Week 5, Term 2 2026
“He learns everything without knowing he is learning it, and in doing so he passes little by little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the paths of joy and love”
Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
“Its not life’s job to make me happy. Its my job to find joy in life by observing and appreciating the small wonders and everyday miracles that are all around me, everywhere, every minute of my life”
Paul Cotter
THIS WEEK’S TOPIC
Observing Joy
One of the foundations for Montessori is observation; observation of ourselves, the child and the environment.
By consciously observing and reflecting on how we are and what or what is not working for us we can learn to be the parent we want to be.
By observing the child we learn so much about who they are, where they are developmentally and how we might best support them. It is also the opportunity to reflect on what they are teaching us.
As our little ones increase their ability to move we need to be aware of the environment they are in and if it is serving their ever changing needs.
Let us also observe the "ordinariness" of the day. When we deny it we teach the child to be excited only by the excesses of life.
Dr Shefali Tsabary writes “They come to believe that only the grand and the fabulous are to be noticed and applauded and hence constantly pursue bigger and better. In contrast when our children learn to value the ordinary they learn to inhabit life itself. They appreciate their body, their mind and the privilege of relating to others”.
This week why not focus on the ordinary and where you/they find joy;
The warm rush of the water in the shower.
The grip of your child's hand when they hold yours.
The taste of a favourite food or the discovery of a new one for your child.
What causes your child to smile and laugh?
How do they express joy or excitement?
Where do you find joy?
Why not work on having a day at home for the ordinary, a day with no rushing, a day to rest when needed, to eat well and to have time to observe your child, yourself and your home with joy.
Recipe of the week:
You score two recipes this week, sweet and savoury. Feel free to share your favourite recipes or cooking tips with us too.
Gluten free seed crackers
https://true-north-kitchen.com/gluten-free-seed-crackers-norwegian-crispbread/#recipe
Ingredients:
⅓ cup sesame seeds
½ cup flaxseeds
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
2tbsp chia seeds
⅓ cup corn starch
½ tsp salt
3 ½ tbsp canola oil
¾ cup boiling water
Method:
Preheat the oven to 140c. Line an 13x18 inch baking pan
In a large bowl combine seeds, cornstarch and salt. Add the oil and boiling water, combine and leave for 10 minutes
Spread the mixture into a thin layer on top of the parchment paper and sprinkle with rock salt (optional)
Bake for 90mins until golden brown. Leave to cool. Then break up and store in an airtight container.
The Magnesium Magic Bars
Ingredients:
½ cup coconut oil
½ cup natural peanut butter
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup puffed quinoa
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ cup mixed seeds of your choice
Topping of your choice
Method:
Line a 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a saucepan over low heat combine coconut oil, peanut butter, maple syrup and choc chips. Stir until everything is melted and then remove from the heat.
Sir in all the dry ingredients and thoroughly coat.
Transfer mixture to the baking pan and press down into the corners and level off. You can then top with the topping of your choice or leave as is and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
Once firm, remove, cut and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
