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.

This week, we began learning about arctic animals and explored what snow is and what happens when it melts. The children were curious and engaged as we talked about winter weather in simple, hands-on ways. We even brought snow in from outside and watched it melt!

We introduced several new puzzles and color-matching activities. These works encouraged problem-solving, focus, and visual discrimination, and it was wonderful to see the children concentrating and celebrating their successes.

A new practical life activity this week focused on putting on and taking off mittens and gloves. This work supports independence and builds the fine motor skills needed for winter dressing. We are also practicing independently getting dressed in snow pants, jackets, and boots each time we go outside. The children are working so hard and growing more confident every day.

We’ve also been enjoying cooperative play using soft wool “snowballs.” The children worked together to roll them back and forth with friends, practicing turn-taking, coordination, and social skills, all while having lots of fun.

It’s been a wonderful week of winter learning, independence-building, and teamwork. We love seeing the children take pride in what they can do and support one another as they grow!

This week brought cold temperatures and snowy weather, and we enjoyed every bit of it! We practiced putting on our snow gear and heading outside to move our bodies as much as possible. Getting bundled up was great practice in independence and patience, and once outside, we loved exploring and moving in the winter air. When it was too chilly, we headed to the gym to keep our bodies active and strong.

One of the highlights of the week was our pajama pancake breakfast, a cozy and delicious treat! The children enjoyed eating together and did an amazing job pouring their own syrup. We also tasted hot chocolate, and there were lots of happy faces (and very full bellies!).

We introduced a new practical life activity: wrapping and unwrapping a present using reusable wrapping paper. The children loved opening and closing the paper, practicing fine motor skills, and exploring this festive work again and again.

Maverick celebrated his 3rd birthday and made three trips around the sun. Then we got to share some yummy birthday cake.

We also had the chance to watch the school’s winter showcase. Our class was captivated and couldn’t help but dance along and mimic the children on stage. It was such a joyful moment to see them engage with music and movement together.

This week, our classroom was full of energy, movement, and joy! We made it a priority to get outside as much as possible, and when the weather didn’t cooperate, we happily used the gym to help everyone get their wiggles out.

In the gym and outdoors, the children enjoyed riding cars, jumping, climbing, and practicing throwing and kicking balls. These activities help build balance, coordination, and confidence while giving everyone a chance to move their bodies in fun and healthy ways.

Inside the classroom, we spent time reading books about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The children loved listening to the stories, looking at the pictures, and learning that families celebrate in different ways.

We also enjoyed plenty of calm, focused activities throughout the week. The children painted, completed puzzles, built tall towers, and explored many other classroom materials. It was wonderful to see their creativity, concentration, and teamwork as they played and learned together.

It was a busy and exciting week filled with movement, learning, and creativity. Enjoy the pictures!

Reminders:

• Thursday the 18th is pajamas and pancakes.
• Friday the 19th is the Winter Showcase at 10:30. Toddlers do not participate in the show but we do attend. If you would like your child to sit with you please let me know. If you would like them to stay with the class, please stay out of sight so they aren’t upset during the concert. Dismissal is at 11:15.

 

What a festive and exciting transition week we had—moving from Thanksgiving celebrations into snowy weather and the start of December!

Right before break, we made Bread in a Bag, and the children loved being part of the whole process. They helped pour the ingredients, squish the mixture together, and then knead the dough with their hands. We gave one loaf to the school to have for their celebration.

While our dough was rising, we explored how cream can change when it’s mixed. We poured heavy cream into a jar, gave it a big shake, and watched it turn into whipped cream, which we tasted! With more shaking, the cream separated into butter and buttermilk, and the children were fascinated watching it transform. When the bread finished baking, we all enjoyed the bread with our freshly made butter. It was a cozy, delicious way to start the holiday.

After Thanksgiving break, we stepped right into freezing temperatures and our first snow. We went outside while it was snowing and talked about how rain turns into ice or snow when it gets very cold.

One morning, the children were especially curious:
“Where did all the sand go?”
The sandbox had a light layer of snow covering it like a blanket. The toddlers spent time brushing the snow aside and happily rediscovering the sand underneath. Their excitement and wonder made the chilly morning so much fun.

Inside the classroom, we welcomed December by introducing new Christmas and winter-themed activities. The children have been exploring these materials with so much joy and focus as we continue moving into the holiday season.

It’s been a week full of discovery, sensory experiences, and winter magic. We can’t wait for all the learning and joy this month will bring! Enjoy all the pictures!

Reminders:

• Please send in extra warm pants and sweatshirts to keep in their bin. Playing outside and getting wet and muddy requires a change of clothes. Lightweight leggings and pants are not enough for these cold temps.

This week, we added several new fall-themed activities to our shelves, giving the children fresh opportunities to build fine motor skills, practice sorting, and explore seasonal materials.

One of our new works invited the children to use their fingers to pull corn kernels off a dried cob. This activity was a big hit! It strengthens finger muscles, supports hand–eye coordination, and gives them a satisfying sensory experience as the kernels pop off.

We also introduced painted acorns paired with matching colored bowls. The children carefully sorted each acorn into the bowl with the same color, building visual discrimination, concentration, and early categorizing skills.

To support scooping and feeding skills, we added a tray with fall-colored glass stones. The children practiced scooping the stones and transferring them into different containers. This work helps develop wrist control, hand strength, and independence at mealtime.

The toddlers loved exploring their new fall activities, and it was wonderful to watch their focus, determination, and excitement grow throughout the week.

Reminders:

• Next week, we have an early dismissal on Tuesday, starting at 11:15.

This week, we introduced several new fall-themed materials to explore, including activities with warm colors, leaves, and seasonal objects.  The children were naturally drawn to the new trays and loved exploring what each one could do.  One of our most popular new choices was water transferring using a dropper.  The children practiced squeezing, releasing, and carefully moving water from one container to another.  We also introduced clothespin color matching.  The toddlers worked hard to open and close the pins using their fingers and match each pin to the correct colored space.  These activities support concentration, hand strength, and early pre-writing skills.  We also set up a dishwashing station.  They practiced scrubbing dishes with soap and water and a sponge.  This real, practical work helps build independence and focus.  There were lots of bubbles, messes, and smiles!

Reminders:

• Tuesday, November 25th, is an early dismissal (11:30), and then we are off for Thanksgiving break.

Enjoy the pictures!

What a busy and exciting week we’ve had together!  Our toddlers explored so many new sights, sounds, textures, and tastes as we continued learning about fall and the world around us.

We spent some time experimenting with colors.  Using red and yellow paint, we mixed them together to see what would happen and discovered the beautiful fall color orange!  They loved watching the colors swirl and change right before their eyes.

We took a closer look at the inside of a pumpkin as well. The children used their hands to feel the squishy insides and find the seeds hiding inside. It was a great sensory experience to connect with the season.

This week’s food tasting included pomegranate seeds as well as raw and cooked broccoli. The children explored the textures and tastes and loved the pomegranate seeds!  Most of the children preferred the cooked broccoli over the raw.

We also had the opportunity to learn a little about Diwali, the Festival of Lights.  We watched a traditional dance, looked at bright and colorful decorations, and even tried a special rice dish.

To end the week, we had a special visit from the fire department! The children got to see a fire truck up close, go inside, and even take home their own firefighter hats.  It was such an exciting morning!

Reminders:

• Check backpacks for notes letting you know if your children need more diapers or extra clothes.
• The classroom door opens at 8:30, unless you have an older sibling (8:20) or have paid for early drop-off. Please adhere to that time, as we need time to prepare the classroom and for the children. We had a lot of children dropping off before 8:30 this week.

Enjoy all the pictures!