The Gift of Practical Life Skills: Montessori Activities for the Holidays
The spirit of Montessori is one of learning, growth, and joy in the everyday.
Dear Fellow Navigators of Life’s Little Lessons,
One of the best holiday times I cherish is working in the kitchen with my two daughters. Together we bustle about, preparing our Christmas feast. I write out a menu list for them to choose from. They pick whatever dish they feel they can handle or what they plan to learn from me.
We play Christmas music, chat about the good old days, and make a mess of the kitchen. I dole out instructions when they ask for it or, at the risk of catching sight of rolling eyes, when I think they need it. Sometimes we laugh away our spills and flops. It turns into a fun event, instead of another tedious chore. Bonding time with glee.
This holiday tradition started when they were wee helpers, at about the age of three. Yes, that early. My ingrained Montessori background instilled a natural tendency to make every event a teaching opportunity.
I’m so glad this family custom carried on until today.
Let me show you how to turn your little pests into adorable elves.
The Art of Table Setting
Setting the table can be an easy chore for little ones. In our Montessori classroom, we used to set the table for lunch with breakable dishes. Nowadays, we do it during special occasions, sometimes with fine bone china teacups and saucers.
For me, setting the table is an art project. I pull out my Christmas placemats and tablecloths, pairing them with my special dishes. I create fresh table centerpieces with pinecones, cedar branches, and wild berries.
As my children grew older, they were more involved in crafting their own centerpieces with their well-honed gluing skills and wreath-making talents. They wrote and decorated the name cards. Setting the table was in auto-mode. No need to ask them.
Sometimes, my collection of angels or mini-Christmas trees adorn the table. Children enjoy being part of the success you have in making your dinner presentation special. Allow them to enjoy the sense of pride and joy decorating can bring.
Gift Wrapping Skills
Teach your children how to wrap gifts. This is one way to develop their fine motor skills, an important Montessori objective. I remember my mother demonstrating her gift-wrapping technique to me as a little girl. She showed me how to crease the edges and define the corners for a neater look. The older they got, the easier it was for them. The boxes looked neater and prettier.
Decorating the boxes with handmade cards and ribbons can be another exciting event for your children. Attach tiny pinecones or make reindeer decorations with pipe cleaners and pompoms.
An Artful Endeavour: Card-Making
Card-making brings endless joy to our family. We clear our dining table and lay out a vinyl tablecloth for quick cleaning. My children dig into my art closet and bring out my collection of holiday stamps, glitter, and glossy paper.
This event can turn into one of our creative parties. My teenagers took the initiative to invite their close friends to join us. We extend our invitation to other favourite families, too. We serve festive snacks and drinks. Oh, what fun!
Social Graces at Their Finest
Part of a Montessori practice in developing social skills is greeting guests with a handshake (or a hug if it’s someone special, like Grandma). We encourage eye contact and a welcoming statement. Encourage your children to answer the doorbell (if it’s safe) to be the first sweet faces your guests will see. Let them offer to take their coats and bring them to a designated room or closet.
Children enjoy serving. The Montessori practice of walking with a tray full of items will come in handy during these festive moments. Teach your children to bring out small trays of appetizers and distribute drinks to guests.
Your guests will not only be impressed, but will also appreciate the pampering. Watch your children’s self-esteem soar when they hear the compliments.
Meal Prep: A Learning Experience
Children learn at an early stage to cut soft fruits and vegetables with a table knife. We do this often in a Montessori classroom. They can mix non-alcoholic punch bowls, toss salads, stir batter, and hand over items at the other end of the kitchen.
As my children grew older, they learned to “bake” chocolate fudge with a microwave. They prepared gelatine desserts, mashed potatoes, and decorated cookies and cakes with an unharnessed eagerness. By the time they were teens, they were assigned a dish to cook or a dessert to bake.
Garnish, Another Art Form
I prepare slices of lemon and oranges, sprigs of rosemary and parsley, and boiled eggs. Then I give them to my children to garnish the dishes right before serving. It’s an easy, yet delightful task.
The Japanese culture reveres the presentation of food. In its simplicity and beauty, one feels dining is not just about eating, but delighting in the company we keep, appreciating the one who has prepared the food, and preserving the sacredness of our blessings.
Wrapping it Up
And, of course, there’s clean-up. I tell my children a task is never finished without the clean-up. Tidying up is one Montessori wonder in the classroom. Everyone puts our materials away after using it.
Putting leftovers in containers is easy to do. Gathering the empty glasses and wiping the coffee table is nothing more than what we do in our classrooms. For older children, taking turns loading the dishwasher should be a cinch.
Holiday parties usually end late. Everyone is exhausted by then, so let your children start tidying up early before they get cranky.
Embracing a Montessori Holiday Spirit
As our journey through the festive season adorned with Montessori principles comes to a close, it's important to reflect on the profound impact these activities have on our children's development. Through simple yet meaningful tasks like gift wrapping, meal preparation, and table setting, we're not just creating a festive ambiance; we're nurturing essential life skills in our little ones.
The beauty of integrating Montessori methods into holiday traditions lies in its dual gift – while children learn and grow through practical experiences, we as parents are blessed with the joy of watching them blossom into independent, capable individuals. These moments are not just about the holidays; they are building blocks for life.
Let us carry these lessons beyond the twinkling lights and merry songs of the season. The skills, confidence, and sense of responsibility nurtured during these activities are invaluable gifts that will continue to serve our children throughout their lives. As we pack away the ornaments and dim the holiday lights, let's remember that the spirit of Montessori – one of learning, growth, and joy in the everyday – is a year-round celebration.
Here’s to a holiday season filled with love, learning, and laughter, where every moment is an opportunity to grow and every day is a step towards independence. May the new year bring continued joy and discovery for you and your little ones, as you walk the path of life, hand in hand, heart in heart.
Happy Holidays, and here’s to many more Montessori-inspired adventures in the years to come!
Cheers,
Susie