Eden Prairie Montessori Learning Blogs
A Montessori-Inspired Thanksgiving: Nurturing Gratitude and Independence
Thanksgiving is more than a feast; it's a chance to instill values of gratitude, love, and independence in our children...
Dr. Maria Montessori's teachings emphasized the importance of gratitude and courtesy, elements integral to the Montessori philosophy. This Thanksgiving, let's embrace these principles and create a celebration that nurtures gratitude and encourages meaningful participation for our children.
Cultivate Gratitude and Express Thankfulness~
Gratitude is much more than just learning good manners. It's a positive emotion you can express when feeling thankful for something. Encourage your child to count their blessings. Reflect on things they appreciate about themselves, family, and the world. By setting an example and openly sharing your own gratitude, you teach the importance of thankfulness and social graces. Take a moment during Thanksgiving to acknowledge and express gratitude. Discuss with your child the things you're thankful for, reinforcing the significance of family, food, and other blessings. This practice cultivates mindfulness and teaches children the importance of appreciating what they have.
Plan and Involve Children in the Day~
Planning a Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving involves discussing and understanding what excites your children about the holiday. Sticking to routines while being flexible and adaptable to their needs is key. Encourage participation by assigning tasks like setting the table, allowing them to practice skills learned at their Montessori school.
Include Your Child in Meal Preparation~
Engaging children in meal preparation aligns with Montessori principles. It's not just about cooking; inviting children to join you in the kitchen helps them gain confidence and develop important skills such as hand-eye coordination, and reading. It is an opportunity for learning basic math through measuring ingredients and appreciating colors and textures. Allowing children to actively participate in this process fosters a sense of accomplishment and contributes to their development. Remember that it is a lot more fun and interesting for kids when they are given their own responsibilities rather than just watching, so a hands-on approach is key. Your encouragement goes a long way in helping them thrive! Just remember to supervise and keep things age appropriate for safety reasons, and watch your little ones have a very fun time.
Ideas to keep in mind:
● Always use age-appropriate, child-friendly & safety utensils and kitchen tools.
● Once they are standing steadily you could use a step ladder, stool or learning tower.
● Always stand between your child and the stove.
● Try to prepare the ingredients and materials ahead of time- have them accessible and ready.
● When possible, take tasks like chopping to the dining table and work together there.
● Don’t expect perfection – the vegetables may not be perfect sticks, some may fall on the ground, spills will happen, and things may take longer. This is part of the learning process.
● Be prepared for a mess. Have sponges within easy reach for cleaning and spills.
● Be patient, loving, and use positive & encouraging words.
● A child-sized apron is not only useful, it is a nice way to make them feel special.
● Most importantly, recognize how they have helped as part of the dinner conversation.
Embrace Cooking Together~
Despite the challenges, involving children in cooking your Thanksgiving meal is a rewarding experience. Look for child-friendly recipes within family favorites suitable for your child's skill level. From peeling potatoes to garnishing dishes, cooking together fosters a sense of accomplishment and confidence in both child and parent.
Here is a list of tasks children of different age groups can do to help with Thanksgiving dinner:
Children around 1 - 2 years old:
● Washing vegetables and fruit
● Scrubbing potatoes
● Getting different things out of the cupboards and carrying ingredients from one place to another (you’ll need to move things down low for this to work)
● Buttering bread – give your child a small amount of butter in a dish with a small spreader.
● Pour water – you could have a dispenser down low or a small jug on a low table. Have a sponge or cloth nearby for spills.
● Ripping bread apart for stuffing
● Put things in trash bin
Children 2 - 3 years old:
● Mixing, stirring and pouring
● Breaking cauliflower & broccoli into smaller pieces
● Cutting softer vegetables, eg, mushrooms
● Tearing lettuce for salad
● Washing and spinning lettuce
● Squeezing lemon slices
● Scooping dry ingredients into measuring cups
● Shelling peas
● Peeling onions and garlic
● Shake liquids to mix in small container with lid
● Rinsing plastic bowls in sink
Children 3 - 4 years old:
● Following simple recipes with you
● Mixing batter
● Scooping yams out of the skins
● Peeling hard boiled eggs and use an egg slicer to cut
● Helping cut cucumber slices and tomatoes for salad
● Peeling apples for pie with a safety peeler
● Helping to set the table – have dishes down low in the cupboard so your child can reach them
● Wiping table and countertops
Children 4 - 5 years old:
● Cut parsley and green onions with kid-safe scissors
● Measure ingredients using measuring spoons and cups
● Cracking eggs
● Use an egg beater or whisk
● Mixing and rolling out pie dough
● Mashing potatoes
● Whipping cream
● Grating cheese or vegetables
● Helping use can opener
● Using spice shakers & adding seasoning with supervision
● Kneading and shaping dough for bread or rolls
Thanksgiving, as viewed through a Montessori lens, offers valuable opportunities for children to learn, grow, and appreciate the world around them. By incorporating these practices, families can create a Thanksgiving celebration that not only honors tradition but also nurtures values of gratitude, independence, and participation.
What's your Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving story? Share your traditions and experiences with us!
Happy Thanksgiving from Eden Prairie Montessori!
Contact us to learn more about the Eden Prairie Montessori difference ~
To learn more about our child care centers in Eden Prairie and our programs, call us at (952) 944-8466 . We look forward to meeting you!
