• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Living Montessori Now

Montessori Inspiration for Parents and Teachers

  • HOME
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • PR/Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Montessori
    • About Montessori
    • Resources
    • ABCs of Montessori
    • Overview
    • Principles
    • Free Printables
    • Materials
    • Homeschool Classroom and Materials
      • Circle Time Activities
    • Techniques
    • Training
      • Free Montessori Video Lessons
    • Inspiration
  • Activities
    • Circle Time Activities
    • Art
    • Cultural
    • Language
    • Math
    • Practical Life
    • Practical Life – Grace and Courtesy
    • Sensorial
    • Unit Studies
    • PreK + K Sharing
    • Monthly Themed Activities
    • Holidays and Celebrations
  • Homeschooling
    • Homeschooling
    • Homeschool High School
    • Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials
    • Unit Studies
    • PreK + K Sharing
    • Circle Time Activities
    • Monthly Themed Activities
    • Holidays and Celebrations
    • Free Montessori Video Lessons
  • Free Printables
    • Free Printables
    • Sign up for the Living Montessori Now Newsletter & Get Monthly Subscriber Freebies!
    • More Than 13 Years’ Worth of Free Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities
    • Free Montessori Geography Album
  • Holidays
    • Resources for Upcoming Holidays
    • Holidays and Celebrations
  • Subscribe
    • Sign up for the Living Montessori Now Newsletter & Get Monthly Subscriber Freebies!
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Products
    • My Products

Montessori-Inspired Kindness

January 23, 2012 By Deb Chitwood 34 Comments

Welcome to the 100 Acts of Kindness! And welcome to the 100 Acts of Kindness week 2 challenge (which you can do at any time)!

Montessori-Inspired Kindness

 

Toddler Approved had the kindness challenge for week 1: Kindness Challenge #1: Saying Thank You. If you missed it, you can do it at any time! Just do the 100 acts of kindness in whatever way works for your family.

This week’s challenge: choose 5 Montessori-inspired ways to give love to relatives (or one Montessori-inspired way to give love to 5 relatives).  It doesn’t matter if you normally use Montessori education at home or not. Regardless of the age of participants in your family, you can easily make these Montessori-inspired acts of kindness.

Here are some Montessori concepts for ideas:

For younger children, prepare an activity tray or table.

Montessori-Inspired Love Sticker Card Tray

Montessori-Inspired Love Sticker Card Tray

The sticker tray in the photo is something you can easily put together and keep on a low shelf for your child to use whenever he or she chooses to create a card for a relative.

I don’t have markers, scissors, or glue on the tray because I had a central location on a shelf for those supplies. You could add those to your tray if you wish. The tray just has lace doilies (mine are in a napkin holder that has sentimental value as it was from Finland and belonged to my grandmother), paper for cards, 5¾ x 8¾ greeting card envelopes (available at office supply stores), and a supply of stickers in a container.

You could put together a simple tray like that or a tray with the materials for any Valentine’s Day craft. The accessible tray is helpful because it allows your child to choose to do the activity and to repeat the activity when he or she wishes, an important Montessori principle.

Montessori-Oriented Pipe-Cleaner-and-Bead Valentine

Montessori-Oriented Pipe-Cleaner-and-Bead Valentine’s Day Activity

I have a post with ideas for turning Valentine’s Day crafts into Montessori-oriented activities.

Valentine Writing Tray (Photo from The Work Plan)

Valentine Writing Tray (Photo from The Work Plan)

The Work Plan has a Montessori-inspired Valentine writing tray.

Valentine Placemats Tray (Photo from Little Wonders

Valentine Placemats Tray (Photo from Little Wonders’ Days)

Little Wonders’ Days had a Montessori-inspired Valentine placemats tray.

If you have room for a table instead of a tray, you could have a Valentine card-making work table or area, Valentine sun catchers table, or another craft area similar to one at My Montessori Journey.

For any age, let your child help choose the activities.

