Blog: News & Annoucements

September/October 2023

The Toddler Community Program is off to a great start as September comes to a close. Daily the children are exploring, repeating activities and developing/practicing new skills. Exploration, repetition, and order are just a few of our natural human tendencies that are basic qualities of all humans. Children need to be able to use their natural tendencies in order to adapt and construct themselves. In order for children to accomplish their natural tendencies successfully they need safe environments in which to explore. For the young child, order allows the child to create him/herself and orient him/herself to all the information that is being absorbed. For the young child external order creates internal order. Montessori said, “Education is an aid to life.” Everything in the classroom is designed to aid and support the child in his/her natural growth and development.

The children have become familiar with our basic routines of transitioning to school, having snacks together, pouring a drink, toileting and exploring materials. Since having two toddler classrooms, it really is busy in the best of ways?

Supporting Development of Confidence and Independence at home:

Practical life activities are activities that we do daily and the young child will show interest in doing. They can help build independence and confidence at a young age. These are some activities your child can do with you at home- first show your child how to do them and allow them to perform the task. Efficiency is not the child’s focus! The young child is process driven, rather than results driven so keep this in mind when you are doing tasks together:

Scrubbing vegetables
Dusting
Sweeping with dustpan and broom
Setting the table- one dish at a time. Adult puts out everything the child needs at his/her level
Sponging off table
Wiping table with small spray bottle with water and a small towel
Putting away toys
Sorting laundry
Gardening/Weeding
Watering plants (use small watering can and move plants to sink or mat on floor first so as not to damage furniture)
Washing dishes
Helping to load dishwasher