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