Choice is an important part of Montessori education, and the project will have the most meaning if your child is an active participant in choosing what you’ll do.

Follow your child’s interests.

Following the child is one of the main principles in Montessori, and you can consider this a Montessori-inspired activity (with any age) if it’s an interest-led activity. If you’re doing this activity with adults, make sure you’re choosing activities of interest to whoever is participating.

My daughter, Christina, talking to me on Skype

My daughter, Christina, talking to me on Skype

For example, if someone is interested in technology, you might want to create a video for a relative, create a digital scrapbook page or album, or create memories together on Skype. Help Your Child Create Unforgettable Cards and Gifts through Digital Scrapbooking is a post I wrote with ideas for following that interest. Creating Memories Together on Skype is a post I published which tells about one of my family’s favorite ways to share love from a distance.

If your family is celebrating Chinese New Year, you might like to choose a Chinese New Year activity or activities to give to a relative.

Follow Deb @ Living Montessori Now’s board Kids’ Chinese New Year Activities on Pinterest.

I have a Kids’ Chinese New Year Activities Pinterest board filled with activities to choose from.

Baking Cookies (Photo from Kitchen Counter Chronicles)

Baking Cookies (Photo from Kitchen Counter Chronicles)

If your child likes baking, bake something for a relative like the cookie-baking activity by Jen from Kitchen Counter Chronicles at Toddler Approved.

Valentine

Valentine’s Day Jar of Hearts (Photo from The Outlaw Mom)

If your family is interested in Valentine’s Day and enjoys crafts, make something like the Jar of Hearts from Outlaw Mom. (Post is no longer available.)

UPDATE: JDaniel4’s Mom has interest-led and practical life activities for helping others: Acts of Kindness – Montessori Style.

Follow Deb @ Living Montessori Now’s board Kids’ Valentine’s Day Activities on Pinterest.

I have a Kids’ Valentine’s Day Pinterest board with lots of Valentine’s Day crafts and activities to choose from.

Follow Deb @ Living Montessori Now’s board Kindness Projects on Pinterest.

I also have a Kindness Projects Pinterest board with kindness projects to choose from.

Update: More Ideas for Kindness Projects

  • Random Acts of Kindness Week – Montessori-Inspired 100 Acts of Kindness Project
  • Kindness Project for Children and Adults of All Ages
  • Simple Ways to Make a Difference in the World
  • Family Fun with 100 Acts of Kindness and Operation Beautiful
  • Including a Toddler in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge
  • Using Montessori Principles in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge
  • Teaching Kids to Be Kind
  • The Ultimate Guide to Having Kind Kids This Christmas
  • Focusing on Toddler Manners in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge
  • Free Kindness Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
  • Completing 100 Acts of Kindness (Toddler Manners Challenge) and Starting 100+ Acts of Kindness
  • The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves
  • Encouraging 100 Acts of Kindness with the Kindness Elves
  • Introducing the Kind Words Challenge with the Kindness Elves
  • 20+ Printable Manners Cards, Booklets, Charts, and Games
  • Encouraging Kindness with Gardening Activities and the Kindness Elves
  • Encouraging Kindness with the We’re All Wonders Picture Book
  • Encourage Kindness with the Wonder Books #ChooseKind
  • Simple Literature-Based Ideas with the Pink and Green Kindness Elves
  • How to Do a Simple Version of Camp Kindness
  • Ways to Be Kind to Humankind for Kids and Adults
  • How to Help Your Kids Get the Most out of the Wonder Movie
  • Teaching about Hunger and Poverty through a Food and Toy Drive
  • Kindness Project for Children and Adults of All Ages {100 Acts of Kindness}
  • 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge for Big Sisters and Big Brothers
  • Free Inspirational Kindness Videos for a Variety of Ages
  • How to Add Kind Words from Books to the Kind Words Challenge
  • How I Prepared a Simple Kindness Elves Activity for Giving Tuesday (or Any Time)
  • The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, a Baby, and a Toddler Join Our Food and Toy Drive
  • Family 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge for Babies and Older Children
  • The Kindness Elves and Pete the Cat Join Our 5th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
  • Family and Neighborhood 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge for Toddlers on Up
  • How to Make a 100 Hearts Sensory Bottle (100 Hearts Calming Bottle)
  • Our Online and Curbside Family Food and Toy Drive
  • How to Prepare a Book Basket That Encourages Kindness
  • The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 7th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive

Deb - Signature

Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!

