Fall has arrived on our Fraser Woods campus, and our toddlers are soaking up every bit of it! The crisp air, the colorful leaves, and the soft sunlight make this such a magical time to explore. Each day, the children head outside ready for discovery—collecting acorns, crunching through piles of leaves, and noticing how the wind makes everything dance around them.

In Montessori, we often say that “play is the work of the child,” and it’s something we see so clearly this time of year. What may look like simple play—carrying a basket of leaves, sweeping the deck, or pouring water for a friend—is actually deeply purposeful work. Through these small tasks, the children are strengthening their coordination, independence, and concentration.

Inside our classroom, the fall theme continues! The shelves are filled with warm colors and natural materials that invite hands-on exploration. The toddlers have especially loved washing pumpkins, sorting tiny wooden pumpkins, and arranging leaves they’ve collected during outdoor time. These activities help them practice fine motor skills while also connecting them to the beauty of the season.

What I love most is watching how the children enjoy these moments together—sharing their discoveries and helping one another with a task. Their joy and curiosity remind us that learning doesn’t just happen at a table; it happens through movement, exploration, and connection with the world.

As we continue through this beautiful season, we’re so grateful for the opportunity to slow down, notice nature’s changes, and see fall through the eyes of our toddlers—full of wonder, work, and play!

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Hello Fall!

This week, our classroom welcomed the cozy season of fall! The children have been observing the changing colors outside and exploring nature through all their senses — crunching leaves, smelling cinnamon, and noticing how the air feels cooler.

We also celebrated a class birthday! In true Montessori tradition, we gathered for a simple celebration. The birthday child walked around the “sun,” holding the globe to represent another trip around the sun. The children loved singing and enjoying a birthday treat.

To continue our fall theme, we baked pumpkin bread together! The children practiced practical life skills — scooping flour, stirring the batter, and carefully pouring ingredients. The classroom and school smelled amazing, and everyone was so proud to taste their work.

Fall is such a wonderful time for hands-on learning and connection. We can’t wait for more cozy, joyful moments ahead!

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

 

This week has been a great week of getting back to what we love to do in our classroom! Montessori encourages purposeful movement, and walking together — noticing the colors of the trees, the shapes of the clouds, and the tiny ants carrying crumbs — became an unplanned nature lesson. The world is always offering something to learn if we slow down enough to see it.

The calm, focused energy that filled the room reminded me of the deep work children are capable of when they’re trusted and given the space to choose.

We got back to baking, our favorite thing to do together. We shared slices of the banana bread we made that morning. Still warm, a little crumbly, and perfectly imperfect. We didn’t need a special occasion — the joy was in the doing. The process was the celebration.

In Montessori, we talk a lot about following the child, but today I was reminded how often the child leads us back to what matters most: presence, purpose, and peace in the everyday moments.

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms.Lizette

We are very excited to share that Miss Mollie is back with us this week! She has seamlessly blended into the classroom as if she’s been here since the start of the year. Her presence has brought so much joy to our space, and it’s been wonderful to see how naturally she connects with the children.

This has truly been one of our best weeks yet — filled with smiles and very few tears. We continue to model kindness and respect within our classroom community, and we’re so proud of the children’s growth in these areas.

As Dr. Maria Montessori said, “Respect all the reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages and try to understand them.” We hold this belief at the heart of our approach — recognizing and honoring each child’s unique pace and way of engaging with the world.

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents for continuing to support our efforts — especially when it comes to encouraging respect for the environment. Simple habits like cleaning up after themselves and eating while seated at the table go a long way in creating a safe and respectful space for everyone. As we like to say, “Tummy to table — we sit while we eat!”

Thank you for your continued support!

It’s hard to believe we are already in the third week! Most of our children have really started to settle in and grow fond of their new environment and teachers. We’re seeing fewer tears and more smiles each day, and outdoor play continues to be a big favorite among our toddlers.

We are also continuing to introduce and reinforce our expectations with the children, such as practicing grace and courtesy, cleaning up after themselves, putting away their work, and sitting at the table during meals. We’re also encouraging them to use the toilet, even if it’s just for a quick sitting.

As Maria Montessori wrote, “Toilet training is not only about learning to use the toilet, it is a preparation for independence, freedom, and self-respect.”

These are important steps in their development, and one of our main goals in the toddler class this year is to help all of our little ones reach the milestone of independent toileting.

Thank you once again for your trust and support. We truly appreciate you all.

As we begin the second week of school, the initial anticipation has settled, and the careful preparation of our Montessori environment is supporting the children as they ease into their new routines. It is a joy to watch our returning students confidently re-engage with their activities and serve as positive role models for the younger children. We are so proud of them.

We are equally grateful to see our new students adjusting, exploring, and beginning to develop a love for their new environment. The children especially enjoy their time outdoors, which offers the perfect opportunity to build trust and connection with our toddlers.

As Maria Montessori beautifully expressed, “The child who has felt a strong sense of trust from the adult will develop a trust in the world around him.” This trust lies at the heart of our work and helps each child feel secure, confident, and ready to learn.

We are deeply thankful to the parents for entrusting us with their little treasures. It is truly an honor to be part of their journey of growth and discovery.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

And just like that, our last week of school has wrapped up! Our last week of school was filled with many new experiences! The class enjoyed Field Day, Nini’s Bees, and Moving Up all this week! Field Day was split into two different days; we were able to watch, celebrate, and cheer on our older students with pride and admiration! Our mini toddler field day was filled with fun, skills, and laughter! We had the ball toss, bean bag launch, and relay race. 

Margot’s, Nini came to our classroom and showed us her spectacular Bees! Her patience and kindness are admirable; she took time explaining how bees gather nectar to help create delicious honey. The children were able to “spot” the queen bee and watch the amazing bees work in the live cell! They all enjoyed the honey tasting and asked for more! It is my sincere hope that this experience will imprint on the children forever to be protectors of bees. 

Moving up…this day is such a proud day! This day is a great celebration of pride. Your children have grown physically, mentally, academically, and socially. It’s a day that recognizes not only their growth and work, but also your commitment as parents to give them such a beautiful Montessori experience. 

Lizette, Anabelle, and I cannot put into words our gratitude and thanks for a splendid year! It was a joy to be with your children, love them each day, and give them all that Montessori has to offer. We see you as parents and how far you have come too, putting your trust in us, and we are so thankful for it! We wish you the best summer, filled with adventures, lots of play, and love!

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie, Ms. Lizette, and Ms. Anabelle