Welcome to the Toddler House!

We will be starting a new Science and Geography unit during the month of May.

In our Geography unit, we will begin the study of South America. The Amazon River and rain forest will be featured in our studies.

We'll learn more about Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day and read stories honoring Mother's Day.  

Our Science studies this month will begin with the study of the different parts of the Earth.

Our featured artist this month, will be Piet Mondrian and we will begin listening to the wonderful sounds of Verdi during the work cycle.

 This week the letter we will showcase is the letter "X"

Your child is invited to show the item brought in at mid-morning group. All items will go home at the end of the week.

We have been fortunate enough to have Ms. Patty join us again this year in the Toddler House every Wednesday from 11:15-11:45 for Music & Movement.

Music is "magical." Music is an emotional release. It brings out the best in us - it makes us feel good inside.

The value of music is important to young children. Music allows children to use their imaginations and creativity. In many schools, children are singing, clapping, chanting, marching, skipping and simple dancing. They are involved in all kinds of music and movement activities. Children learn so much through music. When children participate in music and movement, many areas of the brain are activated. Music and movement are important ways for young children to demonstrate their intelligence. Music impacts young children's development: knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.

Just think, for many years, mothers have rocked their babies to sleep singing lullabies. Mothers have played movement games and sang silly songs to entertain their toddlers. Babies would fall fast to sleep and the toddlers would laugh and giggle, and ask for "more."

Children naturally connect music with body movement. With the flow of the music, children move their bodies and express their thoughts and feelings through dance. They learn that dance begins with the awareness of the movement of their body and their potential for creativity, and as they become aware of their body and explore movement, they begin to recognize and appreciate themselves and others. Every child's ability for music and movement should be maximized. Children will practice and learn appropriate behaviors through music. They will learn how to handle and place the instruments back where they belong when they are finished.

Our Toddlers have also been blessed with the opportunity to enjoy some Yoga on Monday's from 10-10:30. Yoga teaches children techniques for relaxation and self-health that can help them better manage life's challenges. Children can use the thinking, breathing and stretching skills they learn in yoga. Evidence suggests yoga can calm children and improve their concentration skills. A neuroscientist at Harvard who evaluates the effects of yoga actually suggest that this form of therapy promotes focus, which can lead to increased attention spans and awareness skills in children.

Another special we have incorporated into our Montessori classroom is art. We have been blessed to have Ms. Sue from Art Van Go join us 1/month for art class on Tuesday's from 9:30-10:30.

The Importance of Art in a Child's Development:

Children Develop Life Skills through Art Activities

Art may seem like fun and games -- and it is! -- but you may not realize that your child is actually learning a lot through exploring the arts and doing art activities. Your children will gain useful life skills through art, so encourage them to get creative, and you will quickly see that your children are picking up these skills:

Communication Skills: When a child draws a picture, paints a portrait, or hangs buttons from a wobbly mobile, that child is beginning to communicate visually. A child may draw to document an actual experience like playing in the park, release feelings of joy by painting swirling colors, or share an emotionally charged experience like the passing of a loved one through art. Art goes beyond verbal language to communicate feelings that might not otherwise be expressed.

Problem-Solving Skills: When children explore art ideas, they are testing possibilities and working through challenges, much like a scientist who experiments and finds solutions. Should I use a shorter piece of yarn to balance my mobile? This tape isn't holding -- what should I try instead? How did I make brown -- I thought I made orange? Art allows children to make their own assessments, while also teaching them that a problem may have more than one answer. Instead of following specific rules or directions, the child's brain becomes engaged in the discovery of "how" and "why." Even when experimenting or learning how to handle art materials effectively, children are solving challenges and coming up with new ways to handle unexpected outcomes.

Social & Emotional Skills: Art helps children come to terms with themselves and the control they have over their efforts. Through art, they also practice sharing and taking turns, as well as appreciating one another's efforts. Art fosters positive mental health by allowing a child to show individual uniqueness as well as success and accomplishment, all part of a positive self-concept.

Fine Motor Skills: Fine motor skills enable a child do things like delicately turn the page of a book or fill in a sheet of paper with written words. Holding a paintbrush so that it will make the desired marks, snipping paper with scissors into definite shapes, drawing with a crayon, or squeezing glue from a bottle in a controlled manner all help develop a child's fine motor skills and control of materials.

