squirt a dollop of paint – one color per styrofoam tray

– consult your Little Artist to decide which potato piece will go with which color

– model how to press the potato piece into the paint on the meat tray and stamp it onto the paper

– invite the child to try

– invite the child to hang up the artwork and clean up the workspace

Just so you know, we have used the final product as a gift wrapping paper!

I wanted a playroom that worked for Chelyn (my 4-year-old daughter), and I wanted a playroom that worked for me: both were equally important as I was putting the space together. I knew from the outset that the more successful I was in providing independent and engaging activities, the more I would like the whole thing. I came to this project first as a mother, then as a consultant to parents in creating inspiring learning spaces (see BellasCasa.com), and with the background of my 11+ years as a Montessori teacher.

For the playroom, my main goals included organization, beauty, and independence…and that it would stay organized and beautiful with as little effort as possible. I wanted the space to be beautiful, colorful, and inviting. I decided to focus on Chelyn’s favorite color at the time – red. Sky blue seemed like a nice complement to red and would tone down the power of the red. Before I bought anything, I scoured my house for anything I had that was red or sky blue: I found the globe, a small play tent, an atlas, and a reference book for birds. I wanted the room to feel inviting and lovely – after all, we’re all drawn to lovely spaces, and children are no different.

the reading corner with the Rainbow Mobile

I was delighted to realize after everything came together that I spent less than $100 on all of the furniture in the room – a good reminder to myself that the right option doesn’t have to be expensive. For example, the work table was given to me years ago by a dear friend, the chair was from a school’s yard sale for $2, the writing table was also from a yard sale for $7.00 and I bought the Art shelf for $35 from a B&B we visited where I noticed it unused and covered in dust in the corner!

the writing table and the art shelf

the language shelf and table and chair

the laguage shelf

To support Chelyn’s independence, I organized the supply closet and the playroom in such a way that allowed Chelyn to access everything she needed for the complete process of various activities (i.e. floor cover, paints, paper, paint brushes, a place to hang the painting(s) to dry, and all the supplies to clean it up by herself.)

In the end, the room has been quite effortless to maintain – mainly because it’s set up to take advantage of my (and, I believe, every) 4-year-old’s natural inclination for order when the environment is set up to allow and promote it. I delight in getting to support my clients in creating inspiring living and learning spaces that cater to their unique needs – this room has met my needs and Chelyn’s needs, and we’re both delighted by the prolific artistic and creative results – not to mention the time that I have to myself because Chelyn is content to explore and create independently.

Just so you know, this is the before picture of our playroom.

Just by having the Little Linguist Tote available, spontaneous writing happens often. The little linguist has the opportunity to write letters, make lists, write and illustrate original stories, doodle, write notes, and just plain express themselves. The tote invites and allows for frequent indirect writing and letter-formation practice – my daughter, Chelyn – age 4, often tells me, “Mommy, I wrote and ‘a’!” or “Look! I wrote a ‘l’ for Ms. Lorri !” – this happens when her writing exploration using Little Linguist Tote materials have resulted in shapes that she recognizes as specific letters and numbers.

The Tote entices (without forcing) natural prolific writing: Chelyn “writes” tons of letters (“writes” – meaning that she draws a picture, writes some letters on the page, adds some stickers, completes her thought and expression, tucks it in the envelope of her choice, adheres the desired recipient’s name & address prepared label, then puts it in the designated “Out Box”). She writes to her teachers, her pastor, and all our relatives. These hand-written, unprompted creations continue to delight the recipients – when last did you receive a handwritten letter?

You can also create writing area in your child’s room with this tote. This is Chelyn’s writing center in her playroom!

Contents of the Little Linguist Tote

– 2 pads of sticky notes
– 7 black note cards
– 7 envelopes
– 3 pages of assorted stickers
– 10 pages of story paper with space for illustration
– 70 sheets of assorted color papers (4-6)
– 2 pencils
– 1 set of colored pencils (12)
–1 writing board (6×8)

Recommended Additions for you to add to the Tote (not included):

– triangular pencils (ideal for developing pincer grip)
– post cards
– alphabet Stamps
– alphabet Stickers
– butterfly punch
– ruler
– stamps and stamp pad
– water color
– markers
– alphabet chart

Of all of the options out there for hanging mobiles, the first priority is safety. Beyond that, it’s whatever option works best for your home and set up.

One good option is a plant hook screwed into the ceiling described here. Another option is a wall-mounted clear acrylic mobile hanger found here. Either option works for hanging over your child’s movement mat.

Keep in mind that there are different hanging criteria for mobiles (light mobiles like the Visual Mobile Series designed to flow in air currents) vs. toys (such as the Hanging Toys which the baby will be grasping and tugging on).

Again, safety is of utmost importance. Before presenting the mobile, inspect the set up to ensure safety. When first presenting the mobile to your baby, stay close by to ensure it is safe.

Keep in mind that the mobiles are for the visual sense only!

By the way, this hook is one we use at our home.

The Little Linguists set offers your child the necessary keys to reading that will set them up for success as a budding reader! The strategy is simple:  phonetic words + non-phonetic sight words = reading success.

3 sets of cards are included:

– Phonetic Word Cards

– Phonogram List Cards

– Sight Word Cards

 After your child can connect letters and sounds (identify the letter/symbol ‘b’ and say ‘buh’), they are ready to launch into reading with the “Little Linguists Set”.

First introduce the set of Phonetic Word Cards:  each card has a short phonetic word and offers the opportunity to combine the familiar symbols & sounds to read each word.  

Next, introduce the Phonogram List Cards:  a “phonogram” is simply a combination of letters that makes one unique sound:  for example, the phonogram ‘sh’ makes the sound ‘sh’ as in ‘ship.’

Finally, introduce the Sight Word Cards.  These cards contain super-common non-phonetic words.  Instead of sounding them out, the child easily memorizes the word.  The selection of words is carefully researched and represents the 125 most common words in the English language.

 All of the cards are perfectly sized for the little hands of the budding reader.

An enclosed instruction card provides more ideas and details for how to use the cards with your child.

 Happy Reading!

How The Pack Works:

We take The Pack, for example, to the restaurant we’re going to, and when Chelyn is finished eating, she selects materials from The Pack to work with.  She is engaged, we’re respecting the environment (not disturbing others), and the adults at the table get to continue eating and talking.

What The Pack Contains:

• Crayons – good quality
• Sketchbook with blank paper – blank paper is best – inviting creativity and imagination; the opposite of a page from a coloring book and
• Colored Pencils – please spare no expense.  Prismacolor are a great brand.  I was talking with a friend who vividly remembers the set of prismacolor colored pencils that her mom got for her at age 4, and she used them for decades – literally.  Keep in mind that the child has an acute sense for color and exact shades – after all, they delight in the Gobbi Mobile with 5 different shades of green, for example, when they are just 7 weeks old.  It’s a gift for the child to have at their disposal multiple shades of colors when they are representing their surroundings and imagination on paper.
• A few of her favorite books and some stickers

 The Value of The Pack:

• Boredom is avoided – when I think about it, for anyone of any age, there’s only so much staring at the wall with nothing to engage the mind that one can do!
• More peace of mind for the adult – when Chelyn is engaged, I’m better able to focus and be present for what needs my attention.
• Precious keepsake or a sketchbook filled with priceless creations over the years.