Happy New Year! I can’t believe another year has gone by and that it is 2018. I hope that everyone had the happiest of holidays and enjoyed the winter break from school. I am excited to see how much the Pigeon Plums have grown over these last two weeks.
The month of December went by so very fast. It was lovely to have the opportunity to chat and share with everyone during Parent Teacher Conferences. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come and meet with Ms. Sarka and myself. I also want to thank everyone who helped to make the Conch Train such a successful event this year, the toddler team greatly appreciates all of your efforts!
Within the classroom, the Pigeon Plums have enjoyed working on wrapping a holiday gift, using their pincer grasps to place star shaped ornaments on a tree and grating a cinnamon stick. They really liked the scent of the grated cinnamon! We offer toddlers activities that promote the use of the pincer grasp (the ability to use the thumb and index finger to grasp an object) to strengthen the hand and fingers and to develop coordination. The pincer grasp prepares the hand for writing and it supports other activities such as using scissors, dressing and feeding oneself and many other fine motor skills one will use throughout life.
“Those children who have been able to work with their hands make headway in their development, and reach a strength of character which is conspicuous.” – Maria Montessori
This month, with winter just around the corner, the toddlers will have the opportunity to work with cold weather gear. They will be able to put on a winter hat, ear muffs, a scarf and snow boots. The Pigeon Plums will also have the opportunity to work with winter themed language cards depicting photographs of winter weather and winter activities.
Here’s to a great new year!
~Ms. Dori and Ms. Sarka
