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Hello parents, I first off want to thank all of you for bearing with us while we transition into full time. We feel that we are really getting our routines down. Please keep in mind that we are always trying to accommodate the needs of the children first and those of the parents second. We want to make sure that the program is working for you all so if there is something specific that you all would like, let us know. I know some of you had expressed that you’d like the kids in their pull-ups at pickup. There are varying pick up times so we decided to have everyone changed by 5. Again, if this doesn’t work for you just let us know. Also, I asked Brandi why we weren’t buying the gerber training pants at target. She doesn’t want the urine to hit the floor. The Bambinos have a vinyl liner and this also makes it easier for parents to let the children wear them out in public without having to fear cleanup. So we had a lot of rain this week but we still got outside. We were even able to get out on Thursday in the rain. The children loved it but melted down after about forty minutes. Jodi and I have noticed that the children are starting to normalize. The other day we actually had a moment where we just sat and watched the children work. They love being able to take part in caring for their environment. Someone is always cleaning the mirrors, filling the dish bins, watering the plants or washing their hands. We are dying to get our compost to start our gardening program though it needs to dry out so it can be shoveled. I have introduced more food prep activities because the children love making their own snacks and I am slowly introducing art (chalk, finger painting, and molding clay). If you are looking for an activity to engage the children, give them a clementine and loosen the peel a little so they can peel it (they like to put the peel in a bowl to then be composted) or a banana and butter knife. They do a lot of spreading too. They want to feel like they are part of something bigger so try to use the food in your meal or just serve it as a side dish. It’s worth eating spaghetti with a side of apples and nut butter just to see how proud they are. On a side note, I am working with some organic foods suppliers to sponsor our school. I am trying to start family classes that will cover a range of topics such as nutrition and cooking, toilet training, and Montessorizing your home. It is so important to me that we raise a generation of happy and healthy children and that you all have the most wonderful experience parenting your children. With that said, I want to ask you to not let your toddlers watch TV. I know this is hard but just google the effects of letting a toddler watch TV and you will feel inspired. I’m sure you all know that it leads to obesity and aggression but studies have shown that for every hour a day that your toddler watches the TV, the chance of developing ADHD increases by ten percent. When you let your toddler watch TV, you are setting a terrible precedent for stimulation. TV over stimulates children under age 2 and you are showing them that this is acceptable and normal. They will expect this type of stimulation all the time and this will backfire on you badly. They need opportunities to find their own entertainment. One of the worst effects of TV is that your children don’t learn to play on their own. If your child is fussy while you are making dinner, hand them a bowl of cornstarch and water and let them play. If you need to clean the bathroom, stick them in the tub with a sponge and a squirt bottle. I know this is hard to do at first, but leaving the TV off gets easier and will result in a healthier child and a more unified family. –Ellie and Jodi Alon: Jodi informed me that he has had a surge in testosterone. We’ve been having him do all the moving and heavy lifting in the class. He puts the cots down and helps me move the tables and chairs. I have the other children ask Alon to carry and empty the water into the dish bins if they fill the pitcher too much. He is the only one who can do it and enjoys helping out. I have definitely noticed that he needs more opportunities like this. Once the inclement weather subsides, he will have a lot to do on the patio preparing for potting plants. We will start to borrow materials from Brandi’s room (pouring and transferring). He ate like a champ on Friday. After nap he got straight up and prepared his own snacks. He did clay modeling for a minute then went back to eating. I wanted to give you praise for nursing for as long as you did. For a Montessori classroom to thrive, the children must trust the guide. Nursing creates a bond between mother and child that helps children feel loved and nurtured and helps them trust people more easily. I can tell which children have been nursed into toddler hood as they are calmer, more trusting, and more aware of their own bodies and abilities. Please believe me that the nursing was worth it as Alon is absolutely thriving in our classroom.

At Home:

Alon had a late night with Rocket on Thursday while Momma and Papa went to see Avatar.  He was overtired and difficult when we got home, but it was worth it.  He is using lots of new words and new combinations this weekend.  New signs of independence and challenging his body, mean that we need to be more vigilant.  He wants to be useful and if he is not being useful he will be busy. That generally means he is making a mess.

He is interested in longer books. “Oh the Places You’ll Go” is a current favorite and he is starting to tell me the story as we go through the book. Track continues to be a favored toy.I hide the track away when not in use to decrease its rotation.

Alon is very organized in his activity.  He comes in the door and takes his shoes off and hangs his coat.  He thrives on the order of the classroom.

Last week was his first full week of school and he showed some signs of stress.  Those seem to have subsided.

On Sunday we played with lumi sticks as a family.  Alon was ecstatic.  Banging sticks together, as a family, inside?  He loved it and kept rhythm very well.

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