Toddler Peek at the Week 09.08.25

Hello Toddler Families,

We are excited to have added a few new works in the classroom.  We use observation to determine what works are being used regularly, and what works could be adapted to make them harder or easier depending on the students needs. 

This week, we are happy to have an old favorite, the tzedakah box and buttons!  The children love to hear the clink as the buttons hit the bottom of the box and it helps so much with their fine motor skills as they manipulate the slender button into the narrow opening.  We also added some real clothespins for the children to manipulate and practice their pincer grasp in preparation for writing and scissor work!

This week, our peek is going to focus on something we all have a love-hate relationship with: sleep! 

Toddlers are some of the most fickle and difficult sleepers I know; they also need sleep more than anyone to grow and thrive. We have a pretty great group of sleepers in the toddler room this year, but that didn’t happen by accident; it happened because the toddler Morahs have worked hard to set up a routine and environment that allows for successful sleep. Here’s what we’ve done…

We start thinking about naptime as early as lunchtime. As we sit down to lunch, we close the curtains to the playground to help reduce distractions and allow the children to start calming down. We have a quiet, slow, and deliberate lunch and follow the same steps every day, so they are starting to know what comes next in the day. After lunch, we continue to move and speak quietly and slowly as we set out the cots, help children take off shoes and socks, and change diapers as needed. Morahs are moving around the room, turning off lights, turning on our sleep sounds and closing our curtains.

When the children lie down on their cots, we have them set up in pods so that each child is close to a Morah and so the Morahs can provide support, such as gentle pressure or a pat on the back. We use blackout curtains in the classroom until all the children are asleep, then we slowly open the curtains a little at a time, so their bodies don’t get confused with a long period of total darkness. We know how much daytime sleep can make or break nighttime sleep, so we really value and respect our children’s nap time. We are careful to move around and in and out of the classroom quietly and ask that no visitors come in during this time.

When the children start to wake, we move them outside or into the big room so that the other children can sleep as long as they need to. We remind the children to use quiet voices as they wake to start to show them to respect others' sleep as well.

We hope it is helpful to give you a glimpse of our nap routine. If you have any questions, or want any ideas on how you can tweak your home nap routine, feel free to reach out to us. We would love to chat about it!

Happy napping from all your Toddler Morahs!
Sarah, Megan and K

Toddler Peek at the Week 09.02.25

Happy September, Toddler Families 

As the cooler weather [hopefully] begins to set in, we'd like to explore toilet learning in the Montessori space before we are all dressed in multiple layers!

Believe it or not, all your children are in some stage of toilet training. Whether they are getting a diaper change while another child uses the toilet, sitting on the toilet during their diaper change, or are successfully sitting on and using the toilet, they are all learning a lot about the process every day. 

The basic principles of toilet learning emphasize an appropriate environment, independence, self-directed learning, and respect for the child’s natural development.  Toilet learning is a child-centric approach with the adult offering routine, consistency, and positive reinforcement.  Fostering your child's independence can include ensuring you have a floor or child size potty, allowing your child to witness or imitate you in the bathroom, and teaching the words and phrases related to toileting.  In the classroom we are already working with each child to be able to "push down" and "pull up" their clothes, remove their own diaper facing a mirror, and sitting on the toilet with each change.  

We invite each of your families to find a weekend that would work for your family to begin using underwear/no bottoms and having your toddler sit on the toilet in regular intervals.  The best part is you can send them to school on that Monday in underwear and we will take it from there. Amazingly, the Montessori sensitive period for toileting is 12-18 months of age so we are excited to get started as soon as you are!

In our classroom when we aren't toileting, our children are so beautifully engaged in the work cycles and engaging socially with one another.  We are exploring fine motor strength with 3D stickers, lacing, and paper tearing, cause and effect with in and out work like buttons into a tzedakah box, and language work with magnets, textured leaf puzzles, and animal matching.  

Thank you so much for trusting us with your wonderful toddlers and allowing us the gift of watching them flourish,

Morahs Megan, Sarah, and K

Toddler Peek at the Week 08.25.25

Hello Toddler Families!  

We are starting to get the hang of our routines in the toddler room already and we are so pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and self-sufficient your children are in the classroom space!  Last week we talked about our routine and some of the basic skills we focus on in the first few weeks of school.  This week, we want to focus on something that all toddlers have a special place in their heart for...FOOD!  

