Sorry it has taken me so long to post this! Here are some thoughts and ideas for around 6 years of age. Of course, each child is an individual, so taking into considering their interests, ability and maturity level is important. Just like what I mentioned in ideas for around 4 years of age, I also like to keep in mind the Simplicity Parenting (book) tips to simplify:
- Environment– to lessen overwhelm including sensory overload at home I try to keep clutter and toys to a minimum creating a sense of peace and calm. Keeping toys in rotation helps with this.
- Rhythm– Increasing predictability by introducing rhythmic moments for connection and calm.
- Scheduling– Reducing schedule overload brings moments for Being into all the Doing.
- Unplugging– Reducing the influence of adult concerns, media and consumerism on children and families to increase resilience, social and emotional intelligence.
Supporting Independence ideas: Some of these ideas I got from my children’s school which apply to the 6-9 + age group.
- Care of self (brush teeth, brush hair, dress self which includes choosing their own clothing).
- Nutrition- packing own snacks/lunch for school. Education- learning where our food comes from, and what foods are nutrient rich and nutrient poor. Both of my children love helping out in the kitchen. My children also attend a school that encourages ‘healthy eating’, so that is also helpful.
- Learn personal information and how to make an emergency call and what your families emergency plan is (name, address, parents phone numbers, emergency phone number)
- Tidy up after self- put things away in it’s proper place (place for everything and everything in it’s place)
- Wet dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming
- Make bed and change bedding and bathroom towel
- Set/clear table
- Wash dishes or put dishes into dishwasher
- Gardening/maintenance (weed, water plants, rake leaves, tidy yard) etc
- Care of a family pet (feeding, walking) etc
- Set and use an alarm
- Write thank you notes
- Meal preparation or make simple meals
- Laundry- hang out or fold laundry or wash/dry own clothes
- Collect mail
- Wipe down counters in the kitchen or bathroom
- Care of rubbish, recycling or compost bins
- Help to meal plan/create a shopping list and shop for ingredients
- Keep a personal calendar
At the end of a school day, when we all get home, both of my children put their shoes and bags on a designated rack space and then put their snack/lunch boxes onto the kitchen counter ready to be washed and packed for the next day. We are yet to do this, but I am thinking of creating a space to put any paper work/items that my children bring home. My children go to a school that has a no homework policy, but they do sometimes bring home Birthday Invitations or other letters/forms.
Possible Interests at this age:
- Investigation and discovery- read and research topics. This is something that my six year old is very interested in.
- Building social relationships
- Language- reading, writing, spelling, using a journal, learning a second language.
- Maths- currency, understanding time and how to read and write the time (digital and analogue clock), learn and practice taking measurements, using scales, a measuring tape, thermometer etc.
- Science- learn basic concepts with science experiments, learning about Earth Sciences (rocks, minerals, crystals) or Space. We have a few lovely Science reference books at home on all sorts of topics.
- Music/Music Theory- learning to play an instrument, listen and learn lyrics to songs. My daughter has started to learn how to read and write notes at school.
- Coding- my daughter has been introduced to this at school
- Art- more structured art lessons or access to more specific/challenging art materials. We are currently still using ArtVenture. Nature journalling is popular in our home.
- Simple Magic tricks and child-friendly jokes
- Dramatic play
- Outdoor skills- using a compass, climbing trees, building and creating with items found outside, playing on outdoor play equipment.
Building on current skills or learning something new:
- Learn to tie shoelaces
- Ride a bike, scooter, skateboard, rollerblading, roller skating etc
- Learn to swim
- Gardening and composting
- Play a team sport, join a club or attend classes. There is free activities for kids, often in the school holidays.
- Camping, hiking, bush walking, nature walks (bring a compass, binoculars, magnifying glass, journal, field guides)
- Pottery or woodworking
- Backyard games- Elastics. My daughter has just started to learn to play this.
Toy/Material ideas
- Art supplies including items for molding such as clay or plasticine
- Construction such as Lego
- Sewing, knitting, crochet or cross stitch
- Paper folding- Origami
- Puzzles that are more challenging (jigsaw or Tangram)
- Books and audio books- including reference books and maybe early readers or early chapter books
- Baking equipment
- Gardening equipment
- Sports- outdoor activities/equipment (we have tennis rackets, soccer ball, hoola hoop, skipping ropes)
- Electronics- clip circuits
Past related blog posts
- Observation in a Montessori Lower Primary (Cycle 2 classroom) for 6-9 years and notes on the Second Plane of Development.
- Notes from a Montessori information talk
- Cycle 2 school transition
