Monday, February 27, 2012

Montessori Services/For Small Hands Review & Giveaway!!

** This giveaway is now closed.
Congrats to the winner!**


I'm really excited about this giveaway because I'm reviewing my long time favorite Montessori supply store, Montessori Services and their partner site, For Small Hands!

You all have seen me link to Montessori Services time and time again. Why? Because I believe they are - without a doubt - the best place to get everything you need to complete and compliment your prepared environment. I'm talking about those wonderful details like baskets, tongs, trays, mats, & pouring kits. It's been my go-to place for those kinds of things ever since I heard about Montessori Services from the Directress at that the top Montessori school here on the island - she orders from them exclusively!

You'll see the materials I've purchased from Montessori Services & For Small Hands peppered throughout our shelves. I could go on and on raving about each and every thing we've ordered, but instead here's just a sample of my absolute favorites:

~pouring stars during our space unit~

We love this gorgeous cobalt blue pouring set. Maria Montessori believed a child's environment should contain beautiful things. This set of carved glass is just that. And it's just the right size for little hands.

MANY of you have asked where I find the tiny objects included in my alphabet box. Among resourcing my own personal collection of odds and ends, I look to Montessori Services to supply some of the particularly cute objects, such as these.

~sorting and transferring~
Trays and transferring tools are in constant use in our classroom. In the sorting activity shown above, the all white tray and three of the tools were purchased from Montessori Services: the mustard spoon, the sugar tongs, and the wooden tongs. PS: this little ladle is also a favorite of ours. :)

~transferring flowers during our St. Patrick's Day unit~

You all know my love of baskets and bowls. The reed baskets shown above, and these tiny maple bowls have been a mainstay on my shelves. They are just the right size for holding small objects for counting and sorting activities.


And last, but not at all least, these space flashcards. As a family of space geeks, James has multiple sets of space cards, but these are by far his favorite! The colors are vibrant, the photos are real, and the cards are thick and sturdy. Good stuff!

Montessori Services excels at Practical Life materials (their kits are fantastic!), but they also offer much, much more. You can find books on a variety of topics, art activities and supplies, kits and tools for your budding scientist, materials for elementary aged children, and for the youngest child, these wonderful books and toys.

Now for the giveaway! Montessori Services has offered to gift one of my readers a $50 gift certificate!! Wahoo!

Here's how you can enter to win:
Mandatory entry:
1. Leave a comment on this post.

Extra entries:
2. Visit Montessori Services or For Small Hands and leave me a separate comment letting me know your favorite thing in their store.
3. Like Counting Coconuts on Facebook and leave me a separate comment on this post letting me know you have/already do.
4. Follow Counting Coconuts and leave me a separate comment on this post letting me know you have/already do.
5. After today come back and leave me one comment per day on this post until the end of the giveaway.

A couple of notes:
:: All comments are moderated - they will NOT appear immediately after you post them.
:: Do not leave your entry comments on the Counting Coconuts Facebook page - they will not be included.
:: Regarding separate comments - each entry will be counted as a chance to win. If you put all of your entry requirements into just ONE comment, you'll only have ONE chance to win.

This giveaway ends at 9pm (Atlantic Time) on Saturday, March 3rd. The winner will be announced the following day.

Good luck, everyone!

419 comments:

1 – 200 of 419   Newer›   Newest»
Nicole said...

Awesome Giveaway!

Unknown said...

Oh I love this store too! My favorite item that has been on my wish list for ages is the wood working benchwith Vise. Thank you!

Nicole said...

This one is easy. I want the Melody Harp. My son watched a young lady play the harp at our church and was mesmerized. Since then he is convinced he will play the harp one day too. This would be a great toy because he is only 4 :) A little too young for a real harp.

Unknown said...

I think I just liked you on facebook. I am new to facebook:) Thank you again.

Unknown said...

I am already a follower of your blog. See you back here tomorrow!!!

jess_hak said...

What a great giveaway! I would LOVE to win this. Thank you for hosting it! :)

Amy said...

I am excited about this giveaway!!!

Amy said...

Follow you on FB

jess_hak said...

I would probably get the language object starter set. I have found some variety here and there, but it would be so nice to just order a ready made set!

Amy said...

Subscribe to you through google reader

Amy said...

I would love to buy some of the pouring sets. They have TONS of amazing ones!!!

jess_hak said...

Liked you on Facebook :) You can contact me through my blog (as well as the other posts by me....sorry I forgot to put that in the other ones)

jess_hak said...

I already follow you...and love, love, LOVE your blog!

My Boys' Teacher said...

What an exciting giveaway! As for you, they are my "go to" for a bunch of things...rugs, tough to find miniatures, children's safety glasses, and much more! I hope I win!

My Boys' Teacher said...

I went to their site, and I have to say I have my eye on some of those flag sets!

My Boys' Teacher said...

I already follow you on facebook :)

My Boys' Teacher said...

I "follow" you by subscribing in Google Reader :)

Sara said...

This sounds great! My email address is sara(dot)Goggin (@) gmail (dot) com

Sara said...

I love the learning ower step stool ... And pretty much everything else on the site!

Urszula said...

Hi :) I like your blog very much and I'm searching the materials for our home classroom :) I wanted to start by practical life exercices and you just gave me a really great place to shop :) Thank you soo much :)

Amy Martin said...

eLove love love all this stuff! I will be starting a new job, in a new school, in a 3 year old room and any of this will help me start transitioning this room.

I also found you on FB!! Excited!!

Danielle said...

I'm excited for the giveaway! I love your blog, it is so helpful!

Danielle said...

I'm following you on facebook.

Danielle said...

So I loved several things in their store, of course, but I think my favorite thing would have to be the birds of the world flashcards. My oldest son loves birds!

Danielle said...

I follow your blog and I love it!

Carrie said...

A gift certificate would be awesome!

Carrie said...

I love the Cook it in a Cup cookbook!

Carrie said...

I liked you on Facebook!

nicarv said...

How fun! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

Carrie said...

I follow you via Google Reader!

nicarv said...

Just visited the website, love all of the stuff. But especially the loop to loop parachute in the cooporative games section

nicarv said...

I liked you on face book :)

nicarv said...

And I am already a follower!

Corrie said...

Wow! I would love to win!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful give away! Kara

Karra said...

We love Montessori Services as well! The movement book is awesome!

Unknown said...

wahoo! this is perfect timing!
twcctw@gmail.com

Karra said...

I like you in Facebook!

Unknown said...

I am a follower of Counting Coconuts!

Unknown said...

I like counting coconuts on facebook!

Unknown said...

I went to Montessori Services and I love their Pouring Kits!!! Just What I'm looking to add to our shelves!

Karra said...

I follow you too!

Karra said...

It's hard to pick a favorite...But I have had my eye on the child size wheelbarrow!

Michelle said...

Yaaay! I love Montessori Services and Small Hands! It would be awesome to win! Off to go pick out my favorite thing...

rossjenc said...

I would LOVE to win!

Michelle said...

My favorite things are probably the practical life stuff. I love the natural brooms, the carpet sweeper, the child sized kitchen things! And I love all the different pitchers available!

Michelle said...

I'm following on facebook :-)

Josh & Teddie said...

I am so excited about this giveaway! I hope I win!
t2e2d2@yahoo.com
~Teddie

Julianna said...

Hi! Great giveaway! Thanks for the free goodies!

Julianna said...

I liked you on fb aleady

Julianna said...

I follow you on fb already.

jaem said...

Thanks for the opportunity!

jaem said...

I follow you with google reader.

jaem said...

From for small hands, I'd like a cooperative game!

jaem said...

From Montessori Services, it's awfully hard to choose. I'd start with that cute mustard spoon and probably delve into kits.

jaem said...

I like you on facebook.

Orchard View Academy said...

LOVE Montessori Services/For Small Hands! In our last order for our homeschool we had such an ecletic mix of things from glass droppers to a push broom and everything was so amazingly well packed. I have never seen a package where so much attention is given to making sure everything arrived in perfect condition - to me that says a lot about the company as a whole! My daughters and I love to look through their catalog together.

Monica said...

Great giveaway! We will be homeschooling next year and would love a chance to win some of these things!

Monica said...

I like you on facebook too!

Monica said...

I visited the store and was going to say I wanted the flocked letters, since we don't have sandpaper letters and my son has a heckuva time writing letters that look like anything. I think those would really help. Then I saw a comment about the melody harp and that sounds even better. :)

Orchard View Academy said...