Self-Expression and Creativity

Children express themselves through art on a fundamental level. Sometimes their artwork is the manifestation of that expression, but more often, the physical process of creating is the expression. Picture the toddler who has a new baby sister busily pummeling his fists into Play-Doh; a six-year-old joyfully painting flowers with huge arm movements blending, reds and yellows; a ten year-old drawing a portrait of her grandmother who recently passed away. Creating art allows children to work through feelings and emotions, and referring to a finished piece of artwork helps a child talk about feelings in a new and meaningful way. Art also develops a child's creativity. Rather than being told what to do, answers and directions come from the child. Art is an experience that requires freethinking, experimentation, and analysis -- all part of creativity.

It is important, however, to separate the notion of "talent" from "creativity" -- a child does not have to create a masterpiece to have a meaningful artistic experience. Art is a process, not a product. It's tempting to want our children's art to turn out "cookie-cutter perfect" to prove that they are successful and on track. It's reassuring to know that we can relax! Where art is concerned, it is the process of creating -- exploring, discovering, and experimenting -- that has the greatest value. Through self-expression and creativity, children's skills will develop naturally, and their ability to create will soar.

An art enthusiast said, "It seems art is the one area where kids and their creativity have free reign."

Some important things to keep in mind about Montessori Toddler education:

I wanted to review some of our goals and our task to aid children in their work of self-creation:

Montessori Toddler Program Primary Goals:

• Provides the child with a sense of security
• Developmental areas help the child help themseves

Using hands-on materials in keeping up with the Montessori principles and philosophy.

The Montessori classroom is a meticulously prepared environment designed specifically to meet the needs of the child both physically and emotionally. One aspect of the prepared environment includes the Practical Life activities. Many Practical Life activities are tasks the child sees routinely performed in the home. They each serve a meaningful purpose as the child masters each piece of work such as tying shoes, pouring water, sweeping, or sewing and cooking. Through Practical Life activities, a child will also develop and refine social skills. These skills developed through Practical Life build self-esteem, determination and independence.

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Gym Like This!

Ages 9 months & up

Recreational and Competitive Programs

just East of I-95, between Northlake & Blue Heron

OPEN FOR ADVENTURES DAILY!

Sunday-Thursday: 11am-6pm

Friday & Saturday: 11am-8pm

Admission: $1.00off w/ coupon from Parenting Plus

Join them on Wednesday's for Mommy and Me classes from 11-12:15 or on friday's from 11-12:15

Fridays: We're on a Safari

For ages 2-4. Grad your safari hat and strap on hiking boots for a wild adventure through the vast animal kingdom. Explore a different animal each week. 

Admission: $1.00off w/coupon from Parenting Plus

Wednesday

Toddler Storytime 

West Palm Beach Library

411 Clematis Street

561-868-7703

10:30-11:30am& 2:00-3:00

NEW! Green Market

FREE!

4301 Burns Road

Palm Beach Gardens

Sunday Mornings! 

561-630-1107

Come enjoy livew music and shop for prepared food and drink items, plants, flowers, produce and handmade crafts.

 Join us for a Garden Walk through the native butterfly garden at the historic home at 2pm. Learn what types of plants butterflies like.

Admission is $4

ages 3 and up

142 S. Ocean Blvd.

Delray Beach, Florida

561-274-7263

Hatchling Tales: Children's Story Time

Loggerhead Marine

14200 U.S. Hwy 1

Juno Beach

561-627-8280

10:30-11:30am

Every Wednesday!

Bring your "hatchlings" for ocean inspired stories, crafts, and more. Storytimes are a wonderful opportunities for our youngest audiences to enjoy books, music, and group activities.

Open to Public and FREE!

 Clamatis By Night every Thursday of the Month

in Centennial Square West Palm BEach, Fl.

from 6-9:30pm

Mommy & Me

11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave.

Centre Court

Palm Beach Gardens

561-340-1600

Wednesday's

11:00-1pm

FREE!

Bring the kiddies to Downtown, special morning out on the last Wednesday of the month for an active learning and creative play at all your favorite stores.