Food is such an important part of a toddler's day.  It not only gives them the nourishment they need for their growing body and minds but also allows for:

•  social interaction at the snack and lunch table

• language development when we talk about the foods we eat

• sensory experiences as we touch, taste and smell our food

• opportunities to work on our fine motor skills as they open containers and zip top bags

We eat in a family/community style setup with all the children and Morahs at one big table.  This gives us the opportunity to gather together and share conversations about our food and our day.  We encourage the children to talk about what is in their lunchboxes, compare and contrast and talk about all the colors and textures they can see and feel.  We love this time to bond with them over something familiar and important to them and their families.  It's so much fun to see the different things they bring and hear, "My Mommy made it for me" with so much love and pride in their voices.  

One thing that we are working hard on is independence.  We always help when necessary, but first have the children try themselves and only offer support if they truly cannot do it.  We also focus on showing them HOW to do it, verses doing it for them whenever possible.  There are many lunch and snack containers that are easy to use and great for toddler food.  If you have any questions or need suggestions, feel free to ask!  

Here are some lunch and snack "dos and don'ts":

• DO pack a healthy AM and PM snack in 2 separate labeled containers

• DON'T allow your toddler to pack their leftover mashed birthday cake as their snack

• DO send lots of fruits, veggies and protein 

• DO pack their foods in child friendly containers and bags that are easily opened for independence

• DON'T send containers that require a vice grip or a locksmith to get into

• DO pack a reusable spoon and fork in your child's lunch if needed

• DON'T pack soup and send your child a plastic knife as a utensil  

• DO have fun and enlist your toddler to assist in the packing

• DON'T leave all the packing to your 2 year old!  

Again, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!  By now you should all have at least one parent added to our whatsapp group. This is a great way to contact Morahs as well as ask questions to the group that other parents may have the answers to!  If you need another parent added or would prefer any changes in this communication just ask. 

Thank you for sharing your precious children with us!

Love, 

Morahs Megan, K and Sarah  

Toddler Peek at the Week 08.18.25

Hello and Welcome to the new Beis families!  We are so excited to spend the year growing with your children.  In our first Peek of the year, we'd like to share the details of our day and some of what is vital in the Montessori space.  Our daily schedule is guided by this:

Toddler Beis Daily Routine

8:00-9:00 - Arrival (Hang up backpacks, place lunch, water and snack in bins, enter room and switch to slippers)

9:00-10:00 - Work Cycle (Morning snack open from 9:30-10am)

10:15-10:30 - Davening Mon, Tues, and Thursday; and on Friday - Shabbos Party! (Wednesdays starting in September we will have music with Morah Joanie)

10:15-11:10 - Gross Motor Play

11:20-12:00 - Lunch, toileting, clean up, cots out

12:00-2:30 - Nap

1:30-2:30 - Transition from nap to Gross Motor Play

2:30-3:30 - Afternoon work cycle with snack open

3:30 - School Day Dismissal

3:30-5:30 - After Care

In the Montessori philosophy, The Prepared Environment is the idea that everything has a purpose and a place. Amazingly, this includes the Morahs (and caregivers in a home space). We are considered to be a part of the environment in a child's learning.... quiet and still and available. Each morning we take great pride in guaranteeing your children walk into an environment where every work is complete and everything is in its place. This allows them to be most successful and establish a beautiful sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Our first month is largely focused on several Montessori principles including Care of Self, Care of Environment, and Practical Life.  Our students will begin mastering routines (putting away lunch, snack, and water, putting on slippers), observing as we model Care of the Environment by putting away our work and items, cleaning our tables and under our chairs, Care of Self by washing their hands, wiping their own noses at our tissue table, and allowing them autonomy and patience during toileting. 

Practical Life has already been introduced and will scaffold as the year goes on.  Currently your children are transferring water by sponge, window washing (spray bottle, squeegee, and towel), working with various containers to open and close, as well as all of the practical life around us- socks and shoes, pushing down and pulling up pants, and washing hands. 

As you see this independence grow and stretch at home, let us know about those magical moments! We are here for any questions, conversations, and beautiful updates about your toddlers.  

Thank you for trusting us with your children and allowing us the honor to watch them grow into beautiful citizens of the world.

Warmly,

Morahs Megan, Sarah, and K 

Toddler Peek at the Week 05.19.25

Hello Toddler Families!

As we prepare to end the school year, we wanted to share with you ideas for time at home this summer. Here are a few things that we have worked on in the classroom and shared with you in Peeks throughout the year. In order for your child to continue to grow over the summer and either be ready to join 3-6 or have a great transition back to the toddler classroom, working on these areas will really help with those transitions.  

Continue to allow your children the opportunities to dress and undress themselves whenever possible. We use the language, “push down your pants,” if you want to use the same language. If your child has mastered toileting, allow them to use the toilet in different environments, and continue to practice making sure the pee ends up in the toilet! Give them plenty of reminders about wiping and start to teach them how to wipe after a bowel movement as well.  

Next up, taking care of the environment.  There are so many opportunities to practice this at home, from cleaning up their own space after mealtimes, helping to wash and dry dishes, to helping to fold laundry. We encourage the children to clean up spills and sweep up the floor if they drop food with child sized brooms, dustpans, and rags for little hands so that they can use real tools that work well for their bodies. They can help water plants, work in the garden, or pull weeds.  One of the most important things you can remind them of is cleaning up their own work or toys when they are finished. This helps us so much in the classroom and will make your lives easier as well!  

Finally, working on fine and gross motor skills: Fine motor skills include opening and closing jars, snaps, zippers, etc. Coloring and painting are great practice as well as play-doh and clay. Wooden clothespins to practice pinching open and placing on the edge of a container is great for the pincer grasp-- a vital pre-writing skill! Using rubber bands or hair scrunchies are a great way to practice getting shoes and socks on and off. Gross motor skills are so easy in the summertime such as ride-on toys, the park or playground, walking in the woods, etc.  Climbing, running, and jumping in and out of the pool are more ways to work on these skills.

Lastly... Thank you. Thank you for a school year full of beautiful moments and wonderful laughter and perfectly timed chaos.  Thank you for trusting us with your most treasured tiny humans and allowing us to honor the horme and curious spirit in each one of them.  You gave us the gift of time, exploration, and wonderment with them.  Thank you for creating spaces and time in your homes and in your lives to explore the Montessori philosophy and principles.  What you have honored in them this year will contribute in the most beautiful ways as they grow and change.  Thank you for allowing us to nurture your darling children each and every day.  They have taught us more about life than we ever could have expected.  

Thank you, for the magic of your children and the joy they have brought to our lives. 

With all of our love and gratitude,

Morahs Megan, Sarah, and K

Toddler Peek at the Week 05.12.25

Hello, beautiful toddler families!  

One of the core concepts in Montessori education is Horme.  Horme is identified as "vital energy as an urge to purposive activity." For our purposes, Horme is a term used by Dr. Montessori to describe a quality of the child’s absorbent mind. The horme is within each child and is an “unconscious willpower” that drives them to develop and learn.

When we see a toddler climb on a table, dump out the whole basket of legos, or pour water right on the floor we usually wonder, “Why in the world would they do that?”. These are all great examples of Horme at work. From age 0-3, children are in a stage that we call the unconscious absorbent mind. They are learning things at an incredible rate and are doing so without even trying to do so. Almost every action that a toddler performs is in an effort to learn more about the world around them.  

When we notice children dumping out baskets of work, we may redirect them to our sensory bin where they can find appropriate materials to dump and pour. Water almost always appeals to a child’s sense of horme, so we can provide them opportunities to explore this through water pouring activities, baby washing, car washing and hand washing.  

Next time you find yourself wondering, “Why did they do that?” we can start to ask ourselves, “What are they trying to learn from this?”. Then you can find an appropriate activity to meet that need. Here are a couple of examples:

1. You find your child “playing” with their food. They are likely seeking sensory input that can be attained by allowing your child to help with the preparation of their meals, making edible play-dough and paint and giving them opportunities to both eat with their fingers and use utensils.  

2. Your child is getting out of their bed repeatedly at bed time. This is a sign they are seeking ways to become more independent or that they need activities to help them wind down before bed. You can help them by providing clear boundaries, and also a small basket of soft toys and books that they can use only at bedtime.  

Toddlers can really challenge us at times but when we start to change our perspective to look at what they are trying to learn and absorb, we can give them what they need without compromising their safety (or our sanity).  

Good luck, and may Horme be with you and your beautiful little humans!  

Warmly,

Morahs Megan, K and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 04.28.25

Hello, Toddler families

As we approach summer days with more time at home and as a family, we'd like to share with you an essential part of the Montessori philosophy known as Grace and Courtesy.  This philosophy emphasizes Respect, Empathy, and Kindness as our children learn how to interact with others in a polite and respectful manner.  

