Young Toddler Peek at the Week 02.09.26

Dear Families, 

In our young toddler environment, so much of the meaningful work on the shelves is designed to strengthen eye–hand coordination. From a Montessori perspective, this is far more than a motor skill — it is a foundational pathway to independence, concentration, and eventually writing.

Eye–hand coordination happens when a child’s eyes guide the movement of their hands with purpose. Toddlers are in a sensitive period for refining these movements. When we offer carefully prepared activities that require precise, intentional hand movements, children are building the neural pathways that will later support pencil grip, drawing, writing, self-care skills, and everyday tasks.

A new work you may see this week is our “wire tree.” Children are invited to thread dried penne pasta, chunky beads, or rings onto the branches. This simple, beautiful activity requires focus, control, and coordination as the child visually guides their hands to place each piece.

Many of the materials on our shelves serve this same purpose:

  • Jars with latches and screw tops that children open and close to access materials

  • Pushing shapes into correctly sized openings

  • Lacing activities

  • Transferring small objects with care

Though these works may appear simple, they are deeply purposeful. The repetition children are drawn to is what strengthens coordination and builds concentration.

Before a child can hold a crayon, draw a line, or write a letter, they must first:

  • Strengthen the small muscles of the hand

  • Learn to visually track their hand movements

  • Practice controlled, intentional motion

  • Develop patience and focus through repetition

This is why you will not see traditional “pre-writing worksheets” in a Montessori toddler classroom. Instead, you will see rich, hands-on experiences that prepare the hand and mind naturally.

To support rye hand coordination at home, you likely have everything you need already in your kitchen drawers:

  • Let your child open and close containers with different lids

  • Encourage helping in the kitchen: stirring, pouring, transferring

  • Provide opportunities to put objects into containers and take them out

  • Practice peeling stickers and placing them onto paper

  • Use clothespins on the edge of a box

Simple, real tasks are the most powerful.

Thank you for supporting this important developmental work at home and at school. These small movements today are building the skills your child will rely on for years to come.

Many thanks from your Morahs, 

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, Pallavi, Mary, and Sarah

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 02.02.26

Dear Families,

For Tu Bishvat celebration  we celebrated with a hands-on planting activity. The children planted bean seeds, exploring soil and small pots with their hands. They were engaged, curious, and joyfully busy!

This week we are deepening our work around language development. Language is woven into our daily work in very intentional ways. We move from the most concrete experiences to more abstract ones, meeting each child where they are. We utilize a variety of matching activities on our shelves as one method.  As each match is made, we say the object names slowly and deliberately, and encourage the children to repeat us.

  • Object-to-object matching (most concrete): Matching real objects, such as plush fruits, mittens, and animal figurines, helps children build vocabulary through tangible, hands-on learning.

  • Object-to-picture matching:
    Using fruit magnets with matching picture cards encourages children to make connections between real objects and representations. 

  • Picture-to-picture matching (most abstract):
    Matching identical animal cards supports visual discrimination and early symbolic thinking. We aim for the most realistic and lifelike photos or images, rather than cartoony illustrations to support our early language learners. This supports understanding what the image truly represents. 

We also support language development through:

  • Reading books and storytelling, including Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? using our felt board,

  • Interactive storytelling with other props, and

  • Songs and finger plays, such as “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “The Wheels on the Bus.”

Here are a few simple ways to support this learning at home:

  • Name everyday objects: During meals or playtime, name fruits, animals, or household objects. Repetition helps build vocabulary.

  • Match and sort: Invite your child to match real objects to pictures in books, or sort toys by category (animals, cars, foods).

  • Read and sing together: Re-read favorite books and sing familiar songs. Toddlers love repetition, and it strengthens language, memory, and confidence.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We love watching the children grow in communication, independence, and curiosity each day.

Warmly,

Rachael, Pallavi, Kristy, and Sarah 

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 01.26.26

Dear Parents, 

One of our more popular works currently on the shelves is the matching magnets and cards activity. This work becomes a game as we match familiar and lesser known fruits—lime, pomegranate, plum, pineapple, lemon, pear, and mango are newly added. This supports visual discrimination, language development, and joyful problem-solving. Each week we will add new foods or animals. 

In honor of Tu BiShvat, our sensory bin is filled with barley. The children are scooping, pouring, and transferring, strengthening fine motor skills while engaging their senses. This type of hands-on exploration also encourages calm focus and repetition.

We continue to place a strong emphasis on helping children build focus and concentration, which is especially important in today’s world filled with screens and constant digital stimulation which can lead to shorter attention spans. In the classroom, we intentionally limit interruptions. If a friend interrupts, we gently guide children to use the phrase “my work”—helping them learn to protect their concentration and respect the work of others.

As some illness has been going around, we are practicing important self-care routines throughout the day. Children are learning and practicing proper handwashing, nose wiping, and covering coughs by coughing into an elbow or turning away. These skills support both independence and care for our classroom community.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are grateful to share these meaningful moments of growth with your children each day.

Warmly, 

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, Kristy, and Sarah

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 01.19.26

Dear Families,

This week, we will continue exploring the element of earth through hands-on sensory experiences. The children will investigate soil and mud in the sensory bin and enjoy finger painting with natural materials. We will also explore flowers frozen in ice cubes, bringing nature indoors in a beautiful and engaging way. These experiences are part of our preparation for the upcoming holiday of Tu Bishvat. Tu Bishvat is the celebration of the new year of the trees in Israel. We celebrate nature and growth on this holiday. Next week, we will taste and sample some of the seven species of fruits from trees in Israel! 

On the shelves, several inviting new works will support independence, coordination, and concentration, including:

  • Animal matching with accompanying animal sounds to practice listening and sound discrimination

  • In and out activities

  • Teddy bear care (wrapping with blankets)

  • Mittens matching and wearing, helping children practice putting them on their own hands

As the weather stays cold, we are enjoying a cozy indoor environment filled with winter-themed works while bringing elements of the outdoors inside for continued exploration.

We are truly enjoying your little ones and love watching them grow through meaningful, hands-on learning each day!

Warmly, 

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, Pallavi, Mary, and Sarah 

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 01.12.26

Dear Families,

What a beautiful first week back. The children were excited to see their friends again and explore works that were specifically placed for each of them on our shelves: magnetic fruits with matching cards, graduated wooden blocks for stacking, Mama and baby bird colorful bowls matching work, in and out pegs in container work, and magna-tiles on the light box. 

One of the guiding principles of Maria Montessori’s philosophy is the simple but powerful idea: “Help me do it by myself.” In our young toddler classroom, this concept is at the heart of how we support your child’s growth, confidence, and sense of self.

Throughout the day, we intentionally offer opportunities for children to practice independence in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. This includes: putting on and taking off shoes, participating in dressing and undressing, opening and closing lunch containers and snack items, and beginning the toileting process. 

You may notice that we often pause before stepping in to help. This is intentional. When a child is working on a task, we may ask, “Do you want to try again, or would you like help?” This respectful choice honors their effort while reassuring them that support is always available.

Independence at this age is not about perfection or speed—it’s about building confidence, coordination, and trust in oneself. Each small success helps your child develop a strong sense of “I can do this,” which lays the foundation for resilience and self-esteem.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting independence at home as well. Simple moments—allowing extra time to try, offering encouragement, and celebrating effort—make a big difference.

Thank you for trusting us to support your child’s growth during this important stage of development.

Warmly,

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, Kristy, Mary, and Sarah

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 01.05.26

Dear Parents, 

Welcome back! We hope your holiday break was filled with joy and special moments with family. It has been wonderful welcoming the children back to the classroom and seeing their smiles as they reconnect with friends and teachers.

This week, we will be introducing new work on the shelves designed to engage the children’s minds, support independence, and gently challenge their growing skills. Sorting activities such as the mama and baby birds activity and eye hand coordination works such as putting pegs into foam boards are on the shelves. We’ve added an easel for chalk drawing on one side and painting on the other. The sensory bin currently has kinetic sand, scooping tools, cups for making sand castles, and small animal figurines to find hidden in the sand. The children enjoy feeling the sand in their hands while working at the sensory bin. We have observed longer attention spans and presence, especially while working with the sensory bin materials. It's mesmerizing! 

We look forward to seeing families at our curriculum night on Tuesday, January 6. During this time, we will share more in-depth information about our young toddler program and the Montessori philosophy. 

