Young Toddler Peek at the Week 11.17.25

Dear Families,

We have made a small change to our daily schedule to better support the children’s flow of work and independence. Morning snack will now take place a bit earlier, at 9:00 AM, allowing us to enjoy a full hour of focused work time before heading outside at 10:30.

Thank you for continuing to send hats, mittens, boots, and extra clothes, including socks—these help keep the children comfortable and ready for outdoor exploration. Last week, we had so much fun discovering the first snow together!

This coming week, we’ll continue exploring the theme of water. The children will have the opportunity to investigate frozen water in our sensory bin, where they’ll find large ice balls with small toys or figurines frozen inside. As the ice melts, the treasures will be revealed—a wonderful hands-on experience that encourages curiosity, concentration, and discovery.

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, and Pallavi

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 11.10.25

Dear Parents, 

This week in our classroom, we’ve made a small but meaningful change in our bathroom setup! We rearranged the diapers and wipes so that they are now within easy reach of the children. During toileting and diaper changes, we will invite each child to retrieve their own diaper and wipes. This helps them become more active participants in the care of their own bodies—a key part of developing independence and self-confidence.

As Montessori Morahs, we know that young children experience sensitive periods—windows of time when they are especially drawn to learning particular skills. Around 18 months to 3 years, many children enter a sensitive period for order, movement, and self-care, all of which play an important role in the toileting process.

  • Order: Children are comforted when routines are predictable and materials are kept in consistent places. Having their own diapering items in an organized, accessible spot helps them feel secure and capable.

  • Movement: Toddlers love to move with purpose! Fetching their own diaper or carrying wipes gives them a chance to practice coordination and independence.

  • Care of self: As children grow, they naturally want to take care of themselves. Being involved in toileting—whether by pulling down their own pants, sitting on the toilet, or helping with cleanup—respects this inner drive toward autonomy.

Of course, we all know how much toddlers enjoy exploring wipes! Now, instead of pulling them out for fun, they can put those wipes to good use during their toileting routine, learning that their actions have meaning and purpose.

Each small step toward independence builds confidence and lays the foundation for self-care skills that will serve them for years to come.

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, and Pallavi

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 11.03.25

Dear Parents, 

In Montessori, we honor each child’s natural rhythm and understand how rest supports their growth, focus, and independence. Sleep is when the brain restores itself—its “emergency maintenance” time—helping children process everything they’ve learned through their busy day of exploration.

Our nap time each day is between 12:00 and 2:00 PM to support this important need. Because sleep timing affects the whole day, it’s helpful to keep your child’s wake windows (the stretch of time they can comfortably stay awake) consistent. A late morning wake-up can delay nap time, and an off-schedule nap can make bedtime more challenging. This pushes sleep later, which in turn affects morning wake up and the next days’s nap – perpetuating a less than ideal sleep cycle. 

We know routines can shift, and that’s okay! If your child’s schedule gets off track, please let us know so we can work together to gently guide them back into balance. Consistency helps break the cycle of overtiredness and supports calmer, more restful sleep—for children and parents alike.

For toddlers aged 18 to 24 months, wake windows typically range from 4 to 6 hours, with most children taking one nap a day. The first wake window of the day is often a bit longer, around 4.5 to 5 hours, while the second wake window, from the end of the nap to bedtime, is usually shorter at about 4 to 5 hours.

If your child is not napping well at school, consider waking him/ her up earlier in the morning to allow for a longer wake window. If your child is not sleeping well at home, it could be related to their nap time (or lack of) at school.

Keeping wake windows too short or too long (before nap or bedtime) can make it harder for your child to fall asleep, so it's important to stick to a schedule that works for them. Toddlers between 18 and 24 months need 11 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including naps. This often consists of a longer nighttime sleep plus one daytime nap. Keep in mind that this is a general guideline, and the exact amount can vary for each child. 

Thank you for your continued partnership! Reach out to us with any questions or concerns about sleep or any other issue! 

Mazel tov to Shua! A new baby boy has joined his family!

Sincerely,

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, and Pallavi

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 10.27.25

Dear Parents, 

Last week we got back into the swing of things with our regular schedule, after the holidays. We have been getting great use of the outdoor play area. The weather has been mild and allows us to enjoy the fresh air and freedom to run and jump. What a joy to observe our little ones maneuver over the varied textures of the playground, delighting in their freedom. Some enjoy this time to socialize, while others relish in their independence. 

