Mrs. Wilson: Jingle All The Way!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

This week, our classroom has been filled with movement, laughter, and lots of big energy. With the winter temperatures dipping so low, it has been tricky to spend as much time outside as we normally do. When we aren’t able to get outdoors—or stay out long enough to release all of that wonderful toddler energy—we find creative ways to bring movement indoors.

One of the children’s favorite activities this week has been using our bell instruments while “rocking out” to Jingle Bell Rock and other jingle bell songs. The joy on their faces is priceless as they shake the bells, dance, and move their bodies to the rhythm. This activity has quickly become a top request throughout the morning, and it’s a beautiful way for them to engage their whole bodies while exploring sound and music.

We also added a fun new twist to our movement needs: a gingerbread hide-and-seek game. One of us hides gingerbread people around the school, and the children search for them during our walks around campus. Their excitement builds as they scan the hallways, and the moment a child spots a gingerbread person is pure magic. Each child takes a turn, gently removing one from the wall, practicing patience, turn-taking, and observational skills along the way.

Even when the weather keeps us inside, we still find meaningful and joyful ways to move.

Food Tasting: This week in our ongoing exploration of citrus fruits, the children tasted lime. We will continue this citrus study into the new year. The lime was a refreshing surprise—many children found it even more sour than last week’s lemon! It sparked wonderful facial expressions, curious reactions, and lots of eager chatter. Lime is one of my personal favorite citrus flavors, and it was delightful to see the children approach it with such curiosity and courage.

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Mollie: Joyful!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

As the days grow shorter and the classroom fills with giggles and familiar routines, we are slowing down and enjoying our time together. In our classroom, we are learning about Christmas and Hanukkah and the traditions they bring. These experiences help the children build awareness of the world around them while honoring the beauty of different traditions.

This time of year invites us to seek the little joys. A candle glowing softly, the sound of a song sung together, the comfort of a warm snack, or a friend’s smile during work time—these small moments are often the most meaningful to our toddlers. We are focusing on togetherness, kindness, and enjoying one another’s presence.

With the colder weather, it can be harder to spend long periods of time outdoors. We are still making time for short walks and fresh air when possible, while also supporting the children’s need to move their bodies indoors in safe, purposeful ways. This week, we introduced a Pikler climber to our classroom. The children have been exploring it with great concentration, building strength, confidence, and body awareness at their own pace.

As excitement grows, we also remain mindful of each child’s need for consistency. Toddlers thrive on routine, and this busy season can feel overwhelming. Respecting your child’s boundaries and honoring their schedule—especially sleep, meals, and quiet time—helps them feel safe and regulated. It is okay to say no to extra events, to leave early, or to keep things simple.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s emotional well-being during this joyful and busy season. Together, we can help the children experience the holidays with calm, connection, and a sense of peace.

Wishing your family warmth, rest, and many little joys. ❄️✨

With Full Hearts, Ms.Mollie and Ms.Lizette

Ps……Thursday is Pajama Day!!!

Ms. Mollie: Hello December!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

Hello December!

This week in our Montessori toddler community, the children were busy with rich sensory experiences, hands-on work, and thoughtful conversations about the season.

One of our favorite moments last week was baking focaccia bread together. Mixing, mixing, and more mixing made the perfect dough!  The children loved pressing their little fingertips into the soft dough, drizzling olive oil, and sprinkling herbs on top. Baking provides such meaningful practical life practice—pouring, stirring, smelling, tasting—and the joy on their faces as we shared the warm bread together made the work even more special.

We will begin our gentle exploration of winter celebrations. Through simple stories, songs, and materials, the children were introduced to Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice. In the Montessori toddler environment, these lessons are kept very concrete and sensory: noticing the warm glow of Christmas lights, exploring seasonal colors and natural items, and talking about the kindness, light, and togetherness that these holidays celebrate. Each child engaged at their own level, taking in the beauty and calm of the season.

As the days grow shorter, we continue to slow down, create cozy moments, and offer opportunities for connection and wonder. It has been a lovely week of learning, discovery, and community.

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Mrs. Wilson: A Festive December

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Welcome, December! This month brings so many joyful celebrations, and the children are already feeling the excitement in our classroom. We began the week by celebrating a friend’s birthday, which is always such a special moment in our community.

Over the course of the week, the classroom received a thoughtful seasonal refresh. Each area now gently highlights the many different holidays celebrated around the world in December. From Christmas—both Santa and the Nativity—to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, the children will find beautiful, simple materials that represent each tradition. Even the soft sound of jingle bells has made its way into the environment, inviting the children to jingle all the way around the room.

These items are intentionally placed throughout the Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Art areas, inviting children to explore, notice, and enjoy the diversity of celebrations in a hands-on, meaningful way.

It has been wonderful watching the children discover these new materials and make connections as they move through the classroom. 

Food Tasting: was a bright, sunny, and wonderfully sour lemon. The children had so much fun watching each other’s reactions—from wide eyes to tiny puckers—and they were eager to smell, touch, and taste this vibrant fruit.

December is off to a lovely start!

Love and Light!

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

 

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.

Ms. Mollie: A New Classmate and Gratitude!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

This week, we were excited to welcome a new classmate into our toddler community. The children showed such gentle curiosity—offering toys, making space at the table, and helping our new friend learn the routine. It was a lovely reminder of how naturally toddlers embrace grace and courtesy when given the chance.

We have also been talking about Thanksgiving and the idea of gratitude in simple, concrete ways. During circle time, the children shared what makes them feel happy—family, pets, favorite foods, and special classroom materials. We read seasonal books and practiced using kind hands and thankful words.

The weather has been a big part of our conversations too. As the days grow colder and windier, the children are noticing changes during outdoor play—crunchy leaves, cloudy skies, and the need for warm jackets and hats. We took time to slow down and observe, giving the children language for what they see and feel.

It has been a full and joyful week in our toddler community. We look forward to more discoveries together!

Remember that unless you are signed up for early drop-off, please do not arrive before 8:30… we want to make sure the drop-off line is clear for our older students.

With Full Hearts,

Ms.Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

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.

Mrs. Wilson: Baking Bread

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

A special highlight this week was baking bread for our upcoming Thanksgiving celebration. This is a tradition we look forward to each year as part of our community-wide event. While we do not attend the Thanksgiving ceremony with the other students, we are always excited to participate in the bread sharing. This year, we chose a festive Cranberry Orange bread. The children gathered around with Ms. Alyssa and Ms. Melissa, eagerly helping to combine, whisk, and mix all the ingredients.

One loaf of this delicious bread will be shared with the whole school next week, while the second loaf will be enjoyed in our classroom alongside the homemade butter the children helped prepare. Turning heavy cream into butter takes plenty of shaking—and even more perseverance—which made the final result all the more rewarding for them.

A lovely moment from this week was introducing a prism to the children. Their excitement grew as beams of light scattered across the room, forming tiny rainbows on the walls and floor. The children eagerly moved around the classroom, trying to “catch” the rainbows as they appeared. It was a simple yet magical exploration of light, color, and movement.

For our food tasting this week, we explored a pomegranate. The children were fascinated as Mrs. Wilson demonstrated how to open it and remove the seeds. By cutting the top, slicing along the natural lines, and tapping the skin with a wooden spoon, the seeds fall out easily into a bowl. It certainly seemed that the children loved tasting the crunchy, juicy, bright red pomegranate seeds!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara