The children are intense explorers and they absorb their entire environment using their senses. When it comes to science, these are the most important tools children use to observe the world around them. This week I created a science activity that stimulates the children to think and ask questions about the world.

I introduced an ice melt tray for an experiment. It includes a bowl of ice, a small bowl of salt, a teaspoon, and a little tray for adding salt to the ice cubes. Then I asked a question: What happens when I add salt to the ice? The children thought about different responses. Some said the ice is melting, others said it is frozen. The children were very fascinated to observe the ice melting when it is mixed with salt. They go further with their thinking to make connections between what they have observed in the class and their home. After shoveling the snow parents throw some salt on the ground to help the ice on the ground melt.   

While ice fits nicely into our science winter theme, it is also a fun sensory activity. We added some ice in the bin, a jar of watercolor, and paintbrushes. The Children love to see the magic paint on the ice and how the ice takes different colors. They also observe how this activity doesn’t last for a long time because of the warm temperature of the room that causes the ice to melt quickly. It is an inviting way to paint on a surface other than paper and a way to stimulate children’s sense of touch and think about the change of the ice.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend.

Kaoutar and Sara

Winter is such a fun time to head outdoors and look for animal tracks. We have had an amazing week learning about animal tracks in the snow.

At circle time, I start talking about how animals are around us in the woods, but often we don’t know they are there. They hide in the trees, or they are nocturnal. I asked, “What types of animals leave tracks in snow or mud?” One child said cat paw, another one said bear print. Then I presented a lesson about matching cards of animal tracks, using a printed sheet that has all animal prints and their names as a control of error. The children were very interested, curious, and creative in guessing the tracks for each animal.    

I extended the lesson by creating snowy tracks as a sensory lesson. The tray has cards of animal tracks with some baking soda and a small makeup brush. The latter is used to sweep away the snow and uncover each line of the tracks. This is a wonderful sweeping, brushing, and fine motor skills practice.

I also printed an animal track identification paper to use for the scavenger hunt at recess. Children love to explore and find animal prints outdoors. It is an enjoyable experience and connects us to nature by learning about winter animal tracks.  

Peace and love,

Kaoutar and Sara

Have you ever observed your child very interested in learning a new skill during their developmental stages?

These critical stages of development are called a Montessori Sensitive Period. The Sensitive Period refers to a window in the children’s development when they will be very receptive to learning new knowledge and to develop a new milestone.

The children from prenatal to six years old, experience three important Sensitive Periods: Order, Movement, and Language. Following a daily routine of our classroom and being in a home–like, organized, and beautiful environment creates a sense of order for the children. They love to know what to expect in their daily schedule. It also helps to reduce stress and anxiety. They get to build their movement skills from the time in their mom’s tummy till four and half years old. It starts from learning how to use small objects to walking and running. During the sensitive period of language, the child’s absorbent mind is ready to expand his vocabulary, thoughts, and feelings. They need a positive and emotional tie between children and teachers so that learning can take place.

To understand deeply where each child is emotionally, socially, and academically, teachers do regular observations and we take notes of the lessons that they are doing. Tracing the shift of interest of each child. To feed their curiosity and support their learning, we provide a variety of new lessons weekly in each area of our classroom.

The success of the Montessori environment is evident when the children can read and know numbers at an early age. However, very early education is not the purpose of the approach. Maria Montessori’s purpose is that learning occurs naturally and joyfully for each child. Maria Montessori said, “We can only give each child the chance to fulfill his/her potential possibilities to become an independent, secure, and balanced human being.”

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Kaoutar and Sara