Dear Chai Tots Families,
As we head into our final weeks before summer, our classroom is full of so much movement, growth, and confidence. We are focusing heavily on gross motor development and supporting each child where they are. Our older friends are practicing walking by pushing carts and stable materials around the classroom, learning how to safely crawl up and down steps, and beginning to explore the playground equipment outside. Our younger friends are working on reaching for toys that are just out of reach, pulling up and cruising along furniture, and beginning to feed themselves with utensils during meals at the table. It’s been so special watching each child challenge themselves as they gain more independence and confidence in movement.
We’re also spending lots of time outdoors enjoying the warm weather and connecting with nature together. The babies have loved watching the birds visit our bird feeder, feeling grass and mulch beneath their feet, and taking walks outside together. Outdoor time offers so many opportunities for sensory exploration, language development, and peaceful observation of the world around them. Inside the classroom, we’re continuing to work on elongating concentration with different works and materials, especially enjoying in-and-out works right now as the babies practice focus, coordination, and repetition.
For language development, we’re continuing to build communication skills through sign language. Our younger friends are practicing the signs for “please” and “more,” while our older friends are beginning to use signs like “thank you” and “sit,” as well as combining signs together into simple phrases like “more please.” We love these moments of connection and communication and are so proud of how much the children have grown this year.
It has been such a gift to watch them learn, build relationships, gain confidence, and develop a love of learning together. We love them dearly and feel so grateful to have shared this year with your sweet babies.
-Morah Kenzie and Morah Leslie