As winter approaches, we will continue to enjoy the outdoors. Please dress your child accordingly with layers, and send jackets or coats, hats, and mittens. When the temperature is above 32 degrees, and the ground is relatively dry, we will venture outside! 

On inclement days, we still offer freedom of movement within our classroom, as movement is integral to a Montessori environment. We also make use of the Big Room, where there is now a camping-themed dramatic play area in addition to the slide, tumble mats, large cushions, ride-on toys and more. 

Maria Montessori observed that movement enhances learning, engaging as many senses as possible. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, we know that learning is linked to movement. At home you might provide opportunities for additional movement with these suggestions: 

  • After a ride in the car, take a little walk up the street or around the block before you enter the house.

  • Play a game with your child if she is demanding your attention: "I wonder if you can move that truck around the hallway and into the family room without it touching anything - just the way truck drivers do?" "Let's see how many blocks can be balanced on top of one another?" "I wonder if you can find all the red things in the room?"

Helping your child learn how to be in control of his movements will stimulate his physical and mental development, paving the way for more independence!

Thank you for your partnership! 

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 10.20.25

Dear Parents, 

This week we are continuing with color sorting and color matching in various works. We also have some new puzzles out and fruit matching cards. Last week one of the most popular works was the wooden blocks. Some friends like to build towers, while others are learning to set them up in a domino style. Everyone enjoys knocking them down! 

Starting this week, we will be moving our morning work time earlier to allow for a later gross motor time so that on nice days we can have sun on the playground. Our morning work cycle will be from 9-10. Snack at 10, and gross motor around 10:15-11. Then toileting and washing hands; lunch at 11:15, followed by naps from 12-2. We are fortunate to have additional gross motor time and another work cycle in the afternoon as well. And a snack! Let’s not forget how much we all enjoy the snacks and meals we share together! 

Thank you for sharing your precious littles with us. We adore them and appreciate your support and collaboration! 

Warmly, 

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, and Pallavi

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 10.13.25

Dear Parents, 

One of our new works on the shelves this month is an engaging color-sorting material. A tray with miniature, yet realistic-looking fruits and vegetables and colorful bowls invites the children to pick up, investigate, and sort the items based on color. Developmentally, our young toddlers are at the early end of sorting and color identification, but introduction to these activities is beneficial. 

As Morahs, we model with clear and concise language and presentation of how to sort. We will not correct a child if he or she places the item in a bowl of a different color, but when we model, we show how to sort and match by color. We provide the language, “The banana is yellow. I put it in the bowl that is yellow.” 

When learning colors, it is helpful to state the noun before the adjective (color). This separates the object from the color, to reduce confusion. We use this type of identification a lot in the Big Room: “Bring me the ball that is purple. Let’s find the ball that is red.” This keeps the known object at the beginning of the sentence (the ball) and helps to hone in on the new aspect to learn (the color). 

To enhance everyone’s sensory experience this week, we'll be spending more time in the sukkah. We'll sing, say blessings, and explore the unique textures and scents of the lulav and etrog. Simchat Torah is tomorrow, so we have been singing joyful Torah songs too! 

We're excited to see how our little ones respond to these new experiences and continue to grow in their language, sorting, and sensory skills.

Chag Sameach! 

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy 

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 10.06.25

Dear Parents, 


Sukkot is almost here! We will prepare for the holiday by spending time in the sukkah at school. Inside the sukkah, we will use our senses to learn about the lulav and etrog, and will say the traditional blessing. Back in the classroom, we have big plans to create our own mini sukkah with a cardboard box that we can climb into. We will bring in sticks and grass to glue to the top to make the roof. We will decorate the walls with markers, crayons and stickers.  


This month, we plan to explore various textures -- squishy pumpkin seeds, bumpy gourds, and smooth pumpkins. We will feel the outer skin and notice differences in size and texture. This is an early classification skill. As our little ones get older, they begin to show interest in classifying, sorting, and matching. You can promote this cognitive skill at home with everyday objects such as shoes, mittens, and utensils. If the child is not yet ready to match or sort, the senses are still very much engaged in handling these natural materials. Bring in: leaves, pinecones, small pumpkins, and gourds. Their natural texture is different from the manmade materials we have in abundance in our homes. Your child will likely be drawn to these new and enticing textures. 

