2024 Newsletter Term 03 | Issue 02

In our toddler classroom, we’re embarking on a delightful adventure into the world of emotions! Understanding and expressing feelings is a crucial part of early development, and we’re excited to guide our little ones through this important journey.

Our approach to teaching emotions is hands-on and playful. We use a variety of engaging activities, such as emotion-themed storybooks, expressive art projects, and interactive games, to help toddlers recognise and name their feelings.

Through these activities, toddlers are beginning to identify and label their own emotions, as well as recognise those of their peers. They are learning that it’s okay to express how they feel, whether they’re happy, sad, or even frustrated. This early emotional literacy helps them build stronger social skills, self-regulation and fosters a nurturing environment where they feel valued and understood.

As always, we encourage parents to continue these conversations at home. Simple practices, like naming emotions during everyday moments or reading emotion-focused books together, can reinforce what we’re learning in the classroom.

The exploration of the decimal system through golden beads and cards is crucial for building a strong mathematical foundation. These materials provide a tangible, hands-on experience that helps children understand the concepts of units, tens, hundreds, and thousands. By manipulating the beads and associating them with the corresponding cards, children develop a concrete understanding of place value, the base ten system, and the relationships between quantities. This early exploration fosters a deep comprehension of mathematical concepts, laying the groundwork for more advanced arithmetic and problem-solving skills in the future.

Greetings from the heart of our small but vibrant Montessori community!

Exploring Newton’s Laws Through Hands-On Experiments
Our budding scientists have been delving into the world of physics with hands-on experiments centred around Newton’s three laws of motion. The children have explored concepts such as inertia, force, and action-reaction by conducting various experiments. This exploration not only fosters a love for science but also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

A Journey to Ancient Greece
Our classroom has taken a captivating journey back in time to ancient Greece. The children have been researching famous heroes and the 12 Olympians, learning about the myths and stories that shaped this remarkable civilisation.This research ties in beautifully with our Montessori philosophy, as the children are encouraged to pursue their interests and share their knowledge with others.

Gardening: Growing Knowledge and Patience

In our ongoing gardening project, the children have experienced the joy and responsibility of growing their own plants from seed. This hands-on experience has been an excellent lesson in patience, care, and the wonders of nature. Each child has taken ownership of their plants, diligently watering and observing them as they grow. This project ties into our broader curriculum by reinforcing lessons in botany, ecology, and the importance of sustainability.

Introducing Montessori Handwork: Fundamental Sewing Skills

This fortnight, we’ve also introduced the children to Montessori Handwork, beginning with fundamental sewing skills. The children have embraced this new area of learning with enthusiasm, taking pride in mastering basic stitches and creating simple projects. Handwork in Montessori education is more than just a practical life skill; it develops concentration, fine motor skills, and a sense of accomplishment. Through sewing, the children are also learning patience, precision, and the joy of creating something tangible with their own hands.

Daily Curriculum Flourishing
The past fortnight has also seen flourishing work in our daily curriculum areas. In language studies, the children have been honing their writing and reading comprehension skills, with a particular focus on grammar, word studies and expanding their vocabulary. In numeracy, the classroom has been filled with the energy of children working on mental math facts recall, while in geometry, they’ve been exploring the properties of shapes, spatial reasoning and angles. It’s wonderful to witness the confidence and enthusiasm with which the children approach their work.

Literature: Delving into The Trumpet of the Swan
Our literature studies have been enriched by our analysis of E.B. White’s classic, The Trumpet of the Swan. The children have been captivated by the story of Louis the trumpeter swan and his journey to find his voice. Through group discussions and individual reflections, we’ve explored themes of perseverance, friendship, and self-expression. This literary journey has sparked thoughtful conversations and deepened the children’s appreciation for storytelling.

Thank You to Our Parent Community
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the parents who were able to join us for classroom observations and parent conferences. It’s always a pleasure to welcome you into our learning environment, where you can witness firsthand the Montessori philosophy in action and collaborate on your child’s holistic learning journey. Your support is invaluable to us, and we look forward to many more opportunities to share the joys of our classroom with you.

We look forward to the exciting adventures the next two weeks will bring!

Until next time,

Toby, Chris and the Aikya Children