I love sooo much at MS/FSH... but one of the things that has caught my eye lately is the spiderweb frame. I have been trying to plan out a new garden/play area for my daughters, and I think that would be a really neat addition.

Monica said...

And last but not least, I follow you on google reader. :)

Orchard View Academy said...

Liked you on Facebook!

Orchard View Academy said...

Follow you on Google Reader

kk said...

I love your blog and I love Montessori Services! Many nights I just read through their catalog and go "pretend shopping" - what fun it would be to really go shopping! Thank you for this opportunity! I'll be back to post again :) - Krista

kk said...

I just liked Counting Coconuts on Facebook!

Claire said...

this is an awesome giveaway!! fingers crossed :)

Claire said...

Liked you on FB :)

Taisha said...

This is an awesome giveaway! Thanks! : )

Taisha said...

I like Counting Coconuts on Facebook. : )

Taisha said...

I follow Counting Coconuts. : )

Claire said...

on montessori services my favorite is the build a birdfeeder kit-my son would LOVE this!

catchingfireflies said...

Woohoo excited for this give away!

Claire said...

following you :)

kk said...

Boy oh boy it is difficult to choose just one favorite from their site but I have been trying to bring more art into the parent + child program that I run and would just love to be able to splurge on the Beeswax Crayon Blocks ~ Set of 16. There is something so special about giving children beautiful things to make art! Thanks for the opportunity!

Beth said...

Wow! That's an amazing giveaway! Thanks for offering it!

Beth said...

As for what I'd like from them...that's hard....I think I'd go with the phonetic object box, or maybe a few random objects for my alphabet boxes. I have a good collection of my own but there are some gaps!!

Beth said...

I already like you on Facebook - and am missing your presence there right now :)

Beth said...

And, I already follow you via RSS, that's what you mean right?

catchingfireflies said...

I want the learning tower!

St. Hilaire Sisters said...

Montessori Services is fantastic! I love going to their site and drooling over all the wonderful works!

St. Hilaire Sisters said...

My favorite item at Montessori Services is the sequential sewing activities. My five-year-old daughter loves sewing activities and would love to have skill building activities.

St. Hilaire Sisters said...

I like CC on Facebook!

Steph B said...

Super wonderful tools! I am pretty sure that there isn't anything I wouldn't adore from this lovely shop!

sbitter at live dot com

Steph B said...

I checked out their site and LOVE the embroidery exercise! My 5 year old DD would adore that! sbitter at live dot com

Steph B said...

I follow your blog! sbitter at live dot com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the chance!

Unknown said...

I am following you on facebook :)

Montessori Beginnings said...

What a great giveaway!

Montessori Beginnings said...

Of course I've followed your blog for ages : ) and love it.

Unknown said...

Checked out the stores and WOW.....so many awesome products! I think the learning tower is pretty cool!

sillyp said...

I have looked all over for tongs, the pouring set is perfect...I will have to check their site out! Thanks!

joycie1023 said...

I really like the Montessori approach, but don't want to spend too much money on all the high-quality materials. This $50 would go a long way in helping me teach my baby!

jessica louise said...

this would be so great!! thank you.

Tanya M said...

What a great giveaway!!!
Thank you for the opportunity!

Joey said...

This would be so fantastic to win, thanks for the opportunity!

Tanya M said...

I subscribe to Counting Coconuts via e-mail.

Tanya M said...

I Like Counting Coconuts on Facebook as Tanya Rubezhov.

Amy said...

Ooh, their stuff looks pretty neat

Amy said...

I like Counting Coconuts on facebook

Amy said...

I follow Counting Coconuts in google reader

Abby said...

What a great giveaway!

Tanya M said...

They have great stuff! It's so hard to choose.
I'll narrow it down to Bolt Boards for now. :)

FrontierDreams said...

please oh please pick me! We could really sue this!

FrontierDreams said...

I follow counting coconuts :P

FrontierDreams said...

There are too many favorite to name... the child size kitchen helping supplies, the out door helping supplies.. I could go on and on. I really like their pouring activity sets though.

FrontierDreams said...

Liked you on FB :)

Kris George said...

Awesome giveaway! I love Montessori Services!

Kris George said...

I like Counting Coconuts on Facebook.

Kris George said...

I follow Counting Coconuts. Love to read your posts!

Abby said...

I love the "My First Sewing Book"!

