Infants Peek at the Week 11.24.25

Dear Chai Tots Parents,

Thanksgiving week is here! This short week, we will be finishing up crafts to celebrate the holiday. Gratitude is a central theme in Judaism and one that we regularly encourage as Montessorians. All classrooms will be discussing gratitude. We will model expressing three things for which we are thankful, while helping our friends to find examples in their own lives and express it. 

In the Montessori environment, gratitude is a key component of peace education, and grace and courtesy exercises. Beginning in our infant room, children are encouraged to use sign language for please and thank you, and encouraged to tidy up and put away materials. In the toddler and 3-6 environment, we model saying “excuse me,” as well as how to walk around others’ works. Grace and Courtesy lessons are offered naturally throughout our work periods so that children have the tools to gracefully move about their environments and are equipped with the phrasing to use when life inevitably bumps into them! 

Our 3-6 students will be cooking together in the classroom this week. One item on the menu is corn. The cultivation of corn was an important agricultural contribution made by Native peoples. It is almost universally liked by all kids too! 

As adults, we reflect on the meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday with warmth, remembering that, historically, this day brought peace and cooperation to Wampanoag and the English. We wish all of our Chai Tots families a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday, and want you all to know that we are grateful for you and your precious children!

Warm and cozy Thanksgiving wishes,

Chai Tots Morahs

Infants Peek at the Week 11.17.25

Dear Families,

This week in our infant class, we’re focusing on supporting all the exciting gross motor growth that’s happening right now. As the babies’ needs change and their bodies get stronger, we’re giving them lots of time and space to practice new movements. Some are working on rolling with more intention, others are beginning to crawl or pull up, and some are perfecting their sitting balance. These moments of practice help them build confidence, body awareness, and the coordination they need as they move toward their next milestones.

We’re watching closely to see what each child is ready for and offering materials and environments that meet them right where they are. Low shelves, soft mats, and open spaces allow them to explore safely and independently. We talk them through their movements, cheer on their efforts, and give them the time they need to try again. As each baby strengthens their muscles and discovers what their body can do, they’re also building focus, problem-solving skills, and a sense of accomplishment.

It’s been so sweet seeing their determination, excitement, and pride as they master new skills. We love supporting each little one through these important stages and feel so grateful to be part of their growth. Watching them move, explore, and push themselves a little further each week is such a gift.

-Morah Kenzie and Morah Leslie 

Infants Peek at the Week 11.03.25

Happy November!

This week in our infant class, we’re beginning to see the sweetest signs of friendship. Leslie and I have been delighted to watch as the babies have started to notice and enjoy each other’s company — reaching out to touch a friend’s hand, watching one another play, and smiling or babbling in response. Even at this young age, these early connections are so important. Social interaction helps babies learn empathy, communication, and awareness of others. It also gives them a sense of belonging and comfort as they begin to understand that they’re part of a little community.

We’re spending time bonding not only with the babies individually, but also as a group. Consistency with caregivers, routines, and familiar faces helps each child feel secure and confident to explore and engage. We’re practicing working together in small ways — waiting for a turn, watching a friend’s movement, or listening during a song — learning what it means to share space and connect with others.

We’ve also been practicing name recognition by pointing to each friend and saying their names, as well as pointing to the babies’ reflections in the mirror and identifying them. It’s such a joy watching them light up as they begin to recognize familiar faces, both their own and their friends’.

We love these little ones so much and feel so lucky to watch them grow, change, and discover new things each week.

-Morah Kenzie and Morah Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 10.20.25

Happy Monday!

This week in Alef, we’ll be exploring the textures of fall! The babies will get to use their senses to explore crunchy leaves within our classroom. They will have the chance to use their hands (and hopefully not mouths!) to explore the different ways the leaves feel, look, and sound. We’ll roll, crinkle, and tap the leaves to listen to all the sounds they make. It’s such a simple but beautiful way for the babies to use their senses and connect with the world around them.

We will enjoy nature walks in the stroller to observe nature and find the perfect leaves to add to our basket for class. Once back at school, we can use our leaves to create beautiful process art, focusing on the experience rather than the product. 

