I purchased The Pink Tower from Kohburg Montessori Academy here, on Amazon. I had shopped around quite a bit and this seemed to be a great price without paying the astronomical shipping costs that Montessori suppliers are famous for. I was impressed that the blocks are solid wood, that each block came wrapped individually, at that there was an instruction booklet which briefly described how to present the material, as well as giving an extension activity. My only complaint is that some of the paint has already chipped on a couple corners from the blocks falling onto the floor when Tyler knocks them down (which he isn't "supposed" to do which I get more into later).
For those unfamiliar with The Pink Tower, it is made up of 10 pink wooden cubes ranging from 1 cm³ to 10 cm³. It is a sensorial work which encourages a child to visually notice a difference in height, length and width.
The next step was to build the tower up, vertically, then take it down and lay the blocks back on the rug. I didn't get the opportunity to do this. On the other hand, Tyler did it perfectly, without any instruction. Taking each block down the line, one by one, building the tower quickly and correctly. It seemed instinctual to him.
Tyler was so happy with building the tower and had a great sense of satisfaction when he completed it. He then knocked the tower over with his hand. When I introduce the work again, I will demonstrate how to correctly take the tower down, block by block. I assume this is going to take several demonstrations! The next several times, I lay the blocks horizontally for him and each time he went down the line and built correctly and enthusiastically.
I then decided to step back, and with the blocks randomly on the rug, see what he did. He always finished the tower, and typically the first few and last blocks were correct, though as expected, there were a few errors in between. Typically you would only complete the demonstration one time, then demonstrate the next time the materials were introduced if needed, but I did demonstrate numerous times as I didn't want Tyler to associate The Pink Tower with just stacking as he wished like his other blocks. I felt he was too young to "get it" in one shot. Many more demonstrations will likely be needed before this goes on the shelf.
Well, this isn't going to work is it?!
Aha!
A set of starter Montessori cylinders (five widths/dimensions rather than ten) I ordered should be arriving this week, along with a couple other Montessori-ish items. The three-width cylinders that I made him are too easy now, so I'm really excited to see him take on the next level with true materials!
J-jo loves his pink tower too. I wish Amazon had carried those back when I bought ours!
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Scroll down a bit for the photo of him working on it! He definitely does not know the right order yet!
Your newest blog reader! It is so amazing seeing his face with the pink tower.
ReplyDeleteHe is one lean, mean, stacking machine...I'm so impressed with all of his towers. Neither of my boys really got into stacking, which is totally fine, but it's so cool to see these pictures :)
ReplyDeleteYour little guy is adorable. I always enjoy your pictures, but the photos of Tyler stacking everything he can get his hands on are so adorable I just had to say so! Thanks for your great blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies! Stacking is a real passion and gives him so much pride and satisfaction. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe girl who painted trees: Isn't is amazing how they can stack like that and it doesn't fall over?! That's talent! :) Ty did it correctly the other day with the blocks laid out randomly. I'm thinking it had to have been a coincidence...
Jen - found your blog accidentally, been reading now for a few weeks. I really want to learn more to apply the Monterssori method to my 22-month old son. Do you remember some of the names of the books you read so I can learn more? Thanks,
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Sure, Melissa! Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The books I especially liked starting out were:
ReplyDeleteRaising an Amazing Child the Montessori Way
The Absorbant Mind
Montessori From The Start
There's so much to take from all of these! Best of luck!
[Jen: Blog owner...having trouble commenting with my account]