Abby said...

I follow you.

Melissa said...

Love your site...I believe this is the first time I've ever commented, but just wanted to say that you've inspired me to get started with a Montessori education for our youngest. Our oldest child went to Montessori and is currently in public school...since I've decided to quit my job and stay at home, we don't have the funds to send our youngest to Montessori, so I'm excited about working with him, myself and I find your blog hugely inspiring. Even to the point of potentially homeschooling our oldest beginning next year. We'll see. :)

Melissa said...

I visit the Small Hands store quite frequently and have NO idea what I would possibly narrow my choices down to! I do need some tongs and sorting supplies, so that's probably what I would order.

Melissa said...

I like you on Facebook!

Melissa said...

I follow you via Google Reader.

Sarah Sterling said...

You are my go to source on Montessori ideas for my little ones. Thanks for doing this giveaway!

Taisha said...

I think my favorite item from Montessori Services is the tea set. It is just so adorable!

jengod said...

Thanks for doing this giveaway! For Small Hands is one of my very favorite online stores!

Lakshmi said...

Love your Blog... Love Montessori Services and Small Hands...

99% from my country will not homeschool Kids... I'm inspired by your Blog and Homeschooling my son the Montessori way...


would love to have the:
Cobalt pouring set
Laddle
Sorting wodden tray
3 part Cards from Montessori services
Open and Close Velcoro

Erica said...

$50! How exciting!

Erica said...

I likes the Moon Jar Bank from the Montisorri Services website.

Erica said...

I follow via email.

annieb said...

Love this giveaway.

annieb said...

I follow you on FB

annieb said...

Just visited Montessori Services and there are several language objects I would like as well as some new practical life materials.

Danit said...

What a fabulous giveaway!

Danit said...

LIKE you on FB--

Danit said...

I have followed your blog for a few years already, you are my inspiration:)

Danit said...

I love Montessori Services and I love the Japanese Sand Garden!

JennyAnn said...

Would love to win your giveaway. Jenny Stott

Adriane said...

very nice items!

JennyAnn said...

Extra entry...I also love the cobalt blue pouring set. Jenny Stott

JennyAnn said...

I already like you on facebook...jenny stott

Adriane said...

love the learning tower from small hands!

Adriane said...

i like on facebook

JennyAnn said...

I already follow your blog, Jenny Stott

Nichole said...

Amazing giveaway!

Sarah said...

What a great giveaway!

Sarah said...

I would love an assorment of the small kiten prep tools at For Small Hands....mini pizza pans, wisks, wavy chopper, spatula, mini colandars, etc. SO MUCH FUN!

Sarah said...

Like you on FB!

Sarah said...

I follow!

Christine said...

What a great giveaway, I love to look at their catalogue.

Christine said...

I follow you on FB.

Christine said...

I subscribe to you.

Monique said...

I would LOVE to win this gift certificate for my young ones. Thanks for this opportunity!

Förskoleburken said...

Oh, I would so love to win this! :)

Förskoleburken said...

I love all the baking products, such as the mini cooking utensils!

Förskoleburken said...

I'm a fb-fan!

Förskoleburken said...

I follow via google reader!

jess_hak said...

Leaving my extra comment for today! :)

Claire said...

today's entry :)

Anonymous said...

I have recently set up a Montessori station for my 1 1/2 year old. And, although I wondered if he's too young to grasp all of the principles, I figured you can never start too early! The other day, I quickly selected an activity to get him started on, and he said "No, no!". He ran over to get his Montessori mat so that he could do the activity on it! It was a wonderful moment that reinforced to me - nothing you do for your child is in vain. I'd love to get some trays and more activities for my son and his younger sister (8 mo.) with this gift certificate.

Jo said...

What a wonderful giveaway. I'll definitely have to check them out.

Jo said...

I am a fan on facebook

Jo said...

I follow your blog too.

Orchard View Academy said...

Today's comment - one of the many items I would love to purchase from FSH is the Japanese Brush painting set. I would really like to set up a peace table in our home... but more for my daughters to have a spot to calm themselves than for conflict resolution. I think the Japanese brush set would be perfect!

Celia said...

So excited about this giveaway. I just stopped working to stay home with my kiddos and I'd love to get some more materials to make their lives richer.

Celia said...

I follow your blog on my reader.

Celia said...