Warmly, 

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 12.15.25

Dear Parents, 

Chanukah is officially here, and the children are already buzzing with excitement! This week, we’ll be celebrating with hands-on, joyful activities that invite the children to explore the sights and sounds of the holiday.

In our sensory bin, the children will enjoy colorful dreidel matching, practicing early color recognition and matching skills while having fun. We’ll also be singing our favorite Latke Song, using special “frying pans” crafted from tinfoil-covered paper plates. The toddlers love holding these shiny props as they sizzle and shake along with the music!

Morah Sarah will bring her colorful and enticing train menorah to light the first candle on Monday and demonstrate a prayer* (see below). On the first day, we will say three different blessings, and after that, we will light another candle and say two blessings each day.

*Chanukah Prayer Transliteration

  1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr kha-noo-kah

  2. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-ah-sah nee-sim lah-ah-voh-tay-noo bah-yah-mim hah-haym biz-mahn hah-zeh

  3. (When lighting for the first time this year: Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-yi-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh)

English Translation

  1. Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

  2. Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

  3. (When lighting for the first time this year: Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.)

We are looking forward to welcoming our families at the Chanukah Walk-Through on Wednesday. It’s always a highlight to share the children’s joy and learning with you.

Wishing all a bright and happy Chanukah! ✨🕎

Morahs Rachael, Pallavi, and Kristy

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 12.08.25

Dear Parents, 

We hope you all enjoyed a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday! In our young toddler environment, we are excited to start Chanukah in our room and also introduce two new matching works to support the children’s growing concentration and problem-solving skills.

As we move into the Chanukah holiday season, the children are beginning to explore simple Chanukah-themed crafts and activities. We are singing songs such as “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Candles,” and “  Latke, Latka hop on the pan.” The children will use paint to decorate dreidels and practice counting to eight as they place candles on a Menorah. These activities offer joyful ways to build early fine-motor skills, sequencing, and number recognition.

Other new works include fall-themed picture cards—rakes, leaves, trees, and pumpkins. Another is a magnetic matching activity using familiar fruits. As the children build confidence and begin to master these materials, we will gradually rotate in lesser-known fruits, vegetables, and eventually animals. This natural progression helps strengthen visual discrimination, vocabulary development, and flexible thinking.

We look forward to sharing more of their discoveries with you throughout the week! 

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, and Pallavi Dear Parents, 

This week, we are continuing our Chanukah explorations with hands-on, joyful activities designed for our young toddlers. In our sensory bin, the children will discover dreidels of different colors and work to find the matching picture cards—an inviting way to practice color recognition and visual matching skills.

We will also introduce our playful “Lots of Latkes” frying-pan activity. Using a tinfoil-covered paper plate, we’ll pretend to sizzle and pop latkes, giving the children a fun fine-motor and imaginative experience. During music time, we will revisit our dreidel song and invite the children to spin like dreidels—building body awareness, balance, and joyful movement.

As we transition into nap time each day, we will bring in flashlights to explore the concept of light shining in darkness, a central theme of Chanukah. Lying on their cots, the children will watch soft beams of light move across the ceiling, creating gentle shadows. This calm, engaging pre-nap activity not only supports visual tracking but also offers a peaceful way to connect with the symbolism of the holiday.

Warm wishes, 

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, Pallavi

Young Toddler Peek at the Week 12.01.25

Dear Parents, 

We hope you all enjoyed a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday! In our young toddler environment, we are excited to start Chanukah in our room and also introduce two new matching works to support the children’s growing concentration and problem-solving skills.

As we move into the Chanukah holiday season, the children are beginning to explore simple Chanukah-themed crafts and activities. We are singing songs such as “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Candles,” and “  Latke, Latka hop on the pan.” The children will use paint to decorate dreidels and practice counting to eight as they place candles on a Menorah. These activities offer joyful ways to build early fine-motor skills, sequencing, and number recognition.

Other new works include fall-themed picture cards—rakes, leaves, trees, and pumpkins. Another is a magnetic matching activity using familiar fruits. As the children build confidence and begin to master these materials, we will gradually rotate in lesser-known fruits, vegetables, and eventually animals. This natural progression helps strengthen visual discrimination, vocabulary development, and flexible thinking.

We look forward to sharing more of their discoveries with you throughout the week! 

Morahs Rachael, Kristy, and Pallavi

Young Toddler 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

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