In our Montessori Toddler classroom, we focus on themes connected to the seasons and the children’s everyday experiences. This approach helps them make meaningful connections to the world around them. For September, our exploration centered around apples and farm animals.
Apples appeared in many areas of our environment:
- Movement area – children sorted large apple models into color-matching baskets.
- Art area – they used a variety of apple-themed materials to create their own artwork.
- Refinement of the Hands – children practiced fine motor skills by transferring felt apples, pouring small apples from one vessel to another, posting sliced apples into a container, and using a magnet wand to “remove worms” from an apple.
One highlight was our first food-tasting activity, which was a great success! The children explored red, green, and yellow apples. Together, we talked about the parts of an apple: stem, skin, flesh, and seeds. When we cut the apples horizontally, the children were delighted to discover the little star hidden inside made by the seeds. We also noticed that while the skin looks different on each apple, the inside is the same. Each child then had the opportunity to taste the different varieties of apples.
Later in the week, the children used an apple peeler and corer to prepare apples for applesauce. They worked together to turn the apples into something new, and we are all excited to taste the finished applesauce on Tuesday.
To carry our apple theme into music, we’ve been singing “Way Up High in the Tree.” This song is a class favorite, filled with movement, expression, and anticipation as each child eagerly waits for their turn to “pick” an apple at the end.
September has been full of curiosity, exploration, and joy. From discovering the hidden star inside an apple to working together to make applesauce, the children are learning that the world is full of little surprises waiting to be explored.
Love and Light,
Cynthia and Sara