There will be lots of movement, too. The children will crawl, reach, and scoot from one work to the next, strengthening their bodies as they follow what interests them most. Some will stop to study one texture for a while, while others will move quickly from one to another, taking it all in.

It’s going to be such a cozy, calm week — full of exploration, movement, and those small moments of wonder that make this season feel so special.

-Morah Kenzie and Morah Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 10.13.25

Hello Alef parents,

This week in our infant class we will continue exploring Sukkot through hands-on, sensory-rich experiences. The babies will visit the sukkah and enjoy outdoor time exploring nature. Back inside, we will spend time exploring leaves, twigs and small branches—feeling the rough and smooth textures, watching how the branches moved when tapped on the floor, and noticing the different colors of the leaves.

We will offer trays of leaves, sticks, and branches for the babies to push, roll, bang together, and move around. We will listen to the crunching sounds the leaves make in our hands and compare it to the sound the sticks and twigs make in our hands and on the floor. Books about Sukkot give us another way to experience the holiday, with the infants gazing at the colorful pictures and listening to the rhythm of the words.

Alongside our holiday play, we continue practicing important milestones—crawling, sitting independently, and strengthening muscles through movement. It is a week full of discovery, texture, and cozy fall fun as we celebrate Sukkot together.

Chag Sameach! 

-Morah Kenzie and Morah Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 10.06.25

Happy October! 

In Alef, we will be celebrating Sukkot with lots of hands-on exploration! We’ll start with a nature walk to gather leaves, sticks, and branches. The babies will have the chance to feel the textures, watch how they move, and help us collect materials to build our own little sukkah in the classroom.

Our art and sensory experiences will also tie into the holiday. We’ll be painting with leaves and branches, letting the children notice the different shapes and marks they make. The natural items will also be used for sensory play, giving the babies time to explore with their hands and see how these pieces of nature can be used in different ways.

Throughout the week we’ll read simple books about Sukkot to introduce the holiday in a gentle and engaging way. Alongside our holiday fun, we’ll also be practicing important developmental skills—working on sitting independently, crawling, and building strength through lots of movement and play.

It will be a special week filled with new experiences, creativity, and milestones as we celebrate Sukkot together.

-Morah Leslie and Morah Kenzie

Infants Peek at the Week 09.29.25

Hello Alef Families,

This week, the infants have been captivated by the rolling rattle. As they bat at or push the rattle, it rolls just slightly out of reach, encouraging them to reach, pivot, and eventually crawl.

The soft sound of the rattle provides instant feedback, building both curiosity and concentration. For our some, this work is a chance to practice grasping and tracking with their eyes, while others are beginning to chase after it with determination. It’s a wonderful material for building persistence and joy in movement.

It has been such a joy to watch each child engage in their own way. Every day brings new milestones and discoveries, and we’re so proud of all the growth we see!

Gmar Chasima Tova, May we be sealed for a good sweet year!

– Morahs Kenzie and Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 09.15.25

Hello Alef Families,

This week in our infant class we’ve been preparing for Rosh Hashanah with lots of apple and bee fun! The babies explored red and yellow in so many different ways. We stamped apples wrapped in bubble wrap to make bright prints, and they loved watching the colors show up on the paper. We also used ziplock bags filled with paint so the little ones could squish, pat, and push the colors around with their hands without getting messy.

The apples themselves were a big hit, too. We rolled them across the floor and on trays of water, which made them spin, splash, and wobble around. Some babies were all about the splashing, while others preferred just holding and feeling the apples. We even painted by dipping the apples into paint and stamping them to see the fun shapes they made.

Our apple and bee theme carried into music time, too! We sang silly songs, buzzed like bees, and bounced along together. The babies loved hearing the familiar words and rhythms while moving their bodies to the music.

As always, it is a joy to watch each child engage in their own way. Every day brings new milestones and discoveries, and we’re so proud of all the growth we see!

