Mrs. Wilson: The Beauty of Purposeful Risks

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

In Montessori, we hold a deep respect for the child’s innate ability to know themselves. Allowing children the freedom to take appropriate risks is an essential part of honoring that trust. While our adult instincts often urge us to protect and intervene, growth happens when children are given space to explore their bodies, their limits, and their capabilities.

Through purposeful risk-taking, children develop body awareness, self-regulation, and a quiet, authentic confidence. Materials such as the Pikler triangle are intentionally designed to support this work, offering children opportunities to refine movement, build spatial awareness, and lay important foundations for later learning, including reading and writing.

Within the prepared environment, we allow children to climb, balance, and move without hovering or unnecessary assistance. We refrain from lifting, guiding, or directing, trusting each child to move at their own pace and to listen to their own body. Our language is equally intentional; we avoid phrases that project adult fear or judgment, choosing instead to observe with calm presence.

What unfolds is a beautiful process of self-construction. Day by day, children reveal an increasing sense of confidence, coordination, and awareness—not because they were told they could, but because they discovered it for themselves.

So many celebrations are happening each week. This week, we celebrated another friend’s third birthday. Happy Birthday to our friend!

Food tasting: This week, the children explored a pineapple. Through this sensorial experience, they observed its bright yellow color, felt its textured skin, noticed its sweet aroma, and tasted its juicy, tangy flavor. Pineapple for the win!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Mollie: Snowy Day!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

This was a short week in our classroom, and with some time out due to illness, there are only a few photos to capture our days. Still, one shining moment stands out so clearly.
We bundled up and stepped into the snow-covered Zen garden here at Fraser Woods, protected from the wind and wrapped in stillness. For a few peaceful minutes, the children played in the deep snow, scooping, stepping, and simply being. In the Montessori world, this is called BIG work. Playing in this type of snow engaged the children’s minds and bodies and gave a deep sensorial impression. The calm that followed was almost immediate. Our energy reset, our bodies settled, and our hearts felt lighter.
This small moment was a gentle reminder of the importance of going outside, even if only for a few minutes. Nature offers regulation, grounding, and quiet joy, sometimes exactly what we need most. ❄️🌿

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, we wrapped up our arctic animals study, and the children had so much fun bringing what they learned into their movement and play. They loved sliding down the slides like penguins, laughing and pretending as they moved their bodies in new ways.

To continue our winter exploration indoors, we brought out soft play blocks and invited the children to walk and balance on “pretend ice blocks.” This was a wonderful way to practice balance, coordination, and confidence while keeping the theme playful and imaginative.

The cold temperatures and strong wind chills made outdoor play unsafe this week, so we focused on keeping our bodies moving inside. We’re hopeful that next week’s weather will allow us to get back outside and enjoy some fresh air together.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to transition into February, when our classroom will soon be filled with love, friendship, and kindness. We can’t wait to begin exploring these themes with the children next week!

Mrs. Wilson: Winter’s Peace

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

There is something truly special about this time of year. Despite the colder temperatures and fewer opportunities to get outside, we are gifted the chance to slow down and witness the beauty of growth unfolding within the classroom. Staying in the classroom without the interruption of transitions brings a unique kind of calm and focus. While we certainly experience ebbs and flows of big energy that need an outlet, once those needs are met, the children become centered and ready to return to purposeful work with renewed focus.

When the temperatures allow for winter play, we cherish every moment outdoors. This weekend’s snowfall gave us the opportunity to build a snowman with the children and even become the targets of a few flying snowballs! These playful moments strengthen our bonds and bring so much joy, as the children delight in making us laugh and having snow much fun together. We are looking forward to more snowy days and hope to create winter masterpieces that get to stay awhile—without falling victim to an enthusiastic knockover.

This week, we were excited to welcome two new classmates to the classroom. The children were incredibly nurturing and welcoming, helping to care for them and making them feel right at home.