If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven’t already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook page where you’ll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), and YouTube. While you’re here, please check out the Living Montessori Now shop.

And don’t forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll receive some awesome freebies in the process!

Filed Under: Activity of the Week, Holidays and Celebrations, Homeschooling, Making a Difference, Montessori Monday, Peace Education Tagged With: 100 acts of kindness, Activity of the Week, Kindness project, Montessori Monday, Montessori-inspired kindness, Valentine's Day

Previous Post: « Montessori-Inspired Peace Education Activities
Next Post: Giveaway – 5 Autographed Character Books (ARV $74) for Elementary-Age Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Discovering Montessori says

    January 23, 2012 at 6:02 am

    Thank you for featuring our work! Lot of inspiration here. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 6:46 am

      My pleasure, Discovering Montessori … I love your post! Thanks for your kind comment! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nicole (Mama to 4 Blessings) says

    January 23, 2012 at 6:32 am

    Deb – thank you for the linky – I noticed that One Hook Wonder isn’t doing Montessori anymore so she will not have a weekly linky. Will you be doing a linky every Monday?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 6:49 am

      Thanks for your comment, Nicole! I’ll miss seeing One Hook Wonder’s Montessori activities, but I’ll post the Montessori Monday linky here at 6:00am EST each Monday.

      Reply
  3. Toddler Approved says

    January 23, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Great post! I am excited to start planning our activities to share love with our families!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks so much! And thanks for inviting me to plan this week’s challenge. Sharing love with my family is one of my very favorite things to do! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Little Wonders' Days says

    January 23, 2012 at 11:30 am

    Thank you for featuring our valentine placemat tray. My kids were so little in that picture, but I still remember them making their placemats.

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 8:19 pm

      My pleasure, Kelly! Isn’t great that you have so many precious memories preserved in your blog?!

      Reply
  5. Randalin {Harvesting Kale} says

    January 23, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks for hosting this! I love the different idea’s everyone is sharing.

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 8:21 pm

      Thanks, Randalin! I always look forward to seeing everyone’s Montessori Monday posts, too … such great inspiration to start the week. And I’m so glad you’ve joined us with your great posts and lovely photos! 🙂

      Reply
  6. The Iowa Farmer's Wife says

    January 23, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    what great ideas! I love the Kindness project too! We’ve had fun coming up with ideas. I haven’t posted yet but last night we put together seed packets for a cousin who is starting her first garden (she’s 12) and my toddler transferred seeds into little envelopes. It was so fun!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 8:23 pm

      Thanks so much! What a sweet idea … I’ll look forward to seeing your post about it! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Chrissy says

    January 23, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    So many wonderful ideas here, I don’t even know where to start! I’m really looking forward to setting some of these up for my two. Thanks so much for sharing our Jar of Hearts 🙂 We had lots of fun with it!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 23, 2012 at 8:28 pm

      Thanks, Chrissy! I LOVE your Jar of Hearts … what a very special gift to give someone! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Jenn says

    January 24, 2012 at 4:37 am

    I love the Pinterest board recommendations – you have some great finds there (as though I needed more Pinterest boards to follow…)

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 24, 2012 at 6:55 pm

      Thanks, Jenn! LOL about the Pinterest boards … can totally relate! 🙂

      Reply
  9. sheila says

    January 24, 2012 at 7:07 pm

    Deb, you have GOT to be the most informational and the most organized person I’ve never met in real life. Actually, probably the most also IN real life of those people I know. You are amazing!
    Great post! Great project!!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 25, 2012 at 10:00 pm

      Sheila, thank you so much for your very, very sweet words! I wish I were actually that organized in real life! LOL 😉

      Reply
  10. Little Wonders' Days says

    January 25, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    I’m always so glad that you link up to AfterSchool. Your blog is amazing and such a wonderful resource.

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 25, 2012 at 10:01 pm

      Thanks so much, Kelly! I always look forward to seeing what’s at AfterSchool … great for my Pinterest boards! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Natalie says

    January 25, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    Fantastic ideas! I like the idea of a card-making place. Perhaps I’ll experiment with it next week.

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 25, 2012 at 10:03 pm

      Thanks, Natalie! It’s very simple to set up, and I always loved seeing what creations my kids came up with. I often was the lucky recipient as well … still have every card my kids gave me! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Rebekah Survance says

    January 27, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    I love your Pinterest board – new follower of your blog!!! 🙂 I love this Valentine theme you have… I’m definitely going to recreate the writing tray – so cute!!! Thanks for sharing.

    ~Bekah @SonshineTotSchool.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 28, 2012 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind comment, Bekah! And thanks for following my blog! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Katie says

    January 28, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Love the heart beading activity, I’m going to be pinning that right now! It would be fantastic for my daughter’s fine motor skills! As always, love your Monday posts!! Thanks for sharing at Thrifty Thursday!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 28, 2012 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks so much, Katie! I was always a fan of activities that are fun projects as well as great for fine-motor skills … it’s wonderful that lots of craft projects accomplish both! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Aimee says

    January 29, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    You know what- after reading this post I discovered that a lot of times I do things in a Montessori-style. I like to teach via creativity and although I project an outcome I like to follow what my children are interested in. Great examples of showing others how they can go with the child’s interest in this post! Love this idea and thank you for sharing your ideas with us on The Sunday Showcase ~Aimee

    Reply
    • Deb says

      January 29, 2012 at 11:13 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind comment, Aimee! I always find it amazing how easy it is to follow a number of Montessori principles without actually trying to! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Sierra at H is for Homeschooling says

    January 31, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    Thank you for sharing this post at WOTT, Deb! So many good ideas to pin and follow through with, so little time in the day! Your themed collections are such a blessing! They save me so much time searching and I really appreciate it!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 1, 2012 at 11:05 pm

      Thanks for your kind comment, Sierra! I’m so glad my posts are helpful … I love it when I can make life easier for busy moms like you! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Rupert says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:09 am

    hey….there are so many things to start up with. Little confused from where to start. I think I m gonna commence with Jar of Hearts. Deb, thanks for sharing such creative things. BTW I love site’s layout.

    decal lettering

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 3, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Thanks, Rupert! The Jar of Hearts would be a great place to start … have fun! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says

    February 4, 2012 at 6:02 am

    so many fabulous ideas all in one place! thanks for sharing on the sunday showcase – pinned this!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 9, 2012 at 11:06 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind comment, Bern! And thanks for pinning my post! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

What Are You Looking For?

...and get free geography album, monthly subscriber freebie, and access to the Living Montessori Now Resource Library! 

 I respect your privacy

Categories

Shop Living Montessori Now!

Living Montessori Now Sponsors

Montessori Print Shop

Alison's Montessori
Montessori for the Earth

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives

I Recommend (My Affiliates)

Montessori by Mom

Shop Montessori Services
Shop For Small Hands

How to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding, or Yelling



Shop KiwiCo

Shop Little Passports for Award-Winning Adventure

Printed Alphabet Wood Tracing Board

Little Passports

Footer

Connect with LMN



Supervision

The activities shared on this blog require adult supervision at all times. You know which activities are appropriate for your children and/or the children under your care and are responsible for those children's safety.

You Can Also Find Me

Bits of Positivity PreK + K Sharing Spring Snow Publications

Subscribe by Email


Copyright © 2025 Deb Chitwood · Web Design & Hosting · Servously.com