This is tricky as there isn't forced use of "please", "thank you", "excuse me", or "I'm sorry" but the modeling of such kindness and demonstrating the practices.  For over half of our class, this will become more common practice as they graduate from Beis Toddler and transition up to the Gimmel 3-6.  But for all of our children, we have been modeling grace and courtesy all school year and are excited to share it with you to continue practicing over the summer.  As our older children have done such a beautiful job mastering grace and courtesy, they really have become the models for our younger children.  In the specific use of our own language, we have seen changes from "Open this", "I want this", and "I can't do it" (with the subsequent meltdowns!) to "Please can you help me...", "I would like this please...", and even the sign language for please, thank you, more, and help.  

Our Montessori children truly are and continue to become such beautiful citizens of our community and the world at large. With their critical thinking, exploratory nature, self-confidence and independence (sometimes the most challenging one as a parent of a toddler!), grace and courtesy is just a notable assist to the goodness they offer.  

Home Tip: be incredibly aware of the language you use at home with each other and your children.  At the dinner table say, "I would like a napkin please" as you reach for one; or find an opportunity to apologize and ask "could you accept my apology" versus a forced "I'm sorry".  Also, remember to slow down.  There's a general rule -- when you've said your child's name or asked a question, count to 8 before you repeat yourself or say their name again.  Our tiny humans are working hard and fast on processing so our patience may allow for sparks of grace and courtesy to show when least expected!

Thank you, as always, for trusting us with your beautiful children. They really do offer such magic to our days and we can't wait to spend this month laughing and changing with them.

Warmly,

Morahs Megan, K and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 04.21.25

Hello Toddler Families,

We hope you had a good Pesach and enjoyed some extra time with your families! Can you believe that we only have a little more than a month left of school? The last few weeks of school are always lots of fun mixed with a little bit of chaos.

With springtime upon us, we’re excited about all the things that grow! You learned about our flower arranging work in our last peek and we want to share some other spring activities we have planned.

1. Our sensory bin is filled with brown beans, flowerpots, gardening tools and artificial flowers. The children have loved the sensory experience of the beans, working on pouring skills and arranging the flowers beautifully. It’s also a great way to practice picking up and sweeping as many beans end up on the floor!

2. We are looking forward to growing some beans in our windows. We will put the bean in a small zip lock bag with a wet paper towel and tape it to the window. The children will be able to observe the beans as they sprout and grow. (See picture below for example.)

3. We also will grow some grass. We have some containers that are going to be for Morah Sarah’s hamster, but first we get to watch it grow!

We are busy making last-minute touches and finishing up our art show pieces. We are so excited to share the things we’ve been working hard on all year. We hope you are able to attend on Thursday, May 1.

Finally, we look forward to having conferences with you on May 5 and May 6. We are ready to share all the ways that your children have grown and all the things they’ve learned in the toddler room this year. We are sad that most of our friends are moving on or moving up, but we know that they are ready and prepared for their next adventure.

Thank you endlessly for sharing your beautiful children with us. We are so GRATEFUL to be called their Morahs!

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Warmly,

Morahs Megan, K and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 04.07.25

Our classroom is buzzing with excitement about spring and all the things growing and blooming. 

Toddlers are fascinated by growing things. They love to get their hands dirty, wet, and messy as they explore all the sensory experiences that the earth has to offer. One of the things we try to teach our toddlers is to leave growing things to keep growing. When we see them trying to pick leaves off a tree, growing grapes off a vine, or petals off a flower we remind them that plants are also living things that belong to the earth and need to be respected and taken care of. We explain that we can explore the leaves and petals that have fallen on the ground, but to let the living things continue to grow. The children help to water and wash the leaves of our indoor plants as an everyday example of caring for living things. You can reinforce this idea at home by allowing your child to help you care for plants around your house and garden. Another way is to grow herbs in the window and show them how we can incorporate them in our cooking!

As a way to incorporate spring and respect for living things in the classroom we have flower arranging. Glass vases with doilies and a small pitcher with a funnel. The children have demonstrated such patience, fine-tuned fine motor work, and appreciation for the flowers once they are set at each table. It’s incredible to watch them treasure their classroom the way they do!