Enjoy the upcoming Sukkot holiday. Chag Sameach!

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 09.29.25

Dear Parents,

Dr. Maria Montessori discovered and wrote about sensitive periods in young children’s lives. Sensitive periods are times when babies and children have an intense urge to learn and acquire new skills. For toileting, the sweet spot is 12-24 months; just where we are!

In our Young Toddler classroom, we change diapers adjacent to the toilet which leads to curiosity and interest in sitting. We encourage the children to “push down” and “pull up” their pants, with assistance during this time, promoting independence and body autonomy. We have some friends who opt to sit on the toilet during diaper changes throughout the day. This proximity and familiarity with toilet learning will lead to more successful, and likely sooner, diaper-free time. 

Hand washing has also been introduced, and quickly became one of the more popular “works” in the room. Stepping up to the stool, lifting the handle and watching the water flow from the faucet is very exciting! (We even have one child who washes his hair, scrubbing and mimicking shampooing ;) Since we observed a fascination with water in the sink, we decided to add some pouring work to the sensory bin. The bin is filled halfway with water. We present a miniature, glass pitcher and a bowl. We demonstrate how to dip the pitcher and pour the water into the bowl, “First dip, then pour.” This activity requires focus, so it is a one-child work. We keep towels underneath the bin for safety. It is simple and repetitive, and oh-so-much fun! 

Wishing you a wonderful week!

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

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, Kristi 

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 09.15.25

Dear Parents,

We are looking forward to another festive week preparing for Rosh Hashanah! Last week we dove into the holiday preparations with an abundance of apples– the symbolic food of Rosh Hashanah. Miniature faux apples in the sensory bin, apple-shaped sponge painting, and real apples in bushel baskets (picked by the 3-6 kids on their field trip!) to feel, hold, and scrub in water. 

This week, we will showcase another important Rosh Hashanah object– the shofar, the horn from a Ram that is blown on Rosh Hashanah. Our young toddlers will be invited to dip their fingers into brown paint, as well as sand. This will be a sensory art activity to feel the smooth paint, in contrast with the rough sand. The sand symbolizes the rough texture of the shofar. Rabbi Kalmanson will demonstrate the sounds for us from a real Shofar.

Throughout all of our holiday preparations and while doing our regular classroom work, we are always modeling and practicing language with the children. We go around the table and give names to snack and lunch items. We practice grace and courtesy by saying please and thank you, and we address our friends and Morahs by name. We model speaking in phrases and short sentences with clear diction and expression. We weave mini language lessons into all areas of the classroom so that it is an immersive experience. We are beginning to see young friends talk to each other more frequently. Many times this is exemplified by stating, “My work!” to a friend who wants to use the same material. We also observe friends asking, “You ok?” after a friend falls down. Some children like to repeat the Morahs’ words, saying to their friends: “Time for lunch!” 

We extend a warm welcome to the newest member of our Young Toddler community, Nora! We are excited to have you and look forward to a wonderful time together!

Warmly,

Morahs Pallavi, Rachael, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 09.08.25

Dear Parents,

We are happily preparing for Rosh Hashanah in a myriad of ways. On the bookshelf are three new board books showcasing the holiday with vibrant photos and invitations to touch and feel objects that symbolize Rosh Hashanah. Similarly, in our sensory bin, we have added small apples and cinnamon sticks among a bed of dried split peas. The apples and honey are the auspicious symbols of the Holiday, representing a sweet new year to be had by all. The dried split peas are simply an engaging medium in which to place the apples. The children will enjoy digging, pouring, and transferring these items all week! 

Art is also on the agenda this week! We will invite the children to participate in apple stamping with an apple-shaped sponge. Painting at this age is more about the experience than the final product. Painting can be calming (rhythmically moving fingers and hands, the feeling of cool paint on skin) and contribute to increased self-esteem. When children are allowed the freedom to create art as an open-ended activity, versus highly structured one, it builds confidence. So while we do provide some initial structure to the activity, we also leave it open-ended. We will wear smocks and/or take off clothes when we create art, and we use non-toxic tempera paint. Getting messy is half the fun!

All week long, we will be engaging our five senses as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah with our young friends. This week, we officially welcome Ezra to our class! Ezra already knows everyone well and has transitioned with ease. He is a joyful addition to our community!

