From birth through the first 3 years, humans experience the most profound and dramatic development of life! The infant develops starting from the head down.  A process called melanization occurs that connects the child's body and promotes movement starting from the head first and ending at the feet. This is apparent in the first few months when we see the child holding up their head when placed on their tummies on a flat surface. Within a short time, the child goes from the ability to move their head, to rolling over, standing up, walking, and speaking.

The first few weeks of Montessori preschool are always a time of adjustment and many students (and parents) feel a sense of separation anxiety which is perfectly normal. Separation anxiety is often caused by fear of the unknown when it comes to a new situation or it can relate to something that is happening at home or to something that the child has just experienced before arriving at school.

Tantrums are a part of the growing process in a toddler’s life. All parents go through it, some more than others. Tantrums are a way of indicating frustration or anger that the toddler is experiencing but can’t fully express. The problem with tantrums is that if as a parent you give in, they become a common occurrence. This is especially so in the case of tantrums which involve lots of kicking, hitting, biting, and other such behavior that could injure the parent, the toddler, or an onlooker.

I would like to explain how we see art in a Montessori classroom.

            First of all, in a Montessori classroom, we emphasize the process of creating art versus the product.  This means that children should be encouraged to explore and experiment with a variety of art mediums without being made to feel that they should complete a specific project that looks a certain way.  That is why most Montessori classrooms have an art shelf that has materials available on a daily basis that allow children to practice cutting, coloring, gluing, etc.  

A big part of the Toddler's work at this time of year is spent on socialization. We continue to work on our listening and verbal skills, controlling our impulses, helping each other, and cooperation. During this period of development, the children are beginning to learn how to resolve conflicts with each other. We attempt to provide them with the tools and then observe to see whether or not they can resolve their conflicts.

This month, we have been focusing also on their ability to do things independently; dressing, putting shoes on, using the toilet, serving their water, and snacks.

Although we had a good week in the Butterfly classroom, we've had some illnesses in the classroom.  In the classroom, the materials are sanitized every day and we practice good hygiene such as washing our hands before touching the materials, after going to the bathroom, and before eating snacks or lunch. We always remind children to cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing and wash their hands after. * It is extremely important that you continue with the same practices at home and that you keep your ill child at home until he is well.

Some parents have noticed a change in their toddler’s eating habits, but although it's frustrating for parents, finicky eating is normal behavior for toddlers. Be patient and offer a variety of healthy foods for your picky toddler to choose from. Encourage your toddler to try new foods, but never force a child to eat. Include your child in grocery shopping and food preparation, as finicky eaters will be more likely to try food that they helped prepare. Remember that when it comes to picky toddlers, presentation is everything.

Children in the Butterfly Toddler Class enjoy making beautiful flower arrangements, reading books, and working with puzzles. They are still learning to improve their skill of holding a tray with material and taking it to the table. Even though they sometimes fail, they do not give up and keep trying to carry heavy objects.

What do you do when your child fails a task? Do you do it for them? Do you observe and let them try harder?