Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Montessori Folding Cloth, Napkin Giveaway

This giveaway is closed.

I've said before that our morning routine could use some work. Ryann is hard to wake, and then getting through all the steps on the way out the door can take forever. Our whole routine is rushed and parent-led, which is unproductive and frustrating for us both.

I recently started getting out all the things Ryann needs to make her own cereal, before she wakes up. This way, I can go get her before I'm finished getting ready myself and she has more time to leisurely make and eat her breakfast while I have more time to leisurely put myself together. It's so wonderfully child- and mommy-friendly.


Isn't it cute? I thought the napkin made it classier. Like you would want to sit down and eat your Cheerios if you had a napkin. Ryann won't eat Cheerios even then; I'm not sure how she survived babyhood without Cheerios... but I digress.

Buying napkins for the dinner table reminded me of folding cloths, the cloths used in Montessori classrooms to practice folding. I've seen Ryann steal away washcloths and trace an imaginary line before folding them. It seemed like napkins would be an awesome thing to practice with, as well as spruce up the table.

However, there aren't many usable options for folding cloths on the internet, I've found. They are all drab, expensive and not something you would wipe your mouth with. I assume because they are made for classrooms and not dining rooms. So I made my own with a sewing machine and cute napkins from Target. And I'm giving away four!

These napkins are 100% cotton and goldenrod yellow with dark red contrasting tread, so it's easy for kids to see where they should make the various folds. Each cloth has a different one of the traditional folding patterns on it for lots of practice before mealtimes. 




To enter, just leave a comment before Friday at midnight (EST). For an extra entry, "like" the Real Life Montessori page on Facebook and leave another comment saying you did. I'll announce the winner on Saturday.

14 comments:

  1. yellow is her favorite color. :)

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  2. These are lovely! I've been wanting them forever for my Montessori based Sunday School program! I'm in! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. I've seen folding clothes, but never with an actual purpose other than folding. These are much nicer than my old kitchen wash clothes with a sharpie line drawn on them :)

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  4. What a great idea! We could use some folding practice around here. Mommy included.

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  5. These are really cool! I would never have thought of such a clever idea!

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  6. My 3 year old just started Montessori school Jan 3 - for the first time in a long time, he wants to go to school. There are no tears at drop off and I know he will flourish with this approach! I love the napkins- very clever! My son would love to work with these! I liked your FB page as well! Oh and I had already had a link to your blog on my blog (www.journeyintomontessori.blogspot.com). Thanks!

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  7. I like your napkins and I would like to win the prize :-)

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  8. What a great!!! Love the color - and its tempting me to make my own....

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  9. Oh - and I liked your FB page too :)

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  10. Neat. I never heard of folding clothes. I just give my kids the stack of washcloths while I fold the laundry and let them fold to their heart's content. :)

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  11. Great idea! I just converted to cloth napkins in my home and plan to implement them at our school too.

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  12. I just found your blog and I'm so excited to read through it! I'm slowly trying to implement some Montessori-based learning for my 2-yr-old daughter. Looks like you have great ideas!

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