cleaning seashells

We've had friends and family close to the seashore these past weeks and they have sent us shells! They're beautiful and just what we need during this cold month where outside time is so limited.
A friend at work shared an activity she did with her boys when they were young and in Montessori school and I tucked it away for one of those bitter cold days.

One of the things that I love about Montessori is the philosophy of a prepared environment. I have to say I've totally lapsed on that since Laithe has been born, but winter is a good time to get back into it. We've got a book shelf in the dining room that is supposed to serve as our version of the prepared environment.

So, this activity is on her shelf right now.

I gathered a bar of soap and a toothbrush (a new one). A bowl of water, towel and basket of shells. And one of our trays. I could write a whole post about the benefit of trays! And I demonstrated the activity in about 5 steps. I used to have to demonstrate a few times, now just once or maybe twice does it.Guthrie went to work scrubbing the sea shells and didn't say a word for about 30 minutes. I eventually told her she needed to put it away and move on to something else as her hands were chapped to begin with. Today she asked to get it out again and I only had to remind her about one aspect of the activity- the rest she remembered on her own. I love how her independence is growing. Sometimes she's my little whirlwind, but it's fun to watch that intensity get focused on a project. Don't you love how she sticks out her tongue!