Your children have also been hard at work on their Passover crafts while also learning songs and reading about Pesach. You may hear a lot about frogs on King Pharoah’s head in the coming days! With this short week (no school Friday), we are wishing everyone a beautiful Passover holiday and time with family.

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Warmly,

Morahs K, Megan, and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 03.31.25

Dear Toddler Families,

Hope everyone enjoyed all the Purim celebrations!! Now that Purim is behind us we are already looking forward to the next Holiday Passover. 

In our classroom, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment that encourages independence, concentration, and development of the whole child. One aspect of this environment that might not always get the spotlight, but plays a crucial role in a child’s growth, is heavy work.

What is Heavy Work?

Heavy work refers to activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, or other physical tasks that require strength and effort. These activities might seem simple at first glance, but they offer incredible benefits for children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development.

Heavy work aligns with Dr. Maria Montessori’s belief in the importance of physical activity as part of the child’s overall education. By engaging in these tasks, children not only strengthen their muscles but also build vital sensory and motor skills that are essential for their growth.

The Benefits of Heavy Work

1. Sensory Integration
   Heavy work activities stimulate the proprioceptive system, which helps children understand where their body is in space and how it moves. This contributes to better body awareness and spatial orientation.

2. Regulation of Energy
   Heavy work can be particularly helpful in supporting children who may have difficulty focusing. These activities help release excess energy, allowing children to calm down and focus more effectively on other tasks.

3. Strengthening Motor Skills
   Lifting, pushing, and carrying activities help develop both fine and gross motor skills. Over time, this improves coordination, balance, and body control, which are essential for many activities, including writing and playing.

4. Emotional Regulation
   Completing heavy work tasks often requires determination and focus, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment. It also helps children learn how to self-regulate, providing them with emotional resilience.

5. Promoting Independence
   When children engage in heavy work, they develop confidence in their abilities. These tasks often have a clear beginning and end, offering children a sense of accomplishment as they complete them independently.

Exampes of Heavy Work in our Environment:

• Carrying trays and buckets: Moving items from one place to another, whether it's carrying water or other objects, offers a perfect opportunity for heavy work.

• Sweeping and mopping: Using a broom, mop, or dustpan involves pushing and pulling, which provides sensory input.

• Gardening: Digging, planting, and carrying soil or small gardening tools are great physical tasks for children.

• Building and organizing: Arranging furniture, stacking blocks, or moving classroom materials all contribute to the child’s sense of effort and achievement.

• Stacking and unstacking: Tasks like stacking chairs, books, or containers are effective for muscle strengthening.

• Pushing the tunnels on the playground: Our children love to roll and push the giant tunnels out on the playground, the added bonus is the ride that the friends on the INSIDE get to have!

• Climbing: The pulling and pushing that children have to do when climbing playground equipment or on to trees and rocks provide great heavy work experiences. 

In our classroom, we believe in offering children freedom of choice, allowing them to engage in these tasks naturally. Whether it’s sweeping the floor or helping set up for lunch, the act of performing purposeful physical work is deeply integrated into our daily activities. Encouraging children to help with classroom chores or take part in more challenging tasks can offer both physical and emotional benefits.

Heavy work is more than just physical labor—it’s a vital part of a Montessori education that supports children’s sensory development, motor coordination, emotional regulation, and sense of independence. By providing opportunities for these activities, we’re helping children develop not just their bodies, but also their confidence and self-awareness.

Thank you for continuing to support the children in their journey of discovery and growth.

Warm Regards,

Morahs K, Megan, and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 03.25.25

Dear Toddler Parents, 

Today, we’re excited to explore the role morahs play in a Montessori toddler classroom. The Montessori approach emphasizes independence, self-motivation, and respect for the child’s natural development. But what exactly does the morah do in this child-centered environment?

The Morah as a Guide and Observer

In the toddler classroom, the morah is not the traditional “instructor.” Instead, they serve as a guide and observer, supporting each child’s journey of discovery. At the toddler age, this role becomes especially important as children are really beginning to explore the world around them.

·  Observation: The toddler morahs spend time each week observing the classroom in different ways and taking note of their observations.  This helps us to be able to cater the materials and activities to the children’s specific abilities and interests.  As those things change, so does the classroom.

·  Preparation of the Environment: From our observations, we take very good care to prepare the environment with each child in mind.  We are sure that the materials are appropriate for them in all ways.  This ensures that the classroom belongs to the children, and we are only there as guides to help them use the materials provided.

