Falling in Love with Fall

The toddlers of Celeste have greatly enjoyed getting to celebrate Fall during the month of October. 

The month brought the chance for the toddlers to explore pumpkins in many different fashions.  This included painting them, hammering golf tees into them, feeling the textures both inside and out, as well as carving a Jack-O-Lantern out of a large pumpkin. 

Thank you to all of the parents who made these activities possible with the classroom donations of pumpkins and gourds.  October also brought colder temperatures and the opportunity for the children to work on the self-help skills of bundling up to go outside.  October also wouldn't feel complete without the Annual HarvestFest in which many toddlers could be seen wearing their costumes as they collected prizes and goodies at the different activities.  It's always a special treat to get to spend this time as a community celebrating with one another.  Thank you to everyone who came out to the event!

In November, the toddlers of Celeste will continue their work with new sensory materials to explore, as well as more flower arranging. The work of arranging flowers is such a special task, as it affords the toddler's the chance to contribute something beautiful to our classroom setting.  There's nothing like seeing their face as they pour the water into the funnel, put their flowers in the vase, and then get to choose a special spot for their flowers on a shelf.  Lots of language happens about the colors and smells that the flowers bring to Celeste. 

November is also a time that we like to take the chance and focus on some Grace and Courtesy skills.  For toddlers this means making these concepts more concrete for them and giving them the chance to serve snack to one another, help set tables for their friend's lunches, and using language that is peaceful and calm with one another.  These are all skills that can also be worked on at home, and help to bridge home and school together. 

A few more events for the month of November will be having a story teller come for a visit, as well as a parent education night to help explain the basics of Montessori and give parents the chance to discuss questions they may have.  

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