Bubbles

I have recently been reading about Montessori schools and have interest in touring one to see if it might be right for Sophie. We actually have a montessori school here in the neighborhood called Austin Montessori.

I have often wondered what I might be able to do on own that would align with the Montessori principals. The Austin Montessori's website has such a detailed overview of their program, I began to develop some ideas for what I might do at home. One of the tasks they teach toddlers is how to wash their hands. So, recently, after a particularly messy lunch, I grabbed Sophie up and away we went to the sink. I taught her how to climb up a step stool near the sink, which she did well. Then I encouraged her to put her hands under the faucet to rinse her hands, which she was happy to do. Then it came time to put the soap in her hands. I placed a pump load of soft soap into her palm and modeled rubbing my hand together. Right away, she noticed that the soap produced bubbles. She then wanted more soap. I gave her a second pump of soap, but this was not enough. She continued to ask for even more soap until finally, the sink and the surrounding area was covered in soapy bubbles, which Sophie gleefully called out, "Bubbles!!" Needless, to say, hand washing has gone from a learned task to a messy affair which Sophie never wants to end. In fact, we now have to say" Bye-bye" to the bubbles and watch tearfully as the bubbles gets sucked down the drain to avoid a tantrum. Oh, life with a toddler!