Hello, Toddler Families
As the weather starts to take a drastic turn upward and we welcome brighter evenings, it's a great time to explore nature and outside time with your toddlers! At school we strive to be outside every day and you all know we embrace play in mud, water, and even snow. Our rain suits and boots have already been put to great use and as the rainy season enters, they'll allow us to be outside even more.
On the playground we constantly see the children in collaborative play creating ice cream shops, car repair, theater productions, and we are offered daily a mix of mulch and rock "soup"! It's an incredible time for gross motor effort, perfecting skills such as balance, climbing, jumping, and sharing. Being outdoors also allows us to encourage the toddlers to trust their own bodies and allow them to climb/maneuver only in ways that they can get themselves into as well as out of. It's an incredible lesson in patience (for us) and perseverance (for them). There's such an importance in standing back, even when there is whining or crying for help, and gently encouraging them to trust themselves. The pride and excitement we see when they work through the situation is incredible.
With this being the week of Purim, we are telling stories about the strength and perseverance of the Jewish people while incorporating art and even more imaginative play. Creative and imaginative play has its own place in the Montessori curriculum and Purim presents a perfect time for dress up and storytelling. This Friday 3/14 we hope to see all of our toddlers in costumes for our Purim celebration as the playground imagination and exploration transfers into our celebration.
As always, thank you for your constant collaboration and support throughout the year. We hope you can enjoy a bike ride or a hike this weekend with your toddlers in the sunshine!
Warmest Regards,
Morahs Megan, K, Sarah