Environment Cards are a set of cards with the names of everyday objects and activities in a child's environment.
It's a simple Montessori Inspired activity to introduce your child to at home.
Here’s an example of what the cards might look like:
There are so many wonderful ways to bring the Montessori Environment Cards into your home. Here's how:
First, write down a list of everyday objects your child can easily find around the house. Focus on three-four letter words; which he / she can blend or read.
Next, using a toddler safety scissors, encourage your Little One (LO) to cut out the words into various squares; the exercise of cutting the paper builds fine motor skills (look out for our post on 10 exercises that can develop your LOs fine motor skills)
After all the words have been cut into various squares, ask your LO to sound out the letters and then encourage them to blend the words to read what is said on the card. For example, “D-O-G” "Dog".
C-A-R. Car.
The child then matches the card to the object, and leaves the card there while completing the rest of the stack.
B-U-S. Bus.
Once your LO is comfortable with the process, they can carry on the activity on their own, going through the house (or classroom) and matching the name card to the object.
my 3 year old (3yo) is able to blend 3 letter phonic words but not quite there yet so we are trying to incorporate lots of reading work; which is why we've used only 3 letter phonic words for this Activity. You can also use 3 letter phonics words like:
bin cup tin pig tap pig tag pen hat
For older children, or more advanced readers, here’s an example of some of the objects you might consider utilizing in your environment:
bucket
table
boxes
tray
easel
chair
flowers
broom
Generally, this activity enlarges your LOs vocabulary, reading skills and helps in the classification of the environment.
The Environment Cards are pretty easy to make, and set up but feel free to drop a comment below if you would like a free printable version of our "20 words Environment Card" (level 1, for beginner readers, level 2 for more fluent readers, and level 3 - Classified Card for older children")?
Love & Light,
Oby O.
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