– Morahs Kenzie and Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 09.08.25

Hello Alef Families,

This week, we’ve been spending time exploring a staple Montessori material in the infant room —the interlocking discs. These beautiful, smooth wooden discs are passed from one hand to the other, helping babies strengthen their grasp, improve coordination, and begin to cross the midline of their body. For many infants, this is also one of the first steps toward intentional rolling! As the discs roll slightly out of reach, babies are motivated to move after them. Younger friends enjoy holding and mouthing the discs, while older babies are beginning to chase after them with determination!

Alongside this work, we’ve continued to enjoy tummy time, songs, and plenty of one-on-one bonding moments.

Each child is showing more of their personality each day, and it’s been so much fun watching them explore!

-Morahs Kenzie and Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 09.02.25

Hello Alef Families,

It has been such a joy to see the babies grow more comfortable in our classroom each day. Our room is beginning to feel like a little community, with each child finding their rhythm and making exciting discoveries in their own way.

This week, our younger infants have been exploring the Montessori bell cylinder. This simple wooden cylinder has a bell inside that jingles as the babies push or roll it. At this age, it encourages reaching, grasping, and eventually crawling after the toy as it rolls just out of reach. It also introduces the idea of cause and effect—when they move it, it makes a sound! The babies are delighted by the gentle jingling, and it keeps them engaged while strengthening their coordination and curiosity.

Alongside this work, we’ve continued to support motor development through tummy time and rolling. Our older babies are also practicing feeding themselves with utensils, while our younger friends enjoy watching and listening to their peers. Each day we get to see more smiles, hear more babbles, and notice more of those wonderful little milestones. It has been such a pleasure getting to know each child’s personality and to share these moments of growth with them.

– Morahs Kenzie and Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 08.25.25

Hello Alef  Families,

We’re off to a wonderful start in our classroom! Montessori at this age focuses on nurturing independence, curiosity, and sensory exploration, which lays the foundation for lifelong learning. As we begin our school year, we’ve been taking the time to get to know each child, while they get to know us, and to find the rhythm and flow of our classroom together.

The babies have been enjoying process art, sensory play, and gross motor activities, as well as interacting socially with their peers. Some examples of our Montessori works we have been enjoying include exploring textured fabrics, practicing grasping and reaching for objects, and strengthening our muscles through independent and guided tummy time. Our returning classmates are also working on increasing their concentration and fine motor skills through activities like stacking blocks, opening and closing containers, and practicing simple self-care tasks.

A favorite work with our returning infants has been the object permanence box. This work helps develop hand-eye coordination, cause-and-effect understanding, and focus. Our younger friends enjoy observing this work in action and listening to the sounds, which supports their attention and curiosity as well.

We are enjoying every moment of snuggling, caring for, and bonding with your little ones, and it’s been so much fun discovering their unique personalities as we learn and grow together.

-Morahs Kenzie and Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 08.18.25

Hello Alef Families,

Welcome to a brand-new school year! We hope everyone had a wonderful summer and are as excited as we are to start this year of exploration, learning, and growth in our infant classroom. We are looking forward to getting to know each child and celebrating the unique ways they explore and develop.

In a Montessori infant classroom, you’ll see babies exploring materials designed to develop their senses, motor skills, and independence. Activities might look simple, but each one has a purpose: reaching for and grasping objects, exploring textures, practicing movements, or observing cause and effect. Introducing Montessori at this early stage encourages confidence, concentration, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. 

Using the Montessori approach, we aim to nurture each child’s development while respecting their individuality. Through observation, gentle guidance, thoughtful materials, and supportive and intentional interactions, we strive to guide each baby as they grow in their own way and at their own pace.

We’re so excited for a school year full of discovery and growth with your little ones!

-Morahs Kenzie and Leslie

Infants Peek at the Week 05/19/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

It’s hard to believe this is the last week of the school year! 

This year, our little ones have been busy! Exploring sensory textures from soft fabrics to smooth wood, they've delighted in discovering the world through touch. They have refined their motor skills– reaching, grasping, rolling to crawling, and first steps– their bodies have grown stronger and more coordinated. Their communication has blossomed from babbles and coos to first words and phrases. Through it all, with smiles, giggles, and playtime, they've formed friendships that will continue to grow! 

