Winter holidays are used in our environment as a fun way to keep children engaged, encourage joy of learning, and help us to introduce the passage of time and seasons. Since they bring a sense of light and joyfulness to the long, dark winter months and create a sense of community, we welcome them wholeheartedly.

In addition to other materials, some of the favorite holiday works in our environment have been placing little ornaments onto the Christmas tree, placing candles on the Menorah, spooning and transferring holiday jewels and colorful ornaments, and flipping pretend latkes in the pan.

Holiday songs have also been present in our environment daily and children have had some fun times playing instruments and dancing to famous holiday songs.

On another note, painting on the easel was a new addition to our art shelf this week. There are three main objectives of this exercise. First, the development of hand-eye coordination. Dipping the paintbrush in and out of the paint pot requires a steady hand and a keen eye, working simultaneously. Second, small motor control. Holding the paintbrush and whooshing it across the paper in the direction you want it to go is hard work when you’re small. Think of all the pre-writing skills they are learning just by holding the brush! Third, and I have to say my favorite goal, creative independence! There are no rules when it comes to painting. There is no predetermined product, just a process. The children can plan their own painting from start to finish without any interference from adult rules or directions. The only thing they must remember is to paint only on the paper. Their sense of satisfaction after they finish their masterpiece is just incredible to witness!

In the practical life area we introduced the exercise of water transferring using a dropper. It’s a challenging exercise but children were so proud of themselves when they were able to make the dropper work and hear the sound of the water touching the silver bowl. It’s common to hear some children say to themselves, “squeeze, open,” as they work hard to coordinate their hand movements.

For food tasting, we explored sweet potatoes this week and it was a well received root vegetable by most of our toddlers.

We can’t wait for our holiday pajama celebration next week! Please feel free to send your child in pajamas on Wednesday, December 14th and thank you in advance for all your support to make this happen!

Have a joyful weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Bethann

Shake, Shake, Shake! A word we practiced over and over while making our homemade butter! Now that our delicious bread and butter was ready to go, we were all ready for our big celebration. After joining the rest of the school on the Thanksgiving ceremony, we proceeded to our classroom to share bread. Children received a lesson on spreading butter and each one of them had the opportunity to do so on their own bread! It was a wonderful morning and we are so thankful for your support! You all helped to make this beautiful morning a success. 

For food tasting, we explored a pomegranate, and this fruit was a hit! Children seemed curious about how the fruit looked on the inside and they enjoyed watching the seeds just popping out and falling easily in the bowl. Eating pomegranate is like enjoying some little candies, so I wasn’t surprised children loved it! 

In the movement area we presented a new balance board and children have been creatively exploring its many uses! This board stimulates the vestibular system, supports muscles responsible for the correct posture, develops the sense of balance and supports the development of the sense of proprioception.  It’s a favorite in our environment these days. 

In our Spanish studies children have been practicing commands and words like: caminar (walk) parar (stop), brincar (jump), bailar (dance), correr (run), comer (eat) and dormir (sleep), through the song “Da una vuelta en tu lugar” by Baila Baila. 

As we enter the holidays, we would like to know if there is a special holiday you and your family celebrate this time of year. If so, please feel free to let us know! We would like find a way to include it in our environment and enjoy that holiday with you! 

Best,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Bethann

One of the main highlights of this week was our baking day, preparing for our Thanksgiving celebration next Tuesday. Children listened to the names of ingredients and had the opportunity to touch, smell, watch and help with the mixing of the ingredients of a delicious Vegan banana bread.  On Monday the whole class will work together to prepare homemade butter as well. We can’t wait to celebrate and take time to let our thankful hearts speak, one more time.

Showing gratitude is an important part of who we are as humans. It strengthens our relationships and our connection to our communities and even makes us happier and more compassionate people. Although adults understand the worth in expressing gratitude, young children find it more difficult. Gratitude involves being sensitive and empathetic to others, and truly appreciating what others do for you. While children can quickly learn to say please and thank you, it takes time and guidance to help them truly learn to be grateful.

Dr. Montessori implicitly understood the value in fostering a grateful nature in children and helping them become compassionate citizens of the world. That’s why in our Montessori environment, gratitude is key. We regularly take time with each of our students to express thankfulness for specific things.

I find The Thankful Book by Todd Parr a great resource to use with the toddlers when we are learning about Gratitude. They really enjoy it and I highly recommend it for all the families to have at home.  It has been great to hear our verbal toddlers start expressing thankfulness.

On another note, we introduced the work: How to clean a dry spill on a table. Children are practicing how to use a small crumb brush and dustpan and are learning the difference on what brush and dustpan to use when either cleaning the tables or the floors.

Since water activities have been more present in our environment, children  were also introduced to how to use a floor mop. Children have been enjoying straining cranberries in the sensory bin and mopping the floor has been a great extension to encourage independence, order and concentration.

For food tasting we explored plantains and my Latino heart couldn’t feel happier! Children seemed to really enjoy it, so feel free to ask me how to prepare it at home if you don’t know already. Es delicioso!

We also celebrated another birthday! I can’t believe how fast these little humans are growing!

As your family prepares for next week’s festivities, we wish you peace and happiness.

We are thankful for you, for your support and for entrusting us with your little one!

Have a great weekend,

Mrs. Hood’s and Ms. Bethann

Just a reminder, Tuesday, November 22nd is a half-day for all students with an early dismissal at 11:30 am.

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving Break!