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Absolutely the World's Best One-Bowl Toddler-Friendly Banana Bread Muffin Recipe Ever Invented... Ever!
You might be able to tell by this post's title how excited I am about this recipe. It was given to me six years ago by a Toddler classroom assistant on a small piece of scrap paper. Now, it's time to share it and record it on the interwebs for all posterity.
World's Best One-Bowl Banana Bread Muffins (can be made dairy-free!!!)
(makes 18 muffins)
Ingredients:
World's Best One-Bowl Banana Bread Muffins (can be made dairy-free!!!)
(makes 18 muffins)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of melted butter (or melted coconut oil)
- 2/3 cup of brown sugar (or 1+ cups if you have a sweet tooth, but honestly 2/3 cup is ple…
Letting the Child Lead the Way
You might be familiar with the idea that children learn best when they are following their interests. But you might not know that by "following the child", you're also helping them develop executive functions: skills like impulse control, delayed gratification, problem-solving, strategizing and concentrating, which are much bigger determinants for success in life than IQ.
I recently attended a talk by Dr. Steven Hughes, where he focused on the development in childhood of executive functions. I …
I recently attended a talk by Dr. Steven Hughes, where he focused on the development in childhood of executive functions. I …
Cursive Cards
For the past few weeks, Zach has shown a strong interest in sounds and letters. He's constantly pointing out letters and asking what sound they make, and then thinking of words that start with that sound. However, he's not keen on tracing the sandpaper letters. I can't say I blame him; ours are pretty rough (because they're new) and his index and middle fingers are very sensitive because he sucks them!
It irritates me that he doesn't see cursive letters anywhere except in school (most signs th…
It irritates me that he doesn't see cursive letters anywhere except in school (most signs th…
Turning Picky Into Practical
Toddlers are famous for their food fixations. I'm blessed to be raising a very adventurous eater, but even Zach has some toddler quirks that would drive me insane if I chose to let them bother me.
This morning, I pulled out a container with a few strawberries from the fridge. I asked Zach if he'd like some with his breakfast and he said yes. I told him I had to rinse them first, and he flipped out. While he screamed, I washed the strawberries, put them in a bowl, and took them to the table.
(Y…
This morning, I pulled out a container with a few strawberries from the fridge. I asked Zach if he'd like some with his breakfast and he said yes. I told him I had to rinse them first, and he flipped out. While he screamed, I washed the strawberries, put them in a bowl, and took them to the table.
(Y…
Pom-Poms vs. Broccoli
Practical Life activities should be, above all else, practical: real activities that have a purpose and a goal. Practical Life 
should never, EVER be busy work. Busy work is insulting to the child's intelligence and developmental drives.
So, let's say you want to introduce transferring with tongs. Instead of the ubiquitous pom-poms you see all over Pinterest, how about using broccoli?
Here's what I did with Zach (who just turned 3), when he asked if he could help in the kitchen:
I had already choppe…
should never, EVER be busy work. Busy work is insulting to the child's intelligence and developmental drives.So, let's say you want to introduce transferring with tongs. Instead of the ubiquitous pom-poms you see all over Pinterest, how about using broccoli?
Here's what I did with Zach (who just turned 3), when he asked if he could help in the kitchen:
I had already choppe…
To Follow the Child
Now that Zachary is three years old, I'm constantly surprised by how differently Montessori happens at home and in school.
In a classroom, you plan your lessons in part around the child's interests and abilities, but also based on the sequence in your album. The children are (for the most part) happy and willing to receive the presentations. Not so at home when it's your own child. I've learned that nine times out of ten, we'll only do anything productive if Zachary initiates it. If I invite h…
In a classroom, you plan your lessons in part around the child's interests and abilities, but also based on the sequence in your album. The children are (for the most part) happy and willing to receive the presentations. Not so at home when it's your own child. I've learned that nine times out of ten, we'll only do anything productive if Zachary initiates it. If I invite h…
Floor Bed Confidential
It seems like there are two major complaints when it comes to using a floor bed: the baby rolls off while sleeping and/or the baby crawls off to explore the room instead of staying put and falling asleep. I've experienced both situations, and I hope that I can provide some encouragement and realistic expectations for parents going through the same scenarios. Because the truth is, when used correctly, the floor bed is an amazing tool for supporting your child's development, both mental and phys…
Art & Montessori
A common misconception among Montessori skeptics is that there isn't enough emphasis on teaching art in the Montessori classroom. If their definition of teaching art includes 25 children sitting together, making paintings that look almost exactly the same, based on the teacher's original idea, then they are absolutely right: you will NEVER find this type of art instruction in a genuine Montessori environment.
(As one friend says: "In conventional school art classes, the teacher has to write down…
(As one friend says: "In conventional school art classes, the teacher has to write down…
Making Memories
Salt dough ornaments are an easy and fun way to get your toddler involved in holiday festivities. They make great keepsakes, as well as touching gifts that any grandparent is sure to cherish. And best of all, with a little planning and patience, your toddler can do most of the work, which allows him to experience concentration, delayed gratification, and a feeling of accomplishment!
The most important thing to remember when crafting with toddlers is that the process is more important than the o…
The most important thing to remember when crafting with toddlers is that the process is more important than the o…
Montessori Children Don't Throw
When my son was around 14 months old, he started throwing things: toys, silverware, food, you name it (although he wisely never threw a glass!). My first instinct should've been to stop and observe him to find out why he was throwing. But instead, my ego got the best of me and I began thinking: "You shouldn't be throwing; you're a Montessori child!" As if a floor bed, cloth diapers, and a weaning table were a vaccine against normal infant developmental phases.
It took many throws before I stop…
It took many throws before I stop…
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