One of the cornerstones of Montessori education is fostering independence. In a toddler classroom, morahs encourage children to take responsibility for their own learning. This might look like:

·  Modeling: We give the children a lesson on the work by simply showing them, using no or very little language.  Then we sit back and allow them to explore the work. 

·  Respecting the Child’s Pace: We allow each child to move at their own pace. For instance, if a child is not able to use the tongs in a transfer work, we allow them to use their hands until they begin to build the strength to use the tongs. 

A Montessori toddler classroom is also a community where children learn to collaborate, care for each other, and contribute to the group. The teacher plays a key role in:

·  Encouraging Group Activities: We love to allow our children to help with classroom chores such as putting up and down chairs at the start and end of day, or helping a friend with opening a tough snack container.  This gives them ownership of their space and pride in being able to help prepare the environment or assist a friend. 

In our toddler classroom, the morah’s role is one of deep observation, thoughtful preparation, and patient guidance. By creating a space where children are free to explore and make choices the teacher nurtures the child's innate desire to learn. The impact of this approach is profound, as it encourages a lifelong love of learning, self-confidence, and respect for others.

We hope this insight into the teacher’s role in the Montessori toddler classroom has been helpful. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Warm Regards,

Morahs K, Megan, and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 03.17.25

Dear Toddler Families,

Hope everyone enjoyed all the Purim celebrations!! Now that Purim is behind us we are already looking forward to the next Holiday Passover. 

In our classroom, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment that encourages independence, concentration, and development of the whole child. One aspect of this environment that might not always get the spotlight, but plays a crucial role in a child’s growth, is heavy work.

What is Heavy Work?

Heavy work refers to activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, or other physical tasks that require strength and effort. These activities might seem simple at first glance, but they offer incredible benefits for children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development.

Heavy work aligns with Dr. Maria Montessori’s belief in the importance of physical activity as part of the child’s overall education. By engaging in these tasks, children not only strengthen their muscles but also build vital sensory and motor skills that are essential for their growth.

The Benefits of Heavy Work

1. Sensory Integration
   Heavy work activities stimulate the proprioceptive system, which helps children understand where their body is in space and how it moves. This contributes to better body awareness and spatial orientation.

2. Regulation of Energy
   Heavy work can be particularly helpful in supporting children who may have difficulty focusing. These activities help release excess energy, allowing children to calm down and focus more effectively on other tasks.

3. Strengthening Motor Skills
   Lifting, pushing, and carrying activities help develop both fine and gross motor skills. Over time, this improves coordination, balance, and body control, which are essential for many activities, including writing and playing.

4. Emotional Regulation
   Completing heavy work tasks often requires determination and focus, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment. It also helps children learn how to self-regulate, providing them with emotional resilience.

5. Promoting Independence
   When children engage in heavy work, they develop confidence in their abilities. These tasks often have a clear beginning and end, offering children a sense of accomplishment as they complete them independently.

Exampes of Heavy Work in our Environment:

• Carrying trays and buckets: Moving items from one place to another, whether it's carrying water or other objects, offers a perfect opportunity for heavy work.

• Sweeping and mopping: Using a broom, mop, or dustpan involves pushing and pulling, which provides sensory input.

• Gardening: Digging, planting, and carrying soil or small gardening tools are great physical tasks for children.

• Building and organizing: Arranging furniture, stacking blocks, or moving classroom materials all contribute to the child’s sense of effort and achievement.

• Stacking and unstacking: Tasks like stacking chairs, books, or containers are effective for muscle strengthening.

• Pushing the tunnels on the playground: Our children love to roll and push the giant tunnels out on the playground, the added bonus is the ride that the friends on the INSIDE get to have!

• Climbing: The pulling and pushing that children have to do when climbing playground equipment or on to trees and rocks provide great heavy work experiences. 

In our classroom, we believe in offering children freedom of choice, allowing them to engage in these tasks naturally. Whether it’s sweeping the floor or helping set up for lunch, the act of performing purposeful physical work is deeply integrated into our daily activities. Encouraging children to help with classroom chores or take part in more challenging tasks can offer both physical and emotional benefits.

Heavy work is more than just physical labor—it’s a vital part of a Montessori education that supports children’s sensory development, motor coordination, emotional regulation, and sense of independence. By providing opportunities for these activities, we’re helping children develop not just their bodies, but also their confidence and self-awareness.

Thank you for continuing to support the children in their journey of discovery and growth.