Food Tasting:
 This week’s food tasting featured the delicious and juicy kiwi. The children explored its fuzzy skin before tasting its sweet and tart flavor—and it was a big hit!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, several children were absent. With a smaller class size, our days were filled with extra snuggles, reading, and lots of one-on-one time. It was a quieter week, but one that allowed for meaningful connections and calm moments together.

We continued our winter theme by rescuing penguins frozen inside ice blocks. The children were fascinated as they worked to free the penguins, observing the ice and talking about how it melts. We also built ice castles, experimenting with stacking large, slippery ice cubes and problem-solving when they slid or toppled over.

The children took great pride in helping care for our classroom. They eagerly participated in sweeping, mopping, and wiping tables, showing responsibility and independence while caring for their shared space.

Stay warm, stay safe, and try to enjoy the slower pace this snowstorm brings—sometimes being “stuck inside” gives us the gift of extra quality time with our families.

We’re looking forward to healthier days and seeing everyone back together soon! 💕

Ms. Mollie: Snow Play! ❄️☃️

Posted on by Mollie Smith

This week, we are filled with excitement as we welcome the snow and all that it brings. Rather than fighting the elements, we work with them, embracing the season as it is and allowing the children to experience its beauty firsthand. Snow offers a natural invitation to slow down, observe, and explore with all of our senses.

The children delight in the crunch beneath their boots, the cold air on their cheeks, and the quiet that settles over the world after snowfall. These moments outdoors help ground and regulate their bodies while fostering a deep respect for nature and its rhythms.

Indoors, we extend this seasonal work through art. The children explored snow painting, using cool colors and gentle brush strokes to reflect what they observed outside. This process-focused work allows them to express their experiences creatively while strengthening fine motor skills and independence. We value the experience over the final product, honoring each child’s unique expression.

By teaching children to find beauty in each season, we nurture resilience, curiosity, and gratitude for the natural world. Winter is not something to rush through; it is something to be experienced, appreciated, and enjoyed together.

With Full Hearts,

Ms.Mollie and Ms.Lizette

Ms. Vicki’s Class

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, we focused on patience, calmness, and classroom routines as we continued strengthening our Montessori practices together.

We spent time practicing important classroom routines, such as unrolling and rolling up our work mats to clearly define our workspaces. The children also worked on walking calmly in the classroom, helping to create a peaceful environment where everyone can focus and feel safe. These routines support independence, respect for materials, and awareness of others.

One of our favorite activities this week was transferring “arctic ice water” (blue-colored water). The children carefully poured and transferred the water, practicing control, concentration, and steady hands while connecting the work to our winter theme.

We painted snowflakes using cotton swabs, giving the children a new tool to explore. This activity encouraged creativity while strengthening fine motor skills and hand control.

We also practiced cutting paper with scissors, an important activity for building hand strength and pre-writing skills. The children worked with focus and determination, proudly snipping their paper and improving with each attempt. If you saw an envelope go home this week, those were their snips!

It was a peaceful and productive week filled with intentional work, growing independence, and calm moments. We’re so proud of the effort the children are putting into their routines and self-control each day.

Reminders:

  • No school Monday, January 19th.

Mrs. Wilson: Celebrations

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

This week, the children surprised me with the sweetest half-birthday celebration. I received such thoughtful cards and beautiful flowers. Thank you all so very much! We also celebrated another friend’s second birthday, so there was a lot to celebrate in our classroom.

We are also celebrating the arrival of our new cubbies! Each child now has their own space to hang coats and backpacks, along with a designated spot for indoor shoes. The children adapted very well to this change and quickly learned the new location for their belongings.

The area where the cubbies were previously located has now been transformed into our library and quiet space. We added family photos and worked to make it feel cozy and welcoming. We are very excited about these new changes and how they support our classroom community.

This week, the children also had the opportunity to taste clementines, which we used as a great food-prep exercise. After exploring the clementines together and watching me demonstrate how to peel them, each child received their own to practice peeling before enjoying their snack.

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara