I made some of the Montessori constructive triangles for Kiddo. I was going to make them out of matte board, but when I went into the art store I saw the craft foam and realized that it would be so much easier. It was really inexpensive and very easy to make them. 
My favorite is the batch of 12 blue scalene triangles. So simple and yet so versatile. Even if you are not into the Montessori method, they are great for free exploration and an excellent sensory experience in making shapes and the science of geometry. Kiddo enjoyed experimenting with them. Full disclosure: I made the shape in the top photo!
Montessori purists would be horrified at my lack of structured presentation of the materials. But truth be told, I like their materials more than I like the rigidity of the system (or maybe I just don't understand it well enough). Plus, I am just not that organized.I made box #1 and box #2 (alas, no photo) also. You can find the templates here.
I love the idea of craft foam for this. Matt board would have gotten beat up too quickly. Seth does go to a montessori school and I leave the structure to them. At home it's just free exploration. I like giving him that balance to create at home.
ReplyDeleteyes, i am crazy about anything that will help me use up this blasted craft foam i got stuck with!
ReplyDeleteI like your less rigid approach to this. It's like Montessori for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteOh, neat idea! I love your blog. :) --Jennifer syrendell.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI think the rigidity is one reason I'm drawn to Waldorf. It seems much more "fluffy" and open to interpretation. And requires less direction for me. Or maybe I don't understand it either.
ReplyDeleteSo very cool! Thanks. I agree with you on the rigidity; I'm not organized enough for that. Maybe I just don't understand it completely, but it seems a bit robotic to me.
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