Your children have made tremendous developmental progress during the school year. We have enjoyed watching them grow and learn.

Looking forward to a fun-filled summer together!

Morahs Marla, Leslie and Sarah F.


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

The last week of school… the closing of one door and the opening of another. We want to thank each child for all the warmth, the memories, and the learning that we have shared this school year. To the parents, thank you for allowing us to be your children's Morahs. It has been a wonderful and rewarding year, full of growth.

We are excited, exhausted, and nostalgic all at the same time. All the feels today!

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel" - Maya Angelou

We are looking forward to a fun-filled summer together! More learning and growing to come! 

Morahs Pallavi, Rachael, and Kathy

Infants Peek at the Week 05/12/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

We all hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. The children had a great time getting messy and making beautiful keepsake Mother’s Day crafts.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you for the thoughtful gifts and treats during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your generosity and kind gestures made us feel so appreciated and valued. It means the world to us to know we have such supportive and caring families in our community.

Friday, May 16 is Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer. Chai Tots will have a Field Day for the older classes, but the infants will also have fun with games and outdoor activities. It is a commemoration of the passing of Reb Shimon Bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar. It is also a celebration of the end of a plague on Rabbi Akiva’s student's.

Also Sunday is our End of the Year Trike-A-Thon! Strollers are welcome! We hope to see you there.

Please remember to send sunscreen for your child. There are also kid-friendly insect repellents available. We will be spending time outside! Buzz Away (sold at Whole Foods) is a possibility.

Have a wonderful week!

Morahs Marla, Leslie and Sarah F.


OLDER INFANTS:Dear Parents,

Dear Parents,

As we approach our final weeks of the school year, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude.

First, thank you so much for taking the time to visit our annual Art Show last week. It was such a joy to see you admire your little one's beautiful creations and celebrate their budding artistry. Your presence truly made the event special for both the children and us.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you for the thoughtful gifts and treats during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your generosity and kind gestures made us feel so appreciated and valued. It means the world to us to know we have such supportive and caring families in our community.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your child's journey this year and cherish the growth and discoveries we've shared together.

Lag B’Omer, a celebration of unity, will be held this Friday with a super fun field day program. We will have a exciting and active day!

Also Sunday is our End of the Year Trike-A-Thon! Strollers, Trikes and Bikes welcome! We hope to see you there.

Warmly,

Morahs Pallavi, Rachael, and Kathy

Infants Peek at the Week 05/05/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

Greetings from the Infants’ Room. Happy first birthday to our Ezra R. We are winding down our school year with lots of fun. The weather has been lovely on most days, so we are enjoying the outdoors.

Children are getting ready for Mothers Day, May 11, by creating crafts and cards for our beloved Moms.

It has been a year of tremendous growth. Your children have been developing fine motor (e.g., self-feeding, coloring) and gross motor (e.g. crawling, standing and walking) skills at a fast pace.

From one day to the next the children have new abilities. They have been gaining vocabulary as well. Their attention spans are longer, so they can listen to short books.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us.

Morahs Sara, Marla and Leslie


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

Thank you for celebrating our creative endeavors last week at the Art Show. We really enjoyed watching families view and admire all the beautiful pieces.

Back in the classroom, we are sticking to routine as much as possible, as well as getting out to enjoy the outdoors. Whether we are inside or out, we employ the Montessori philosophy of "follow the child.” This means we follow each child’s development, interests, needs, and abilities. Though we follow the child in many regards, we are ultimately their guide and not the other way around. Rather than give young children free rein, we give them freedom within limits.

Offering freedom within limits provides a comfortable balance between an overly structured environment and a chaotic one. What does freedom within limits mean? It means setting clear expectations and ground rules ahead of time, and following through. It means making and sticking to (flexible) routines. It means a secure, loving, and trusting relationship between child and adult. It also means providing age-appropriate choices and opportunities for self-mastery and independence. 