The Ages and Stages parent questionnaire was sent home last Friday. This developmental screening tool is helpful to identify areas of strength, as well as areas of concern. It ensures teachers and parents are aligned in expectations. Please take some time to complete this questionnaire, and return to us by Friday, 9/12. 

Thank you for your continuted support!

Warmly,
Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 09.02.25

Dear Parents,

Did you know that confidence is built through nose blowing? That’s right! In a Montessori classroom, even the simplest daily tasks are viewed as meaningful opportunities for children to build independence and confidence. One such task—often overlooked by adults, but deeply empowering for children—is learning how to wipe their nose.

This Practical Life activity is introduced in our young toddler environment, and reinforced in the older classrooms. It is designed not only to support hygiene, but also to encourage autonomy, intentional movement, and body care. 

We have a nose wiping station set up in the room with a wall mirror and a tray of 5 folded tissues. When we notice a runny nose, we model and provide guidance in this way: 

  • Invite the child to come to the mirror.

  • Help them notice something on their nose. We say “mucus.” 

  • Show the tissues and select one, unfolding it slowly and deliberately.

  • Invite your child to select and open a tissue.

  • Face the mirror and demonstrate– again, emphasizing deliberate movements. 

  • ”Pinch and pull” is one phrase that you can use. 

  • Allow the child to try. Assist as needed.

  • Follow up with handwashing to reinforce cleanliness.

Learning to be successful in one simple task, nose wiping, builds confidence and self-reliance. Remember to keep the tissues where your child can reach them. Children love being able to independently take care of their needs! It's the perfect practical life activity that toddlers crave.

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 8.25.25

Dear Parents,

As parents of toddlers, you know how eager and excited they are to learn about how the world around them works! Developing their fine motor skills so that they can explore the world is essential for independence, concentration, and academic preparedness like writing. In our classroom this week, we have added several new materials designed for this purpose: “Recuse the animals” engages the children to delicately lift and pull rubber bands off miniature animal figurines that are strapped to wooden blocks. Another variation of this you can make at home is taping (with painters tape) animal figurines, small vehicles, or puzzle pieces to the table or floor to remove. We have also added a colander with pipe cleaners that entices the children to push the pipe cleaner through any of the holes. It’s interesting to watch them as they maneuver their fingers, learning through experimentation, at which angle they should grasp the pipe cleaner to successfully fit it through the hole. We also added play doh and a small rolling pin to a shelf. This work provides sensory exploration, as well as fine motor refinement. 

These activities provide hands-on, self-directed learning opportunities, strengthening hand-eye coordination and dexterity while fostering problem-solving skills and self-confidence. 

Labeling Request: Please label all snack and lunch containers with your child’s name. 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 8.18.25

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Young Toddler Community!

We have enjoyed meeting and reuniting with all five members of our classroom. The children are getting comfortable with their new surroundings and with each other. We are establishing routines and learning about our new friends. 

Our daily schedule is as follows:

9:00-9:30 - Gross Motor Time

9:30 - Snack

9:45-11:00 - Work Cycle 

11:00-11:30 - Lunch

12:00-2:00 - Nap

2:00 - Snack

2:30-3:20 - Work Cycle

3:20-3:30 - Music & Movement I

3:30-4:00 - Gross Motor Time

4:00 - Snack 

4:30 - Music & Movement II

5:00 - Gross Motor Time

We are grateful to have two dedicated work cycles each day. Work cycles are when the magic happens in a Montessori classroom. Work cycles are uninterrupted times for us to give lessons, observe the children with the materials, and really protect and encourage the child’s focus. More so than in other styles of learning, as Montessori teachers, we are trained to “sit on our hands” and “bite our tongues,” thereby respecting the child’s concentration and minimizing external stimuli and distractions. 

In mid-September, Ms. Joanie’s Music begins on Wednesday mornings. This is the highlight of the week, with interactive sing-a-longs, ukulele playing, and a variety of additional unique instruments. Because music and movement are so important to development, we make sure to also incorporate a daily music and movement session to our afternoon routine! This regular part of our day offers a wonderful way for your toddlers to learn and grow. We love this creative time for your child to express themselves, gain confidence, and connect with friends and teachers in a new way. 

We can't wait to share these parts of the day and more special moments with your little one this year!

Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy