Mrs Wilson: Hello December!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Hello December!

This month, the children will dive into exploring the various holidays celebrated during this festive season, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. We’ll see vibrant colors like blue, silver, red, and green, along with festive objects such as gelt, dreidels, a menorah, decorations for the tree, bells, and gingerbread men. My goal is to encompass all these holidays so that every child feels included and gets a glimpse into how others celebrate, fostering a sense of belonging in their environment.

This week, I started giving lessons at the art easel. In the toddler program, art focuses on the process rather than the product.

We also celebrated a friend’s third birthday! Happy Birthday to our friend.

For our food tasting, we tried the super sour and juicy lemon. Enjoy looking at the puckered faces!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Mollie: Hello December!

Posted on by msmith

This start to December has been absolutely lovely……but mostly filled with SNOW! What an absolutely amazing experience it is for the children to get to experience snow, to feel it, to smell it, and to play in it! We have had so much fun going outside to play, and while that has been a favorite, our daily classroom walk, no matter the weather, has been what the children have been asking for.  Being outside with the children brings them a sense of calm and peace that only the winter months can give. December has been amazing for helping us prepare for the holiday celebrations that will soon be celebrated. 

Each day, the children learn about what makes each holiday special; we are using so many new words to keep up with our ever-growing language. The children are strengthening their hands and bodies with work that challenges them and helps them practice those refinement skills. The children are curious and love learning about the new cultures and traditions. The energy and excitement for this season are truly special, it’s a joy to share with your children!

With Full Hearts, 

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Mrs. Hood: Gratitude and Joy!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Gratitude is an essential part of who we are as humans. It strengthens our relationships, deepens our connections to our communities, and helps us become happier and more compassionate people. While adults understand the importance of expressing gratitude, young children need guidance to truly grasp its meaning. It’s more than saying “please” and “thank you”; it’s about cultivating empathy and valuing the kindness of others—a skill that takes time and modeling to develop. Dr. Montessori understood the value of nurturing a grateful nature in children to help them become compassionate citizens of the world.

In our Montessori environment, gratitude is woven into the fabric of our daily life, and this value truly shone during our heartwarming Thanksgiving ceremony last week. The day began with the joyful Sharing Bread ceremony, where we proudly presented the special bread we made as a class. Students from various levels then expressed their gratitude in diverse ways and languages, creating a beautifully inclusive and memorable experience. Afterward, we gathered in our classroom to share the bread, spreading the delicious homemade butter we had lovingly prepared together that morning. It was such a meaningful and joyful celebration! Thank you all for helping make this occasion so special!

One resource I’ve found invaluable in teaching gratitude to toddlers is The Thankful Book by Todd Parr. The children love it, and it’s been heartwarming to hear our verbal toddlers begin expressing thankfulness. I highly recommend it as a wonderful addition to your home library!

As we dive into December, the classroom is bright with materials that reflect the beauty of the holidays. We’ve started exploring Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, celebrating the joy and wonder these traditions bring. There’s something magical about experiencing this season through the eyes of the children—their curiosity and excitement make every moment special.

We look forward to the coming weeks of learning, exploring, and sharing in the spirit of the holidays together!

Stay warm and enjoy the pictures of your children,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty

Mrs. Wilson: Explorers, Bakers and Firefighters

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson


This week was filled with fun and exciting activities. We took the children on a hike along our campus trails on Monday and we were so proud of them for making it to the gazebo! Our little explorers eagerly ventured into the woods, played in piles of leaves, and discovered an abundance of acorns. It was clear they enjoyed the change of scenery. This was just the first of many hikes planned for this year.

On Tuesday, we were delighted to have a visit from the Botsford Fire and Rescue Department. The children had the chance to sit inside the fire truck and receive their very own fire hats. A big thank you to Fire Chief Bill for the wonderful visit!

On Thursday, the children worked with Sofia’s mom and Harlow’s mom to make homemade white bread and butter. After that, they listened to the story Squirrel is Hungry by Satoshi Kitamura. The delightful aroma of the bread baking in the bread machine filled the room! These loaves of bread will be shared with our community during the school-wide Thanksgiving ceremony on Tuesday, November 26th. The toddlers will enjoy their bread together in our classroom that day.

The children tasted raw cranberries and cranberry sauce. The raw cranberries were tart, and their reactions as they bit into them were fun to watch.

To conclude this week’s blog, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our families. We truly appreciate your trust in us to care for your children every day. They bring a smile to our faces, even on the busiest days. Thank you!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Mollie: November Adventures

Posted on by msmith

 

This week, we have enjoyed so many wonderful new experiences! We had the opportunity to explore a fire truck, meet our local Botsford firemen, and, best of all, sit in the firetruck! The children were a little cautious at first but quickly got very excited to explore the firetruck and the gear that the firemen wear. A huge thank-you to our firemen and women who help keep us safe. You definitely made a BIG impression on such little hearts and minds.

We enjoyed pomegranates this week. The children were eager to enjoy them, but in the true Montessori spirit, they had to get each little gem of the pomegranate out to eat themselves! They asked for more with such politeness and kept working to enjoy each little bite. It was a very successful food tasting, and I loved seeing the fine motor skills put to work. The children were so independent, too!

Our first rainy day in many weeks provided us with the opportunity to use the school gym, which was a first for us! The children were a bit cautious at first, but they quickly were chasing one another, kicking and throwing balls, playing with hula hoops, and silk scarves. It was a great way to chase our wiggles away.

This week, you and your children made my birthday absolutely one of the best! I loved reading each card and am so thankful for the beautiful flowers and gifts. I am so appreciative of each and every one of you! Thank you for making it such a magical experience.

With Full Hearts,
Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Mrs. Hood’s: A Week Full of Discovery

Posted on by Andrea Hood

This week, our classroom was abuzz with excitement as we introduced one of the most cherished independent activities in the Montessori environment: flower arranging. This timeless Practical Life exercise, inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori, empowers children to care for their surroundings while developing independence and a sense of responsibility.

Flower arranging is not just about beauty—it’s a holistic activity that nurtures multiple skills. Your child practices sequencing, judgment of size and capacity, manual dexterity, and focus. Pouring water and arranging blooms in vases all help refine fine motor skills while fostering concentration and a sense of order. Most importantly, your children love it! We’re so grateful for your weekly flower donations, which make this possible.

Another highlight this week was a visit from the Botsford Fire Department, which brought a fun and educational twist to our days. The children were fascinated to learn why the firetruck was green instead of red—turns out greenish-yellow is easier to see in low light! They enjoyed a hands-on tour of the truck and got to sit inside to explore. It was a fun experience!

We also had a great baking day, crafting our own banana bread together. From measuring and mixing to smelling and touching the ingredients, this sensory-rich activity engaged the children in every step of the process. Baking not only introduces them to new vocabulary but also strengthens their confidence and teamwork. We’re excited to share our delicious creation with the FWM community at next week’s Thanksgiving Sharing Bread event, and of course, we’re super excited to enjoy the work of our hands at our own toddler celebration —a wonderful opportunity to celebrate gratitude and connection.

At the end of the week, children enjoyed exploring Pomegranates for food tasting lesson and this fruit received 100%  thumbs ups from your toddlers.

Lastly, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the warm celebration of my birthday this week. I truly treasure the thoughtful cards, gifts, and beautiful flowers. Your kindness made my day extra special, and I feel so lucky to be part of this wonderful community.

Thank you for being part of our journey as we help your children discover the joy of learning through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Have a great weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty

Ms. Mollie: November Gratitude

Posted on by msmith

Our week has been a very busy week! We had so much fun and many celebrations; this week, we enjoyed Veterans Day, reading books about heroes, our military men and women, and doing all the Red, White, and Blue paintings! We also had the privilege of attending our first Diwali celebration, Fraser’s style! We were amazed by the beauty of the celebration, the colorful clothes, the lights, and the Dancing! The children were delighted to see Ms. Paromita dancing with other children and parents in the most upbeat, happy dance! We also got to try the most delicious foods, rice, and gulab jamun- a sweet treat! At the end of the celebration, our small friends were invited to dance! So many thanks to all the families and children and to Paromita for a wonderful celebration!

After such a busy two days, we settled into our daily flow in the classroom. The children, like always, went right to work exploring the materials and found contentment in the work that they did. I do apologize for less pictures, we lived in the moment this week and enjoyed one another.

With full hearts,
Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Mrs. Hood: Let the festivities begin!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

As families around the world eagerly embrace the holiday season, we at the school are equally excited to join in the festive spirit! This week was particularly special as we celebrated the beautiful Festival of Lights—Diwali!

Diwali is a magical time symbolizing new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. This five-day celebration is observed across the globe, with unique rituals in every region. Homes glow warmly with diyas (candles) and oil lamps, while vibrant rangoli patterns adorn entrances, adding splashes of color. Families dress in beautiful new clothes, often with shimmering jewelry, and gather to share joy, laughter, and delectable treats.

Our little ones embraced the joy of Diwali! They were captivated by a colorful presentation and a mesmerizing Indian dance performance by some of our own FWM students, administration members, teachers, and parents. Of course, no Diwali celebration is complete without sweets! The children savored the soft, syrupy deliciousness of gulab jamun and enjoyed the flavorful goodness of rice pulao.

In the classroom, creativity bloomed as the toddlers designed and decorated their very own diyas using vibrant colors and a sprinkle of imagination.

Switching gears, we’ve also started exploring the wonders of the forest with our new unit on woodland animals. This week, the children met five fascinating creatures and learned a couple of facts about them:

  • Black Bear: A big, furry animal that loves to munch on berries, fish, and honey. We learned how they hibernate in cozy dens during the winter!
  • Moose: The tallest animal in the forest with long, strong legs and huge antlers. Moose enjoy munching on leaves, twigs, and even water plants.
  • Fox: A sly and clever animal with a bushy tail. Foxes are excellent at sneaking around to find their dinner. I told them the story of a fox that comes every day to my home to see if he can eat one of my chickens!
  • Beaver: A hardworking animal with big teeth and a flat tail. Beavers build homes, called lodges, using sticks and mud!
  • Owl: night-loving bird with big, glowing eyes. The toddlers were amazed to learn that owls can turn their heads almost all the way around!

Finally, our week ended on a sweet note during the food-tasting lesson! The children sampled juicy pears, and this fresh, yummy fruit was a hit—earning a 99% approval rating from our toddlers.

Enjoy the weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty