Sarah - I’m not super familiar with Montessori yet. I love the theme idea - we’ve been slowly moving in that direction, but haven’t got it all worked out yet. But what are Montessori type bins? Do they categorize all their books by subject?
Well, most Montessori “classrooms” use trays, but we had a toy bin that was not being used, so I use it. A great montessori site is http://livingmontessorinow.com/
I like a lot of their concepts. They focus more on one subject or one type of task or skill at a time. It is also very child led, which I like. I just try to incorporate it into our daily activities and my kids have really responded. One of my favs was a bin where I put some plastic farm animals, a nail brush, a bowl, a small bottle of water, a small bottle of baby shampoo and a washcloth. the kids had to wash the animals. THEY LOVEd IT!! I have the bins I have done posted on my FB pageLove the new story time routine. And, LOVE the pictures of your family. Your dad reminds me of one of my college professors, and your mama is so pretty!
I love books and stories and we have been trying, lately, to find a special way to read them, too.
Also, I looked at the first picture of Charlotte and she always looks so big but without seeing her whole face Oh. My. She looks SO BIG!!
What a beauty.I was just thinking about you and your books today. My daughter is 3 months old and we have finally stopped traveling for a while and are settling at home and I am starting to read to her more regularly. Because I work and my husband is the stay at home care giver it is hard for me to have a specific routine. But, I have found a book she loved—- even though it is a bit for older than her. It is called “on the day your were born”. Not sure if you have read it, but for some reason when I did, I thought of your blog. It is also my newest favorite book.

By Sarah on September 15, 2011
great idea. every two weeks, I do Montessori type bins in our “art room” and they always have a theme (outer space, farm animals). I only pull out the books having to do with the subject. This works fine for my older 3 but my 22 month old has yet to even ask me, on her own, to read to her. I am going to try this today and see if it encourages her.