Keeping it Calm for the Holidays

Holidays can sometimes cause more stress than actual cheer. We get so caught up in trying to make this a special time for our children, that sometimes we overdo it. Some of the things we tend to go overboard with are tiring shopping excursions, infinite parties, sugary treats, and mountains of toys, gadgets, and clothes!  Remember, sometimes less is more. Young children can only handle so much that's new and exciting without a meltdown occurring.

 

1.  Try to keep their daily routine as normal as possible...they need their sleep and well balanced diet.

 

2.  Pick 1 or 2 holiday events as to which to go, and savor each experience as a family. Maybe try a new volunteer or charitable activity to show your children giving in ways you could never explain.

 

3.  Finally, plan ahead for some quiet family time. Create a spirit of togetherness and experience the peaceful feelings of the holidays.  Playing games as a family, reading books together or building legos are just a few ideas.

 

 

Stitching it Up With Room 3

Hello from Room 5

This past month our class has been discussing Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. 

Ms. Klingel gave a great presentation on The First Thanksgiving.  She brought in many native american items that she has collected over the years.  The children are able to take them to a work rug and try on native american jewerly, moccasins, and leather garments.

We've been practing our songs for Grandparents / Special Friends Day too.  Ask your child to sing some of our Thanksgiving songs adn finger plays.



Gobble, Gobble
A turkey is a funny bird
His head goes wobble, wobble.
He knows just one word--
Gobble, gobble, gobble!

Do the Turkey Hop

Do the turkey hop,

Do the turkey run,

Do the turkey gobble.

Now flap your wings like the turkeys do,

Then run from the farmer before he catches you!

 

 

Thanksgiving Time

Thanksgiving time is here

Let's clap our hands and give a cheer

for food and friends and family--

Thanksgiving time is here!

Submitted by: Donna Rockafellow

Geography Explosion in Room 3

The geography curriculum in a Montessori Early Childhood classroom allows the child to see the world in an ever expanding way. The child begins to become aware of physical differences on our planet through work with the land and water forms.



Land Forms: Island & Lake

 

The sandpaper globe shows the child that the Earth is made up of land and water. Then the painted globe shows the seven continents.

 



 

The children manipulate the wooden puzzle maps of; the world, each of the continents, and the United States. In doing so they learn the shapes and sizes of the different countries and states and then eventually the names associated with them.

 

The children can use the puzzle maps as a guide when making their own maps, by tracing and coloring them. 





 



 

 





 All this hands-on experience helps the children understand just how large our globe is. As they begin to learn about different cultures around the world they will hopefully embrace it's wonderful diversity.

 

Submitted by: Lindsay Turner

Welcoming Peace

Each school year brings with it a wonderful variety of holidays, celebrations and traditions from a world of cultures.  At The Montessori Academy we take pride in having more than 25 different countries represented in our community and this rich diversity gives us the ideal opportunity to create awareness and embrace the value holidays holds for each one of us. Families are encouraged to share their culture and traditions in the classrooms and at the end of the school year our celebrations culminate into the International Festival – a special time set aside for sampling foods, wearing native costumes and engaging in activities which highlight traditions from around the world.

 

While we know that holidays help us to honor our heritages and establish a shared bond among groups of people, we also know that the excitement that surrounds them can often distract and create a sense internal chaos especially in the young child.  In a Montessori classroom, though the excitement of the holidays is acknowledged, there is intentional restraint from generating any additional excitement for the children and perpetuating fantasy.  Halloween costumes are not worn, Santa doesn’t visit and the Easter Bunny doesn’t deliver baskets with chocolate eggs. In our classrooms it is important for us to keep our day-to-day routines stable, thereby offering the children a place of calm and peace – a respite to feel centered away from the hustle and bustle that assaults them from every direction.

At this time when excitement for the holidays increases with each passing day, please join with us as one school community to work together to keep The Montessori Academy a place of welcome peace for our students.

Submitted by: Deborah Drendall, Head of School

Soccer Shots Week #5