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Daily At-Home Project: Earn It, Save It, Spend It, Give It

by | Apr 21, 2020 | At-Home Enrichment | 0 comments

Please find below our daily SolBe Family update letter containing helpful resources and exciting projects to explore while we all do our part to stay home during this pandemic. Subscribe here to receive daily updates.

April 21, 2020

SolBe Families,

A Quick Story

When visiting my nieces in Montclair, NJ, we have a Sunday morning ritual of walking to Watchung Booksellers all together, followed by a famous/delicious breakfast from Sunrise Bagels. The bookstore is a particular treat as my 3.5-year-old, Sloaney Boloney, gets to test her negotiation chops against our family mastermind, Uncle Ty.

Uncle Ty, intentional in all things, primes our little Sloane from the minute we arrive. “One book. We can read as many as you would like when we are in the store, but we will only be taking one book home.” Sloane, with her sweetest, angel face – without a tone or a tantrum (smart gal) – always tries her best to sneak at least a second treat up to the counter. She wisely raises the stakes by adding social pressure to Uncle Ty, denying the cherub-faced child in front of the sweet lady at the register.

They have a face-off, Uncle Ty has no issue gently shutting down a three-year-old in public, and we walk to the bagel store with our ONE book. Success!

Earn It, Spend It, Save It, GIVE IT!

For our past few visits, we have been captivated by a series. The negotiations have been on hold as just one of these books is enough to satiate even a three-year-old. Cinders McLeod’s books “Earn It,” “Spend It,” “Save It,” and “Give It” do a brilliant job introducing our kids to money. Making all four of these complex concepts digestible (and enjoyable!) to our young friends. What a wonderful time to introduce the idea of giving back—so many tangible examples of goodness to be shared and opportunities to understand the world we are living in at this very moment.

After reading “Spend It,” Sloane began to understand her contributions to the household would allow her to save for toys or things she desired. This series can be a helpful guide in encouraging our tiniest roommates to participate, and possibly even enjoy chores.

 

Project of the Day for All Ages: CHORES! 

Step One

The Moneybunny Books can be found on Amazon or on the author’s website. If you are not able to order, you can find all four books read out loud on YouTube. I always enjoy pairing a book with the activity, to help with inspiration!

If this series is inaccessible, you can try a make your own chore-chart at home…perhaps this will be an activity of the day some other day!

Step Two

Younger friends enjoy chores such as sorting clothes, watering plants, sweeping, or washing dishes. You will have the most success if the tools the kids are using for their chores are appropriate for their size. That being said, use what you have at your disposal!

Something to Keep in Mind

Sometimes, it may be more work to have a helper and “cleaning” could result in a bigger mess. This is all part of the learning process and patience is key above all.

Montessori Roots

Practical life or Daily Life activities are core to the Montessori Method and we certainly encourage these behaviors in our classrooms at SolBe. What a wonderful feeling it is to contribute to the family. Chores, though sometimes a real chore for parents, create connectedness and belonging within the family unit.

Most important direction, as always: HAVE FUN!  

More resources to follow in the coming days. Feedback and more ideas welcome, as always! 

Be well and stay healthy!

The SolBe Team


Be Supported

We’ve felt the uncertainty that occurs when our children are in the care of someone else. At SolBe, we know you will always be your child’s first teacher; we’re here as a knowledgeable partner in your child’s education.

From our experience, children rise to the intellectual life of those around them, so we are committed to growing as individuals and as a team. You can count on us to provide a warm and engaging learning experience for your little one.

Be Inspired

We’ve spent thousands of hours in classrooms that either overstimulate, underwhelm, or actively prevent educators from delivering the highest-quality education and care. At SolBe, you’ll go beyond the traditional four-walled classroom.

Our award-winning, inventive and uplifting learning spaces stimulate the senses and instill feelings of home-like safety and comfort. They allow for your child’s, and our educators’, changing needs and emotions. They create room for wonder—for learning, and living, outside the lines.

Be Immersed

We’ve seen what’s lost when things are done the way they’ve always been done before. SolBe is an adaptive Spanish exposure program that refuses to accept the status quo.

Our inventive practices grow from the shoulders of giants, with roots in the Reggio Emilia approach, the Montessori method, and well-researched cognitive disciplines that attend to the whole child. We create opportunities to develop character attributes that your child will benefit from for a lifetime. Collaboration. Communication. Independence. Healthy risk-taking. Critical thinking. Emotional awareness. Resilience. Intellectual curiosity. Creative innovation. An authentic love of life and learning.

Be Well

We know what it’s like to forget to feed ourselves—physically, mentally, and emotionally. At SolBe, we understand it’s impossible for you to pour from an empty cup. And we do what we can to keep your cup full.

Our learning ecosystem is designed with children and educators—and you—in mind. Seed-to-table nutrition program. Yoga and mindfulness. An all-inclusive experience so you don’t need to worry about finding time to provide meals, diapers, or wipes (unless you want to). Evening and weekend family programs.