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You are here: Home / Activities / Homemade Montessori Colored Nature Blocks

Homemade Montessori Colored Nature Blocks

October 10, 2018 By Suzette Salmon Leave a Comment

A quick way to add more adventure and play to some plain blocks is to paint them. I love to have the organic clean modern look in the daycare and then use a pop of color here or there.  However, I got inspired to make these painted blocks for our children to use in nature and other play areas.  These plain blocks got a complete makeover.  

The children, my assistant and I painted some thin blocks into various colors which adds more imaginative playtime, and color recognition learning.

Some things in nature they collected on walks, field trips and in the yard that matched the color blocks. 

They have gone in nature with these blocks matching them with flowers, trees, bushes, and the likes.

The children have been using it to play Jenga, create a castle for Paw Patrol and other villains.  We all know too well never to ruin a child’s imagination.  And we also know how Paw Patrol has taken over these toddlers.

The blocks were painted with some wood paint and other acrylic paints.  Let dry overnight or for a couple days.

For the drying station, I slit holes in a box and placed them to stand which prevented smudge marks.

The children have been on adventures with these blocks that once were just ….ordinary blocks.  🙂

I honestly think their best adventure is finding things in nature with these colors.  The girls went on to ask for pinks and other colors.  The initial blocks were first autumn colors then, the play got more intense we added different color blocks.  This can be done with seasonal colors for the nature hikes, walks, and trips.

Remember it is important to rotate your children toys…their toys will last longer and each time they are introduced evokes different imaginations. Your children will be delighted to play with their newly painted blocks.

— Miss Sue

 

Filed Under: Activities, Creative Learning, Science Tagged With: handmade colored blocks, montessori, montessori at home, montessori blocks, painted blocks, preschool activities, seasonal activities, toddler activities

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Oct 7

Open post by lilbebeacademy with ID 18122683837911330
Here’s an example of our cleanup process. The bell goes off for lunchtime and the children automatically start singing and cleaning up (I don’t usually sing but they do). Some are singing only for the song while others are busy cleaning up like ‘the  little red hen.’ A beautiful example of when you work alone and the children are your teammates. 
Yes, they’re my little learners and teammates - all hands on deck. We have a wonderful symbiotic relationship harmoniously working together for the good of the environment.
It makes this work enjoyable and it also helps all to learn and appreciate each other - especially when you have a yard this size. 
#earlychildhoodeducator 
#naturebasedlearning 
#outdoorclassroom 
#homechildcare 
#edulallie

Here’s an example of our cleanup process. The bell goes off for lunchtime and the children automatically start singing and cleaning up (I don’t usually sing but they do). Some are singing only for the song while others are busy cleaning up like ‘the little red hen.’ A beautiful example of when you work alone and the children are your teammates.
Yes, they’re my little learners and teammates - all hands on deck. We have a wonderful symbiotic relationship harmoniously working together for the good of the environment.
It makes this work enjoyable and it also helps all to learn and appreciate each other - especially when you have a yard this size.
#earlychildhoodeducator
#naturebasedlearning
#outdoorclassroom
#homechildcare
#edulallie
...

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lilbebeacademy

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Oct 3

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Beautiful slow approach to my early years classroom. I work alone and it’s very important that we all enjoy the space. Children are allowed to move materials, gather, play, learn and then clean up after. 
- A small mixed-age ratio provides many opportunities for discoveries, play and lots of hours outdoors. 
-This was a rainy day, we also harvest rain for their unending play. 
#playbasedlearning 
#mixedagelearning 
#outdoorclassroom 
#naturebasedlearning 
#edulallie

Beautiful slow approach to my early years classroom. I work alone and it’s very important that we all enjoy the space. Children are allowed to move materials, gather, play, learn and then clean up after.
- A small mixed-age ratio provides many opportunities for discoveries, play and lots of hours outdoors.
-This was a rainy day, we also harvest rain for their unending play.
#playbasedlearning
#mixedagelearning
#outdoorclassroom
#naturebasedlearning
#edulallie
...

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Sep 30

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Nature gives children something real to think about. Listen to the children - bumblebees and butterflies like nectar too.
🍃
#naturebased
#natureschool 
#learningforlife 
#inhomechildcare 
#edulallie

Nature gives children something real to think about. Listen to the children - bumblebees and butterflies like nectar too.
🍃
#naturebased
#natureschool
#learningforlife
#inhomechildcare
#edulallie
...

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Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors!

Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors! ...

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