Travel- Montessori Style

As most of you will be traveling during Spring break, I thought I'd offer some suggestions on how to travel with children- Montessori style.

- First, talk to your children about where you are going.  Show them a map or photos and get them involved in the process.  Montessori kids are well acquainted with maps.

- Have them pick out their clothes and pack them in their suitcase.  Help them by telling them how many of a certain item they need to put in. Ex: 3 short sleeve shirts, 5 underpants, 2 skirts, 5 pairs of socks, etc.

- Have them help you buys snacks specific for the trip.  This will help them be excited and also have something to look forward to.

- Set an expectation of limited media (at least to start with).  You can have it as a back up but don't start your trip this way.  If you really need this, then have it hidden and do not discuss the option of it. Once it's presented they will only be looking forward to that as an option.

- Start collecting travel games, puzzles, books, magnetic toys, travel board games, crayons, drawing pads, etc, that they can pack in their own back packs.  Keep these hidden during the rest of the year and pull them out only when you travel.  Keep your eyes on the look out when traveling for new items to add to the rotation.  Airports have some fun items, World Market has vintage style things, and museum gift shops have unique finds. 

-Backpacks: buy children their own travel backpacks, we have both "urban" style ones and hiking style ones.  This allows them to take what they want and be responsible for their own items.  Water, snacks, a small box of crayons, light books, paper, small toys, etc. can fit in here and they carry it around.  It helps them feel independent and yet contributing to the family. 

-For car rides, you can play I spy, or some other conversation style games.  There are also lots and lots of podcasts that have children's stories that you can play.  Also, consider silence.  Allow your child to be "bored" this allows for their imaginations to grow and expand.  They do not need to be occupied, talked to, or entertained the entire time.  Children need some quiet time to be in their own head space.

For air travel, similar to car travel, have things to talk to them, read with them, or play tic tac toe, or other games.  Usborn books have some fun travel doodle books.  Again, keep travel items for travel time alone.  For media use, if you need it keep it hidden and pull out only when necessary.  This varies from person to person, but you'd be surprised you may never need it.  We've never had that as an option, and people think we are crazy, but after 6 years and two kids, it's not something to even consider anymore.  Maybe the older ones 9+ could handle something, but if so, keep it to 1 show, or a specific time limit.

-Most importantly have fun.  Traveling with children is not easy or "relaxing" but as I read in an article years ago, it's just a different way of discovering travel.  Once you accept this, it helps to deal with things accordingly.  Nothing like seeing entire families staring into their own "personal devices" when traveling.  This is the time to connect with each other rather than disconnect.

-Finally, limit their sugar intake in confined spaces.  If you want your children to behave well and to be in control, then sugary teats are a way of confusing their bodies on the input and output.  We have control of what they eat.  Giving them the option of "once we get there" is a possible alternative, or just being strict and saying "no" is also a very good choice.  More on saying "no" to your children in a future post!

Bon Voyage!

Check out these articles:

 Will Connected Devices Disconnect the Family?

How Is Technology Affecting Your Family?

 

Low Tech Fail!

Yesterday was a crazy day.  I was so busy from morning to night posting and writing about no technology and how to limit the use of it in your child's home, bla bla, etc. My day in the classroom was crazy and thinking of talking to parents, expressing my concerns, figuring out what's best for each child and how to communicate those needs with each parent, writing up my newsletter which was like a dissertation- I was burnt out!

When we got home I was so tired and exhausted I needed to rest.  I had my husband and oldest daughter get dinner ready.  I was told to come out for a surprise as she had set the table and helped to cook some of the food.  She was so happy and proud and we had a lovely meal together.  After which I promised I would put her to bed and read.

At the point where she came to bed, my phone exploded with text messages asking about a fundraising event for this Sunday.  In my haste to communicate and email, and update on Facebook I kept her by my side telling her I'm almost done.  She'd lay there patiently and asked, "can you read to me?"  I kept telling her I'm almost done, while continuing.  After about the 3rd time, I noticed a deep breathing and then realized she had fallen asleep.  I dropped my ipod and cried.

I had let my own child down.  My whole day that had been about limiting the use of technology for children somehow hadn't applied to me.  I had been consumed with communicating with others that I forgot to communicate with my own dear sweet child who had cooked and cleaned and helped me relax, and had only wanted to spend some time with me, her mother before we put our heads down for the night.

I apologized to a sleeping body and held her as much as I could, but the moment had passed.  The day was done, it will never return again.  For this, I am deeply ashamed, sad, and forlorn.