Winter has arrived, bringing with it a flurry of new experiences for our little ones. Last weekend’s snowstorm set the stage for an exciting week of learning as the toddlers were introduced to dressing themselves for outdoor play in the snow. This may seem like a simple task, but for them, this process is not only a practical life skill but also a significant milestone in their journey toward independence and self-confidence.
In our Montessori environment, we embrace the philosophy of nurturing children’s natural inclination for independence by providing them with age-appropriate responsibilities. Dressing for winter play is a perfect example of this, empowering our toddlers to take care of themselves and prepare for the adventures that await them outdoors.
Throughout the week, the children learned to identify their individual winter bags and retrieve them from the designated area in the classroom. They then settled on the classroom rug, where they began the process of getting ready. First, they removed their indoor shoes, followed by retrieving their winter pants from their bags and laying them out on the ground. With guidance, they learned to pull up their pants while sitting down until they could see their toes, then stand up and finish putting on and zipping their snowsuit. They practiced putting on their snow boots, coats, hats, and mittens. It’s a process that requires practice, but with each opportunity, they are mastering this essential skill. The sense of joy when they realize they are capable of accomplishing this is just so great to witness.
Stepping outside, the children were greeted by a multitude of sensory experiences. The sight of snowflakes drifting from the sky, the sound of their footsteps crunching on the snow, the feel of the cold air on their cheeks, and the taste of fallen snow were sensations that contributed to a rich and meaningful learning experience. As they played and explored, they not only had fun learning to make snow angels and rolling snowballs to create a snowman with Mrs. Mollie but also developed their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination while navigating the playground.
Back inside, the children seemed to enjoy working with the nesting penguins, the winter clothes vocabulary cards. They also engaged in an object-to-picture matching activity focused on Arctic animals. They learned to recognize and observe animals like the harp seal, arctic fox, killer whale, walrus, husky, caribou, beluga whale, and polar bear and learned some fun facts about them through short educational videos, sparking their curiosity about the natural world. This was definitely one of the most popular works this week.
Our food-tasting lesson introduced the children to the vibrant flavor of mango, a surprising favorite among them. They were fascinated to discover that despite its green and red skin, the mango’s pulp is a sunny yellow.
In the world of books, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, Baby Beluga by Raffi, and Potty by Leslie Patricelli captured the children’s imaginations and sparked lively discussions.
It’s been an eventful and enriching week, filled with new experiences and discoveries. We look forward to continuing this journey of learning and growth with your children.
Enjoy the long weekend,
Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Mollie
