Montessori Compatible Holiday Gift Guide

For those who celebrate, Christmas is right around the corner. If you’re looking for a Montessori compatible gift, here are a few considerations when shopping

• Keep it real! If you are thinking of gifting toy kitchen items or toy garden tools or even toy tools, consider giving the real thing instead. Children love to have an active role in adult life. They strive for independence as well as connection. You are not only giving the gift of kitchen or gardening tools, real tools and supplies give the gift of cooking or gardening together. (Sidenote: this is not to say that a play kitchen or toy tools are a bad idea. Imaginative play is an important part of development. One of my most cherished childhood toys was the Mickey Mouse kitchen that was housed in the corner of our kitchen in my childhood home. I remember going back and forth between cooking a pretend Thanksgiving dinner and helping my aunt make chocolate pies).

• Look for simple toys made from high-quality materials. We know that young children are in the sensitive period for sensorial perception. Capitalize on that whenever possible by offering toys made from natural materials like wood, cloth or glass. Brightly colored electronic toys may seem more enticing; but simple, beautifully made toys inspire creativity and keep their interest in a more meaningful way. If a child can manipulate an open ended toy, they will get much more use out of it than from a flashy electronic toy.

• Give creative gifts. Art supplies and musical instruments make wonderful gifts! Remember to keep it real and high quality. Offer beautiful art tools and mediums to spark inspiration and inspire creativity. Skip the toy instruments in favor of real rhythm instruments. Lessons for art and music are a great companion gift to art supplies and musical instruments.

• Gift Experiences. Consider giving a trip, tickets to an event or passes to a local museum. Gifts like this offer connection and invaluable experiences and can often be used many times during the year. If you want to witness the joy of a child unwrapping a gift, consider a stuffed animal with a zoo membership or a science set with a membership pass.

Thanksgiving Preparations

For those who celebrate, Thanksgiving is not far away. For adults, a break in routine is welcome. For children, a break in routine can spark frustration and meltdowns. Here are a few tips to keep your little one feeling grounded in the midst of the holiday rush.

• Keep things as familiar as possible for your child. Whether you are traveling or hosting guests, keep some things that are familiar to your child. This can be a few favorite toys or books. It can be a familiar snack or familiar food during a family feast. This can also be familiar routine times. Try to keep routines like meals and naps at the same time, no matter the other changes in routine. 

• Remember that your child’s behavior is not a reflection of your parenting! There is often pressure when around extended family for your little one to be on their best behavior. No one wants those comments from that aunt about their parenting practices. Take a breath and remember that you parent to support your child, not to impress distant relatives. 

• Give grace and courtesy lessons on food.  Thanksgiving dinner is not the time to introduce a new food to your child. Conquer the green vegetables on a different day. Be proactive and offer reminders about how they can politely decline trying something. Or let them know how they can be courteous when they do try something and don’t like it. Say: “If you do not want to try a food someone offers you, you can say ‘no thank you.’” Also try: “If you try something you do not like, you can keep the food on your plate and scrape it into the trash at the end of the meal.”

• Find moments to be present. Adults can get carried away by what must be done. Dinner, dishes, texting someone about the logistics of a gathering. Find moments to offer your full attention to your child.

• Relax. A calm adult can make all the difference to a child who feels (and acts!) out of sorts. Find something that relaxes you and make time for it, whether it’s going for a run or taking a few moments to read a book.