Choices for our children in our older infant community include: 

  • Limited, and carefully selected materials on the shelf

  • A low countertop so water bottles are within reach 

    • A lunch plate with several foods, but no alternatives after the fact

    • Option to choose which adult to help them with toileting or completing a task

    • Option to clean up a mess independently or together

    • At home, you could incorporate the option to choose a sequence of events rather than the event itself (e.g., brush teeth before or after bath, but both are happening either way

Setting clear expectations is a key component of “freedom within limits.” We focus on safety. We try to phrase things in the positive, and focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t. For example:

  • - Water stays in the sink or the cup. We can splash in the water table (in the bathtub at home).

  • - We work (or sit) at the table. The Pikler triangle is for climbing.

  • - We keep our plate on the table when we are eating. We can carry our plate to the counter when we are done.

  • - Books are handled with care. If we want to throw, we can throw bean bags or balls.

  • - We are kind to our friends. We can give hugs.

What happens when expectations are not met? Natural consequences. Once a rule has been broken, we usually give one “try again” opportunity and then follow through with a natural consequence. For example, if someone dumps water on the floor, we remind, “Water stays in the sink.” If it happens for the second time, “All done at the sink,” and we remove the water source for the time being. If someone pushes another child, we first check on whoever was pushed, and invite the pusher to do the same. We remind, “Gentle hands” and provide an alternative, “If you want to push, you can push this cart.” If pushing continues, we create separation and help the child to move his/ her body away.

We often use the words “I can’t let you _______. I need to keep you safe. We can _______ instead.” For example, “I see you want to climb on the table. I can’t let you climb there. I need to keep you safe. Let’s climb on the Pikler triangle instead.” If the child doesn’t respond or change his/ her behavior, then we have to physically help. We acknowledge the child’s frustration and desire, but don’t budge on the rules. We don’t have a lot of rules to begin with, but the ones we have are set up for everyone’s safety, and we make sure we follow through on those. 

We hope this gives you a glimpse into our behavioral management philosophy of “freedom within limits,” and possible ways in which you can incorporate in your own home. 

“To let the child do as he likes when he has not yet developed any powers of control is to betray the idea of freedom.” — Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Wishing you a melodic and peaceful week!

Morahs Rachael, Kathy, Pallavi

Infants Peek at the Week 04/28/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

Hello families!

This is going to be an action-packed week for your babies. Yom Haatzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) starts the evening of April 30 – May 1. Children will do an Israeli Flag coloring page, listen to and sing along with songs in Hebrew and read a story called Shmulik Paints the Town.

The Art Show is on May 1. We are putting our finishing touches on various fun art works to display. There has been enormous growth in fine motor skills this year, and our exhibit will reflect your child’s ongoing development. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Once again, expect your child to spend time outdoors. If you haven’t already, please send sunscreen for us to re-apply in the afternoon. They should come to school with sunscreen already applied. Please also send appropriate spare clothing for the spring weather. Messy kids are happy kids!

Have a great week!

Morahs Sarah, Marla and Leslie


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

Our classroom is flowing so nicely this time of year, with routines established for all the parts of our day. Our days have many activities, which are linked together with transitions. During each transition— from the Big Room to the classroom or from morning work cycle to lunchtime, we often use music as a cue that a change is happening. 

Transitions can be difficult for young kids. When we're moving from activity to activity or from place to place, a child may be in the middle of something and may not have gotten quite enough advance notice that a transition or change is happening. A song can prepare children to go through that change successfully. Of course, we still want to give them as much advance notice as possible, but a song can also serve as that gentle reminder & “timer” before they transition to something else.

One song that has brought a lovely sense of calm to our classroom is "See the Bunnies Sleeping." The gentle beginning helps to create a peaceful atmosphere after lunch, signaling a shift towards rest. The "wake up" part then allows for a natural release of energy as we settle into toileting and nap time. It’s wonderful to see the children respond to the different tempos and movements of the song! 

At home, you may already incorporate music and singing as part of your daily routines, but if not, give it a try. Cick here to view an article about using music and songs to create a peaceful bedtime routine. 

Wishing you a melodic and peaceful week!

Morahs Rachael, Kathy, Pallavi

Infants Peek at the Week 04/21/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! We hope you all had a marvelous Pesach. The babies are getting re-accustomed to Chai Tots and truly enjoying the weather.

We are busy with our Annual Art Show preparations as well. Infants work on fine motor skills while creating fun “art.” At this age, art is about the process, not the product. Children are exposed to different media, colors and textures. Parents will be able to observe changes in development of skills as we are displaying works from each month. At the Art Show, you will be able to view your child’s work and see how much progress children make as they become toddlers and 3-6 students.

Expect the babies to spend time outdoors, If you haven’t already, please send sunscreen for us to re-apply in the afternoon. They should come to school with sunscreen already applied.

Please also send appropriate spare clothing for the spring weather. Messy kids are happy kids.

Have a great week!

Morahs Sarah, Marla and Leslie


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to our infant community this week! We hope you all had a peaceful and enjoyable Pesach.

As we settle back into our routine, we will be continuing to explore the new fine motor works on our shelves during morning and afternoon work times. Scissor work was introduced to some of the children during the week before Pesach. We discovered the looped scissors to work best. The handles of these scissors are connected which makes holding and squeezing the handles easier for small hands. This is a challenging task, and one that we will lead them through, using their interest as our guide.

Sometimes during the work cycles, we observe behaviors that signal to us to change course. Pushing others, throwing works, and loud screeching– sometimes there is limitless energy! In some cases, it may be a child’s way of signaling that they are feeling overloaded or seeking sensory stimulation. Engaging children in ‘heavy work’ activities can be a great way to channel this energy and calm the mind by giving children a sense of purpose. 

This week, we will continue to offer opportunities for heavy work in the classroom. You might see your little ones pushing small carts filled with heavy items, carrying a weighted sandbag, or transporting paint jugs across the room. Other heavy work activities that we include each day are bean bag toss, wheelbarrow walking, and crawling. Yes, crawling is beneficial to kids even after they start walking! These exercises all provide sensory feedback that kids may be craving when we see them push a friend or throw a toy. The more opportunities we give for heavy work, the less opportunity for undesirable behaviors!

‘Heavy work’ is any activity that involves pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying. These movements provide significant benefits for infants and toddlers, including:

  • Proprioceptive Input and Body Awareness: Deep pressure and sensory input to the muscles and joints; Better awareness of their body in space, which is crucial for coordination, balance, and motor planning. 

  • Self-Regulation: Calming for the nervous system. Release excess energy in a constructive way, leading to greater focus and a more regulated emotional state. Helpful during transitions or when a child is feeling a bit restless.

  • Muscle Development: Strengthen gross motor skills and build muscle strength, which are foundational for independence.

  • Sense of Contribution: Carrying, transporting, and delivering items can foster a sense of competence and contribution within the classroom community.

The benefits of moving their bodies in these intentional ways is evident in their longer length of focus and emotional regulation afterward.We observe each child carefully to ensure the heavy work activities are appropriate for their individual developmental stage and abilities.

We look forward to a wonderful week of learning and growth with your children!

Morahs Rachael, Kathy, Pallavi

Infants Peek at the Week 04/07/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

Your children are busy learning and growing. We are preparing for Pesach by reading board books, singing songs and creating crafts such as Do-A-Dot frogs. We will be decorating Afikomen bags to take home.

We are also enjoying the changes springtime brings. We spend time outside to enjoy the warmer temperatures, spring blossoms and bird activity.

It's great fun to talk with your children back and forth,  "serve and return." It's an important step in speech development.

Please send extra clothing suitable for the season. Apply sunscreen in the morning at home. If you send in sunscreen for your child, we will reapply in the afternoon. Be sure to sign our green authorization form for sunscreen. 

Have a Happy and a Kosher Pesach. "Chag Kosher V'Sameach."

Morahs Sarah, Marla and Leslie


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents,

Pesach is approaching! We are getting into the holiday spirit with various activities. We have an abundance of frogs! Frogs in our songs, frog puppets nibbling our toes, rubber frogs in the sensory bin, and frogs are flying through the air as we bounce them on the parachute. Try singing the “One Morning” song; lyrics below, or click the link for a video presentation of the song. 

New works on the shelf this week include language and fine motor materials. Some friends are drawn to the language works, especially the mini objects or small figurines of animals with matching cards: bears (polar bear, grizzly bear, black bear) and assorted animals (cow, cat, chimpanzee, lion, etc). The addition of a matching card is a new challenge in this language work. We also have parts of the body cards and self care items (bar of soap, scrub brush, sponge) in a basket.

Mini objects are integral to Montessori language curriculum. At around 18 months, toddlers enter the sensitive period for small objects which will last until around 3-4 years-old. During this time, they develop an intense love of tiny things. This sensitive period is an important stage. It allows toddlers to take pleasure in exercising very fine motor movements. As they get older, mini objects provide a concrete representation of language, making abstract concepts like words and grammar more accessible for young learners. 

Other friends prefer the new fine motor materials that fall within the Psycho-sensory component of the curriculum. We have a new lacing work that invites little hands to push and pull a wooden spindle through various holes, much like sewing. There are new, upright puzzles that give a new spin on spatial awareness and positioning: a three-dowelled material with six rings of various sizes and a two-dowelled, vertical bee shaped puzzle. One advantage to all these materials is that they can be manipulated in more than one way. Toys that offer multiple uses, also known as open-ended toys, encourage creativity, problem-solving, and imagination, allowing children to engage in diverse play scenarios and develop valuable skills. 

“One Morning” 

One morning when Pharaoh awoke in his bed, 
There were frogs in his bed, 
And frogs on his head! 
Frogs on his nose, and frogs on his toes! 
Frogs here, frogs there. 
Frogs were jumping everywhere.
Preschool Passover Song | Frogs Here, Frogs There | One Morning by Shirley Cohen Steinberg

Reminder: This week we will have an observer present for a couple of days. Morah Kathy is completing her Montesori infant-toddler student teaching, and her instructor will be here during that week.

Have a great week and a Happy Pesach!

Morahs Rachael, Kathy, Pallavi

Infants Peek at the Week 03/31/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

Dear Parents, 

Wow! It really is spring. We’ve noticed cherry blossoms and pear trees in bloom. Birds are very busy this time of year, and we see a variety of birds at our classroom feeder. Leaves are appearing. Children are naturally interested in nature, so it’s fun to point out what we see outside. 

Pesach (Passover) starts April 12, so we will be reading books, singing songs and doing crafts in honor of the holiday. Favorite songs are “Frogs Are Jumping Everywhere” and “Dayyenu,” a song from the Haggadah about gratitude to Hashem. 

We have several Pesach board books from the library. These books introduce the various ritual items used on Pesach. We use both Hebrew and English words for the items. For example, here is a list of items on a seder plate:

Zeroa – Shankbone

Maror and Chazeret – Bitter herbs

Beitzah – egg

Charoset – a pastelike combination of apples, nuts and wine

Karpas – vegetable

Chabad.org is an excellent source for information about the Seder Plate and Pesach in general.

We are also getting ready for the Art Show. The children will continue to do arts and crafts activities based on the theme of color. 

Thank you for sharing your children with us.

Morahs Sarah, Marla and Leslie


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents, 

Have you heard the birds chirping outside lately? Have you heard your little ones chirping inside? They are finding their voices! At school we observe they like to chirp in chorus sometimes. One child makes a high pitched screech, and others mimic. It becomes too loud, so we intervene. Do we use an even louder voice so they can hear us? No, we use a lower pitched voice. In this way we lead by example. Whispering, “Let’s use a quiet voice inside.”

This week we will focus on grace and courtesy lessons. Grace and courtesy is a component of the Montessori curriculum that focuses on how to be a good citizen. Skills we will encourage and model this week include: 

  • Using a quiet voice indoors 

  • Saying “please” and “thank you”

  • Greeting others and saying goodbye

  • Offering others a turn when you’re done playing

Modeling by example is the best way for older infants and young toddlers to learn. As Morahs, we say please and thank you to each other and to the children in a deliberate manner knowing the children are always closely watching. Many of our young friends are now saying “please” and “thank you,” while others use sign language (please = rubbing a flat hand in circular motion on chest, thank you = flat hand touches chin and extends outward). 

These lessons are informal and usually done in the moment in the infant community: frequent and repetitive mini-lessons, with minimal words and more showing versus saying. Having patience as we wait for a turn with a work/ material/ toy is a learned skill. We acknowledge their desire, “ I understand you want a turn. Soon,” and “That’s Robert’s work.” We guide the waiting child to a different work until it is his/ her turn. Slowly, but surely, our little ones’ capacity to wait grows longer!

During the week of April 7th, we will have an observer present for a couple of days. Morah Kathy is completing her Montesori infant-toddler student teaching, and her instructor will be here during that week. 

We are grateful to you for sharing your baby birds with us as they find their voices, patience, and independence each day!

Have a great week!

Morahs Rachael, Kathy, and Pallavi 

Infants Peek at the Week 03/25/25

YOUNG INFANTS:

Dear Parents, 

The infant room babies have been very busy exploring, creating, and developing. Last week we added a new piece of furniture in our room to encourage gross motor exploration– a large set of wooden steps with a platform. Wow, have we observed some amazing movement! Crawling, climbing, and cruising along the piece. The other piece in our room that has been popular lately is the pullup bar. This bar invites the babies to crawl over, kneel, reach, and pull up. The reward is seeing their own image in the mirror above it! Learning to cruise along the bar is excellent strength building practice for learning to walk. Unlike walking a baby around, cruising along the bar is exactly at the child's pace and for the distance they are ready for. 

As they develop their fine and gross motor skills, they will have much more variety in their activities. To encourage fine motor development, please continue to send table foods/ finger foods. Foods like sauteed or steamed veggies, avocado, scrambled eggs, and frozen peas give your baby nutrients, exposure to various textures and flavors, and the opportunity to feed him or herself, rather than be spoon fed. It is such fun to practice using the pincer grasp at mealtimes too! 

We are putting together pieces for the Art Show and starting to learn about Pesach (Passover). Passover starts at night on April 12 and ends at night on April 20. The children will be hearing Passover songs, participating in crafts and having stories about Passover read to them. 

Have a great week!

Morahs Sarah, Marla and Leslie


OLDER INFANTS:

Dear Parents, 

Last week we discussed giving time and space to children to encourage independence and mental toughness, which help build self esteem. This week we want to share with you a phrase we give the children to use when they have attempted a task on their own, and yet still need assistance.  

“Help please” is a simple request the children may say or sign (help = one flat palm facing upward, with the other hand nestled atop in a “thumbs up” position and rising upward). We encourage this phrase when needing assistance with everyday tasks such as squeezing the remainder of a pouch, opening a water bottle, or putting on shoes. We will wait until the child has attempted to do the task on his/ her own before reminding them to say or sign, “Help please.” Try it at home! 

New works alert! On a regular basis we trade out old works for new items. And as the children work toward mastery with certain materials, we add more pieces to a set to increase the level of difficulty. We have added a maraca to our music shelf. Shake, shake, shake!  A new spatula has now joined  the kitchen tools basket. Time to flip pancakes! The land vehicle language cards have been replaced with air vehicles: hot air balloon, airplane, and helicopter. Our sorting work now has two additional cups and balls for an added challenge. And lastly, we’ve added two additional wooden animals to the existing set - a camel and a tortoise have joined lion, zebra, monkey,and giraffe. 

We have observed the children’s own unique personalities and what they each gravitate to in the classroom. Miriam especially enjoys the clay work— rolling and pinching the play doh is so satisfying. Maris and Eliana like to express their creativity painting at the easel- sometimes with two colors, taking care to keep the brushes in the correct jar. Julian tackles the puzzles with determination, maneuvering his hand in different directions to make the pieces fit. Robert is a voracious bookworm who hasn’t yet met a book he doesn’t like! Chana likes to sort the balls into the cups. Such satisfaction when the balls roll perfectly into the cups! Enzo likes to play a variety of musical instruments, dance, and clap his hands with gusto. We have the best community of older infants! 

Have a great week!

Morahs Rachael, Kathy, Pallavi