I loved browsing the site and now I really hope I win because there are several things I want. At this point I'm leaning towards garden tools since I want to start a vegetable garden this spring with my son, but then he was trying to tong with something that wasn't tongs this morning.

Celia said...

I like you on facebook.

Unknown said...

I love the calypso steel drum from Small Hands

Unknown said...

Like on FB!

Tricia said...

Thank you for the giveaway and the new resource - just starting to collect some Montessori items for our home!

Rebekah said...

I like the huggable globe. Sweet. Thanks for the giveaway.

Rebekah said...

I follow your blog.

Olives and Pickles said...

This is one of my favorite sites! I like their transferring trays.
Thanks for hosting!
Patty

Olives and Pickles said...

And yes I follow you (of course : )
Patty

goldtooth said...

following CC on facebook

goldtooth said...

i just wrote about for small hands on my own blog and came across this post on yours. (I reblogged your post at http://iheartmontessori.wordpress.com)
thanks for a great giveaway!
i adore all the child-sized tools on their site, and just ordered the watering can, gardening tool set, and small push broom. i hope to win so i can order some of the kitchen tools like the cutting tools, chefs hat and apron, and the small utensil set.

nd said...

great giveaway! thanks! love all your ideas.
thanks!
noelle

Elizabeth said...

Over this past year you've totally converted me to Montessori! Would be so excited to win!

Elizabeth said...

I LOVE the hammering shapes and all the fun musical instruments!

nd said...

i went to montessori services (for the first time) and appreciated their prices on things. some of the basics (the floor mats) are things i have been looking for as well as the science cards of the solar system. thanks for introducing that website. those were some of my favorites that i have wanted to get. thanks again for the giveaway!
noelle

Renee said...

I would love this!

Danielle said...

I'm trying to start do more montessori activities with my sons and your blog is a HUGE help! Thanks!

Mandy said...

Follow you on Google reader.

Mandy said...

Fingers crossed. (Day 2 entry)

Janice Richardson said...

We would love this! Thanks for the giveaway!

Liz said...

I am so glad to see you posting again, even sporadically! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I LOVE Montessori Services!

Liz said...

Separate comment #2: How can I choose just ONE favorite item from Montessori Services? That's impossible. But if I absolutely have to, it would be their small, child-size broom. It is used many, many times a day in our home and loved by all the children who visit. Thank you!

Liz said...

I like you on Facebook :) and have for some time!

Liz said...

Yep, and I follow your blog, too. I read many blogs, but only follow two -- and yours is one of them! Thanks for offering the giveaway!

Sam said...

Yay! What a great giveaway! I love Montessori Services so it's hard to narrow it down to just one thing, but I would say I love the hairbrush and pouring sets.

Sam said...

I like you on FB!

Sam said...

I really enjoy following your blog and have gained so much insight into the world of Montessori from you!

Kristen said...

What a great giveaway!

Kristen said...

I LOVE the learning tower and wish we had a place for one. I also really like the cobalt pouring set you pictured, we call my daughter the mad scientist because she is always pouring and mixing things.

Kristen said...

I like you on FB

Kristen said...

Following your blog

Mama G said...

I'd love to win!

Mama G said...

I love the kidswitch!

Mama G said...

I like you on FB.

Beth said...

I'm back again for another entry today!

angelverdin said...

Great giveaway!

Craig and Julie said...

I would love to win the gift certificate! I am really wanting to be more intntional with my little ones learning. Thanks for the giveaway! jkwenning@hotmail.com

Sarah M said...

I absolutely L-O-V-E Montessori Services, we buy so much of our children's gifts from there, and they have loved every single thing. Just this morning they have used the small pitcher to pour their drink for both meals, and many of the baskets where various toys are!
Sarah M

Sarah M said...

I already follow you on google reader!!
Sarah M

Craig and Julie said...

We would love a complete Wedgit set. The one that was given to us only has a few pieces. Thanks! jkwenning@hotmail.com

Sarah M said...

as for the item I'd choose? My husband just told me the other day we need to get the kids their own wheelbarrow--so if I don't win the giveaway, I'm sure to be buying it come June for my son!
(We have almost everything else, tools big and small, from MS)
http://www.montessoriservices.com/practical-life/yard-garden/yard-garden-tools/radio-flyer-child-size-wheelbarrow
Sarah M

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