An active weekend

Alby’s recent teething adventures have left my brain completely drained and so I turned to my new Montessori-themed book for inspiration to while away the hours this weekend with Alby.

The book, Child’s Play: Montessori Games and Activities for your baby and toddler, was just what I needed – simple, easy games which delighted Trouble Monkey.

The first game was called “Sensory Walk”.  I laid pillows, sofa cushions, door mats and a square of bubble wrap on the floor in a line, took off Alby’s shoes and socks and held his hand as he walked over them in turn.  I then sat back and watched Alby run up and down and up and down for a good ten minutes.  The bubble wrap was a particular favourite, that and the sofa cushions which, being firm and large, took a bit of time for my intrepid explorer to master.  Later on, Mark and I sat at opposite ends of the path encouraging, cheering and congratulating Trouble Monkey with every step.  He in return rewarded our passive states with giggles and squeals.

Version one - nappy walk

Version two - nappy free

The second game, which Alby had mixed reactions too, was the sensory road track.  I covered a tray with aluminium foil, marked out a track in playdough and then filled the track with different textures – sandpaper, bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard and rice crispies.  Alby was then unleashed on the track with two of his favourite cars, the idea being that he would learn about the different textures as he drives over them.  Alby quickly ignored the track and just crashed his cars all over it, well that is when he wasn’t stuffing his face with rice crispies!

Finally, we turned to an activity even Percy could enjoy (although truth be told he quite enjoyed clearing up the rice crispies) – Alby’s first den!  In an effort to make changing the sheets more exciting for Alby, the duvet cover was quickly turned into a canopy stretched between the back of the sofa and the radiator.  In went Alby, in went Percy, out came Alby, in stayed Percy.  It was brilliant and will no doubt be making another appearance on Thursday when Alby’s friend Harrison comes to visit. 

Trouble Monkey Den Duo

Amongst all the play we also made it to a local reservoir for a lovely, wet bulldog walk - a busy weekend for a tired mama. 

My boys