Even with a short week, our toddlers had a wonderful time exploring, learning, and connecting with the world around them in so many meaningful ways.

Our chicken study continued to spark curiosity and conversation. This week, the children observed and compared the differences between a hen and a rooster. They noticed that roosters are often bigger, with more colorful feathers and a tall, bright red comb, while hens are usually smaller and more subtly colored. Using pictures and vocabulary cards, we talked about the different parts of a chicken, like the beak, comb, wattle, feathers, and feet, and we also practiced the sounds hens and roosters make—they seemed to really enjoy this!

As part of our study, we also introduced one of a chicken’s favorite foods: worms! The children were fascinated to learn about how chickens love to peck around for worms, and we brought that idea into the classroom with a sensory bin full of realistic, wiggly worm replicas. There was lots of laughter and pretend play as little hands explored the squishy “worms” in the soil.

Another hands-on activity this week involved learning to use a mortar and pestle to crush clean, dried eggshells. The children took turns gently grinding the shells into smaller pieces, then helped sprinkle them into the soil of our classroom plants. We talked about how eggshells give the plants nutrients, especially calcium, to help them grow strong. This was a beautiful example of caring for our environment and connecting life cycles—chickens, eggs, and growing plants—all in one meaningful activity.

For our weekly food tasting, we explored snap peas! Some children dove right in, enjoying the satisfying crunch and slightly sweet flavor, while others watched curiously before taking a brave bite.

We also celebrated a birthday this week! As always, a favorite activity in our environment, as it gives the birthday child a moment to feel seen and special. The class always enjoys singing together and hearing a few sweet moments shared about the birthday child’s journey around the sun.

As we wrap up the week, we want to wish a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate. May your weekend be filled with peace, joy, and time with loved ones.

Warmly,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty

Welcome, Spring! Although snowflakes surprised us Thursday night, they left no trace by morning—just a chilly breeze and some puddles beneath our boots. Still, the lengthening days, cheerful birdsong, and gentle shifts in nature signal that spring is quietly and finally making its entrance.

In our Montessori environment, we guide the children to slow down and notice these changes with curiosity and care. Tiny buds on branches, soft sprouts emerging from the earth, and even the way sunlight lingers a bit longer in the afternoon are all invitations to observe, wonder, and connect with the natural world.

This week, we’ve been focusing on recognizing signs of spring. Whether it’s watching birds hopping across the playground, discovering early blooms, or feeling the cool air after an unexpected snow, the children are learning that change happens in small, beautiful ways.

Spring also gives us a perfect segue into one of our favorite topics: life cycles. Toddlers are naturally curious about the world, and the life cycle of living things sparks their imagination in such a special way. It helps them build early scientific knowledge, explore language through new vocabulary, and fosters a deeper sense of empathy and respect for nature.

This week, we kicked off our study of the life cycle of a chicken! From interesting eggs to fluffy chicks to full-grown hens, the journey from egg to adult is something toddlers truly enjoy exploring. So far, we’ve focused on two main ideas: chickens come from eggs, and a baby chicken is called a chick. The children watched a short, engaging video that showed the hatching process—it was magical to see their faces light up with curiosity and amazement.

We also learned that not all eggs have baby chicks inside. Some are meant to be eaten—and we did just that. As part of our food-tasting lesson, we explored the parts of an egg and introduced words like shell, egg white, and yolk. The children tasted scrambled eggs, and as an extension of the lesson, we practiced peeling boiled eggs, which turned into a wonderful hands-on activity. Peeling eggs helps toddlers develop fine motor skills and strengthens hand-eye coordination. It also teaches patience and focus—two beautiful qualities we see blossoming every day.

To bring in a little cultural fun, we also introduced a classic Spanish children’s song: Los Poll tos. In Spanish, the chicks say, “pio, pio,” instead of “chirp, chirp.” Just an interesting cultural bonus sent your way. 🙂 The children loved singing along and mimicking the sweet sounds of the chicks! You’ll find a link to the song at the bottom of this note if you’d like to enjoy it at home with your child!

Building on our recent color studies, we introduced the color purple and discovered how it can be made by mixing red and blue. The children were delighted to see the transformation happen before their eyes—yet another example of how wonder and learning go hand in hand.

Lastly, the children poured their hearts into a beautiful collaborative masterpiece with Jen Reid, our amazing art teacher—and we’re thrilled to announce it will be featured in the live auction at Springfest on May 3rd! This one-of-a-kind creation is a true reflection of their creativity, teamwork, and joy. We can’t wait for you to see it! Your participation not only supports our school but also celebrates the incredible spirit of our community. Let’s come together and make this event unforgettable! We hope to see you there! 🎉

Have a great weekend,

Ms. Hood and Ms. Patty

This week, we continued our exploration of the colors of the rainbow, diving into the magical world of color mixing! Our focus was on the color orange, and the children were amazed to discover that combining red and yellow creates this warm, cheerful hue. At the easel, they observed this transformation firsthand, blending the colors and watching different shades of orange emerge on their paper. It was a joyful experience filled with curiosity and creativity!

To extend this learning, we tied our color studies into nutrition by recognizing fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy foods by their colors. During snack and lunchtime, the children were excited to share the colors of the rainbow they found in their food containers. This activity not only reinforces color recognition but also highlights the importance of a balanced diet. You can try this at home by encouraging your child to identify the colors on their plate and talk about the benefits of eating a variety of colorful foods!

In addition to colors, the children have been fascinated by zoo animals! We’ve talked about the difference between pets and wild animals, and some of the class favorites include the lion, elephant, zebra, cheetah, and giraffe. The children have enjoyed learning about their habitats, characteristics, and unique features.

As we soak up the last cool days before spring is in full bloom, we’ve been spending extra time outdoors exploring nature. Watching them run, jump, and observe the changing environment has been a delight, and we look forward to fully embracing the beauty of springtime in the coming weeks!

This week, our food-tasting lesson introduced the children to plantains. The children were definitely intrigued by this fruit, which looks like a banana but tastes quite different. They sampled both soft and chip-style plantains, discovering a new flavor that many of them enjoyed.

To wrap up our week, we engaged in a magical Sensorial art project using food coloring, cotton swabs, dish soap, and milk. The children watched in awe as the dish soap reacted with the fat in the milk, causing the food coloring to swirl and dance. Their expressions of wonder were priceless! To preserve this moment, we placed watercolor paper onto the surface, capturing beautiful and unique prints of their milk art.

Thank you for sharing in our adventures… we can’t wait for more fun ahead!

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty