Sorting Sprinkles: europe

School doesn't officially start until September 6 for us over here in Germany but that doesn't mean we are not anxious to! :) Until I get back to my regular posting about what we've been up to on that matter, I thought I'd let you know how we've been preparing for it. For example, this year, Adrian will be presented with a lot of geography activities. We've never really done much in that matter because until recently, his interests didn't push him in that direction that much and also, we didn't have access to as many materials as we do now. Overall, Adrian should "visit" every continent this school year, starting with Europe as we happen to live here. Most Montessori schools usually provide a "continent box"/'treasure box" for their students to sift through when it comes to "continental discovery" but as we'll be spending an entire week per continent, I couldn't possibly just put together a box filled with European objects and hope Adrian would have a nice learning week. As such, I'm preparing "trays" filled with actual learning activities that will fit the continent we are learning about. Most activities will include items that could have been found in the continent box (stamps, coins, postcards, etc.), only I will present them instead of simply leaving them in a box.

Europe "Flag Peg People" on Labelled Map

Amongst the activities you would not have found in a continent box is one involving flags. Adrian has been "obsessed" with flags for the last two months or so. With this in mind, I set to prepare more flag activities than less to feed this curiosity. Yes we'll have the "regular" pin-the-flag-on-the-country map activities this year but I also wanted to add some fun. In comes the peg people covered with their national flag! I won't lie, these will only be used as a "revision" activity once Adrian is already familiar with the flags and countries... Also, there will be peg people for all the continent but at this point, I've only painted the European dolls you see...

Nine European dolls are currently part of our collection

I initially ordered a bag of 25 wooden and unpainted peg dolls (USD$8.25 not including shipping from a seller on Etsy). I won't lie. Painting all of these dolls is time consuming but it is relaxing as well as I like crafting. I will also say that the children were very excited to see these the next morning so it was rewarding in a way. I had to keep telling them it would be for school and that we wouldn't just play with them on a daily basis. Adrian loved that they had flags on them and already could tell a few by memory. I did not venture to tell him how they would be used but as you can see, they'll have to be matched with their countries! :)

Control of error: Bottom of peg doll has country symbol

As I plan on using these for a few years (get my money out of the investment), I took the time to write under each doll the abbreviation for each country with a pencil. Eventually, I think Adrian will learn these and that it will be a great way for control of error, especially when all continents are put together, but for now, all dolls will be kept in their separate "continent bag" and that we may have to rely on our book of flags for control of error.

Close-up of the wooden dolls; happy European citizens!

All these peg people were initially unpainted. To give them their national colors, I used acrylic paints (one coat worked well) and lacquered all the dolls with two coats of clear shiny sealant once they were dry to prevent the paints from future damage. So far, the only complaint I have received from the initial dolls being seen is that the "Danish" doll was "missing". I was expecting that actually and it is my mistake. I originally had intended on making one as my son was born in Denmark and identifies with the country but as I had already painted a Swiss doll, I felt the Danneborg might be too similar and decided to go with the Swedish flag instead. Hmm. We'll see if I'm forgiven in a few weeks when I present these during Europe Week! :)

P.S. Don't have time to make your own flag peg dolls? Check out LaLutine's store on Etsy! She sells very similar flag peg dolls that are also eco-friendly. I love crafting so I decided to make my own version of my dolls but that is where I found the original idea for them! :)

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