Have you heard of La Vaca Lola?

Maria Montessori believed that the first six years of life are crucial for a child’s language development, and research backs her up. From birth, children thrive on the right kinds of stimulation, especially when it comes to language. Many specialists agree, particularly when discussing the benefits of learning foreign languages at an early age.

Studies show that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical thinking, and listening skills. It also improves memory, concentration, and even multitasking! Bilingual children often show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility, which is why we immerse your toddler in Spanish every day in our environment.

For the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring farm life and animals with the children. Mimicking animal sounds, like “moo” or “baa,” helps toddlers practice the rhythm and cadence of speech. These simple, repetitive sounds are easy for them to reproduce, strengthening their ability to form and articulate words. They also sharpen auditory discrimination, a key skill for distinguishing between similar sounds as their vocabulary grows.

To tie our farm theme with learning Spanish, we introduced “La Vaca Lola” (The Cow Named Lola) this week, a lively song that instantly caught the children’s attention! It’s been wonderful to see some of our students already singing the words in Spanish while others watch closely and listen as I sing. To keep the fun going at home, I encourage you to take advantage of this beautiful weather and visit a farm nearby! Point out the animals, name them, and practice their sounds with your child. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they catch on.

On another note, we had a big highlight this week: the introduction of our first food-tasting lesson! The excitement was high as I placed the food-tasting tray in front of the children, especially for our second-year students, who knew what was coming. The children gathered quietly, eyes wide with anticipation, as I slowly lifted the towel to reveal the surprise underneath—an apple!

First, I showed the apple whole, then cut it in half, and finally, served it in slices. We used descriptive words like “cold,” “smooth,” “red,” and “tasty” to expand their vocabulary while they touched and examined the fruit. I took a piece and tasted it slowly and dramatically, building their curiosity and excitement before inviting them to taste. Everyone joined in and enjoyed some delicious apple slices. This food-tasting activity is a favorite every year, and we can’t wait to explore new flavors each week.

We also had a special celebration this week—our first classroom birthday! It’s amazing to watch how much our little friends grow in such a short time.

And just for some extra fun at home, I’ve included the music video of “La Vaca Lola” below. Go ahead, turn up the volume, and enjoy it with your little ones!

Enjoy the weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Noelle

La vaca Lola (The cow named Lola)

La vaca Lola (The cow named Lola)

Tiene cabeza (has a head)

Y tiene cola (and it has a tail)

Y hace moo! (and she says moo)

 

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We look forward to seeing you at Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 25. Please sign up for your conference here.

Welcome to the FWM 2024-2025 Toddler School Year!

As we wrap up our phase-in period, we are beyond thrilled with the progress we’ve seen in your toddlers! Each day, we witness fewer tears at drop-off and more dancing, laughter, and joy throughout the morning. It’s truly heartwarming to see them grow more confident and comfortable in their new environment.

Over the past two weeks, the children have been busy exploring their surroundings and becoming familiar with the space. Our learning environment is designed to promote independence, freedom, and choice. Here, children are empowered to make decisions while gradually learning the importance of caring for each other, their materials, and the classroom itself.

As we encourage this freedom, we’ve also begun introducing some foundational ground rules. One key rule is Respect for Others’ Work. In traditional school settings, young children are often encouraged to share. While sharing is an important value, at this stage of development, children are not yet ready for it. Instead, we focus on taking turns, which fosters patience, mindfulness, independence, order, and concentration. By removing the pressure of having their materials taken away, children can work peacefully until they are finished. When a child wishes to work independently, we encourage them to say, “This is my work. Please don’t touch it.” We also teach them to quietly observe their peers at work—it’s wonderful to see even our youngest students mastering these skills with a bit of gentle guidance.

Another rule we’ve introduced is Respect for Our Materials. As guides, we model the importance of handling materials with care and gentleness. If a child decides to throw a piece of material, we redirect them to an appropriate alternative, like a ball, while reinforcing positive behavior with simple verbal cues such as, “We throw the ball,” or “We are gentle with our materials.”

In addition to learning classroom expectations, the children have been practicing a variety of practical life skills: sitting in a community circle, self-serving snacks, participating in the toileting process, using white mats for working on the ground, cleaning up before moving on to another activity, and transitioning smoothly between places. Of course, they’ve also enjoyed plenty of outdoor time on the toddler playground, a favorite part of their day!

Some of the children’s favorite songs this week include: “Walking in the Jungle” by Super Simple Songs, “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “The Goldfish” by Laurie Berkner, “The Wheels on the Bus” by Cedarmont Kids, and “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” It’s always a joy to see them light up when these tunes play!

The phase-in period lays the foundation for a successful year of learning, and we want to express our gratitude for your support in helping us create a safe and nurturing space for your children. Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious jewels—we have already formed special bonds with each child, bonds that will only continue to grow throughout the year.

This is shaping up to be an incredible school year, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead!

Enjoy some photos of your beautiful children,
Mrs. Hood and Ms. Noelle

As the school year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey we’ve shared. This has been a year filled with laughter, discovery, and countless moments of wonder as we watched your children grow, explore, and learn. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed and how much your little ones have blossomed.

It’s been a privilege to witness your children’s first steps into independence, their eyes lighting up with curiosity and their hearts expanding with new friendships. Each day has been an adventure filled with joy and the purest expressions of childhood.

From the moment we began our mornings together, your children brought an energy and enthusiasm that made every day special. Whether it was mastering a new skill, discovering the magic in everyday objects, or simply sharing a giggle with a friend, their progress has been a testament to the power of exploration and the nurturing environment we strive to provide.

We’ve celebrated many milestones this year. The excitement of learning to pour their own water, the pride in completing a puzzle, the joy of storytime, and the contentment found in quiet moments of concentration. These seemingly small achievements are monumental steps in your child’s development, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Our classroom has been a vibrant living space where your children feel safe, loved, and valued. They learned not just academic skills but important life lessons in empathy, patience, and respect. We have cherished each of their unique personalities and watched them form bonds with their peers, learning the give-and-take of social interactions.

To you, dear parents, I extend my deepest gratitude. Thank you for trusting us with your precious ones, for your support, and for being our partners in this journey. Your involvement and encouragement have been crucial in making this year so successful. We appreciate your dedication and the love you pour into your children’s lives.

As we part ways for the summer, I want to leave you with this thought: the progress your children have made this year is just the beginning. Their potential is boundless, and I am confident that they will continue to thrive and amaze you. Continue to nurture their curiosity, celebrate their achievements, and, most importantly, enjoy the beautiful journey of watching them grow.

Thank you for allowing Mollie and me to be a part of your child’s early education. It has been an honor and a joy. I wish you all a summer filled with sunshine, laughter, and cherished moments with your little ones.

Enjoy the pics from our two last birthday celebrations this week and the contrasting pictures of the first weeks and the last weeks of school of your child in our Toddler program!

With warmest regards,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Mollie