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Warm Regards,

Morahs K, Megan, and Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 03.10.25

Hello, Toddler Families

As the weather starts to take a drastic turn upward and we welcome brighter evenings, it's a great time to explore nature and outside time with your toddlers! At school we strive to be outside every day and you all know we embrace play in mud, water, and even snow.  Our rain suits and boots have already been put to great use and as the rainy season enters, they'll allow us to be outside even more. 

On the playground we constantly see the children in collaborative play creating ice cream shops, car repair, theater productions, and we are offered daily a mix of mulch and rock "soup"! It's an incredible time for gross motor effort, perfecting skills such as balance, climbing, jumping, and sharing.  Being outdoors also allows us to encourage the toddlers to trust their own bodies and allow them to climb/maneuver only in ways that they can get themselves into as well as out of.  It's an incredible lesson in patience (for us) and perseverance (for them).  There's such an importance in standing back, even when there is whining or crying for help, and gently encouraging them to trust themselves.  The pride and excitement we see when they work through the situation is incredible.  

With this being the week of Purim, we are telling stories about the strength and perseverance of the Jewish people while incorporating art and even more imaginative play.  Creative and imaginative play has its own place in the Montessori curriculum and Purim presents a perfect time for dress up and storytelling.  This Friday 3/14 we hope to see all of our toddlers in costumes for our Purim celebration as the playground imagination and exploration transfers into our celebration.   

As always, thank you for your constant collaboration and support throughout the year.  We hope you can enjoy a bike ride or a hike this weekend with your toddlers in the sunshine!

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Warmest Regards,

Morahs Megan, K, Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 03.03.25

Hello Wonderful Toddler Families!

With the weather warming up, we are spending more time outside on the playground and enjoying the fresh air! Please be sure to send in weather appropriate clothing and shoes.

This week will be discussing Purim. Chaya will read the story of Purim, sing songs, and begin crafts in preparation for celebrations next week.

One of the most magical parts of early childhood is preparing our little ones for the joy of reading. The foundation for literacy begins long before they can read words on a page. It’s all about creating an environment that nurtures curiosity, language, and a love of books and reading.

Here are a few simple ways to support your child’s reading journey at home:

1. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
   Make a special space where your child can explore books independently. Keep a variety of age-appropriate books accessible, ensuring they can easily choose their favorites.

2. Talk, Talk, Talk
   Engage your child in rich conversations. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to express their thoughts. This builds their vocabulary and understanding of how language works.

3. Storytelling and Rhymes
   Share stories and sing songs with rhymes. Rhyming games help develop phonemic awareness, an essential skill for learning to read. Don’t be afraid to get silly with your voices—it makes it fun!

4. Letters and Sounds
   Introduce letters in a playful way. Use sandpaper letters or simple puzzles. Don’t rush into formal reading instruction—allow the natural progression of letter recognition and sound understanding to unfold at your child’s pace.

5. Model Reading
   Children love to imitate! Let them see you reading regularly, whether it’s books, magazines, or even recipe cards. Your enthusiasm will be contagious and inspire them to mimic your love for reading.

By creating an environment where books are cherished, language is nurtured, and stories are shared, you're laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of reading. Take your time, enjoy the process, and let the magic of words unfold!

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Warmest Regards,

Morahs Megan, K, Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 02.17.25

Hello Wonderful Toddler Families!

We hope you’re enjoying this winter season! In the classroom, we’ve been focusing on a key area of development: Fine Motor Skills. Fine motor skills are essential for young children as they lay the foundation for later writing and drawing abilities. By strengthening hand and finger muscles, children improve their coordination, control, and ability to use tools like pencils, crayons, and scissors. 

We switched works this week after noticing both an interest in cutting and scribble work. This will help us work on hand strength, pincer grasp and wrist strength.

A couple of favorites so far are the dry rice transfer work, the tooth pick drop, and the heart one to one correspondence work.

We encourage you to reinforce these skills at home! Here are a few fun ideas:

• Draw and Color Together: Use large paper and crayons or markers to help your child trace shapes and letters. Focus on using a proper grip!

• Play with Puzzles and Toys with Small Pieces: Anything that requires picking up small items or fitting them together can work wonders.

• Bead Stringing or Pasta Necklace Projects: These activities are both fun and build important hand-eye coordination.

Thank you for your continued support in your child's learning journey. If you have any questions or want more tips on how to enhance fine motor skills at home, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Warmest Regards,

Morahs Megan, K, Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 02.03.25

Hello Wonderful Toddler Families!

We are having a wonderful week! With the warmer temperatures, we are hoping to go outside. Thank you, in advance, for sending weather appropriate clothing and footwear for your child.  After a long, cold January, they are so happy for more outdoor adventures!  

Sleep has become a topic of discussion in our classroom. WHY are naps important? Because "sleep begets sleep!”  When your toddler sleeps well during the day, they are more likely to sleep well at night and vice versa. For your child’s internal clock and circadian rhythm to work well together, they need to have quality sleep in a 24-hour period (not just for naps OR nights – but ideally both).

When a child is not getting enough sleep, adrenaline and cortisol increase causing a hyper-alert state and irritability. Cortisol counteracts and suppresses melatonin (the sleep hormone) which in turn, makes it difficult to fall asleep. That’s why daytime sleep begets nighttime sleep in young kids. (Cortisol also prevents your child from sinking into a deeper sleep. Even if your child falls asleep, they will wake up more frequently throughout the night.)

HOW are naps best implemented? Establish a routine! In our classroom, we clean up after lunch, then do toileting / diapering, and then we read books for 5-10 minutes. During this time, we also darken the room, and have soft music playing. Afterwards, everyone goes to sleep. 

We realize that each child has different sleep needs. Some need more sleep than others. For those that have a shorter sleep cycle, we encourage them to sleep or play quietly. About halfway through, we assess the room. Those who are awake go to the Big Room or outside for gross motor play.

If you have questions or concerns, please call or come in right away. Keep us informed if something is going on with your child or family at home. We will do the same regarding progress and behavior at school. If they have a good, or less than ideal, sleep cycle the night before, let us know.

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Have a wonderful week!

Warmest Regards,

Morahs Megan, K, Sarah

Toddler Peek at the Week 1.13.25

Hello Wonderful Toddler Families!

First, we want to thank all of you that took the time to come to our Parent Ed Night. We focused on the topic of the sensitive periods of toddler development with an emphasis on toilet learning.  For those of you that couldn’t make it, you missed an awesome night full of information and pro tips! If you haven't seen it already, we sent a packet of info home in your child's backpack.  Please reach out if you have any questions!  We're excited to be on the toilet learning journey with you and your children!

This week's peek is going to focus on our daily schedule.  We try to stick to a routine versus a schedule, doing the same activities in a certain order at relatively the same time, allowing for flexibility for “life” circumstances. This is a simple version of our daily routine and the approximate times we do each activity. Below, we have some further explanation about transitions, snack windows, etc.

Toddler Daily Routine

8:00-9:00-Arrival (Hang up coats and backpacks, put on slippers, place lunch, water and snack on shelves)

9:00-10:15-Work Cycle (Morning snack open from 9:15-10:00)

10:15-10:30-Judaic Circle

10:30-11:15-Gross Motor on Playground or in Big Room

11:15-12:00-Lunch

12:00-2:00-Nap

1:30-3:30-Transition from nap to Playground or Big Room, snack and work cycle

3:30-School Day Dismissal

3:30-5:30-After Care

It’s so important for your children to be at school no later than 9am, in order to transition successfully into the classroom, have time for a morning snack as well as a chance to complete a work cycle or two before Circle time.

Children go down for a nap at about 12:00, and as they wake, starting at 1:30 they transition to gross motor play on the playground or in the Big Room. Once several children are awake, they take turns, 4 at a time at the snack table. The children at the snack table have about 10 minutes to eat. If the snack table is full, they must practice waiting patiently for a friend to finish. This process helps teach time management as well as task initiation and inhibition.

After 3:30 pick up, we spend time in the classroom doing work cycles, art projects, and group collaboration. Then we transition to spend time in the Big Room or our playground for free play and gross motor movement.

I hope this is helpful for you to see a little more clearly into your child’s day in our classroom. If you have any questions about this or are wondering how you can adapt this to your routine at home, just ask! Thank you so much for trusting your beautiful children with us every day. It’s so delightful to watch them grow and change.

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We are so excited to have the Whatsapp platform for us to communicate and share photos with you!  I think we've been able to connect everyone that wanted access but let us know if we missed anyone.

Finally, check out the Chai Tots Instagram page for some fun new Montessori content we've been sharing and will continue to share.    

Have a wonderful week!

Warmest Regards,

Morahs Megan, K, Sarah