More on our Tot Trays

I cleared out a bookshelf for our Job Trays this week.  I originally planned them for the twins as Tot Trays but Caroline has spent so much time working with them and enjoys them as much as they do.  I added a few that were specifically for her as well.  I think I'll switch them out once per week and have the girls only work with them during our school time.  I'm still thinking it all through so we'll see how it evolves.

They can either sit at the school table or on the floor with their jobs.  We practiced getting the trays, taking them to a spot and then returning them.  We only had one collision!

I loved how absorbed they were and I especially enjoyed observing how differently they interacted with the items on their tray.  Calista started off in a Montessori preschool and I always knew I wanted to add this to our homeschool.  I have so much to learn but decided to start with what I know so far.

The trays provide them with a sense of space since the items are all contained on the tray.  It's easy for them to clean up which is an important part of the process too.

It was pretty quiet when they were working.  The jobs are simple but required concentration.

I basically just walked around the house and gathered items that could be used with different tasks or themes.  For example; pouring, beading, transferring, gluing, cutting, simple crafts, sorting and so on.   Here are some of the resources that I've used so far to set this up.

• This blog, 1+1+1+1,  has an amazing amount of information and it was my first stop.
• I borrowed this book from a friend....Mommy, Teach Me! by Barbara Curtis.  It has step by step directions for each tray.  I just had to purchase my own! 

I'm so happy with this addition to our homeschool and can't wait to learn more!