City Place

A collage of the process of the art created by the children in March

March Art

During March, Casa East engaged in various types of artwork. In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, we painted cardstock with blue and yellow tempera paints, and squeezed wet glue and gold glitter onto it. For Easter, we used water and a paint brush to wet an egg shape on cardstock, placed coloured tissue paper onto it, and peeled the tissue off once it was dry. (Click to see our work and more information!)

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A collage of children learning the Second Step process during group time

Second Step: Social-Emotional Learning

Social – emotional skills are essential to healthy child development. By instilling empathy, self-regulation, and effective communication skills early on, we lay a sturdy foundation for success in school and in life. Casa West is exploring Second Step, a compass guiding the children towards understanding emotions, developing problem-solving abilities, and establishing positive relationships. (Click to find out how and for the full photos.)

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A collage of a child holding and then squeezing water out of a sponge

Water Absorption

Squeezing and releasing a sponge while transferring water from bowl to bowl strengthens the small muscles in the dominant hand and wrist while refining eye-hand coordination. The child also notices the scientific concept of absorption. Moving from left to right indirectly prepares the child for reading and writing. (Please click for more information.)

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A collage of children undoing latches on a board

Latch Board

The latch board allows the child to practice and eventually master opening and closing a variety of latches. This activity fosters fine motor skills, self-help skills, and independence. The child also experiences the relationship between cause and effect. (Please click for the full photos.)

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A collage of children caring for the environment

Care of the Environment

Care of the environment plays a crucial role in our development. Maintaining a clean and orderly classroom is so important as it teaches children how to take care of the space around them, which then internalizes as appreciation for one’s environment. When children feel involved, they begin to understand they are part of a larger community, which builds on self-worth and empathy. (Please click for more information and the full photos.)

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A collage of children making puffy ghost art

Creating Ghosts!

The Casa West children mixed glue and shaving cream to create a foamy substance, spooned some of the mixture onto coloured paper, spread it out, then added googly eyes. As the mixture dried, the puffy ghosts started to appear! (Please click for more photos and information.)

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A child mopping a floor

Mopping – Practical Life

Practical Life activities, such as mopping, are prominent features of the Toddler Montessori curriculum. Caring for the environment demonstrates an understanding of responsibility and safety in the classroom for oneself and their classmates. (Please click for more information.)

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A collage of children holding a magnetic tool over a magnetic bead maze and colouring with a crayon

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills involve the coordination of small muscle movements between eye, hand, wrist, and fingers. A variety of fine motor activities are accessible daily to the children in addition to programmed learning opportunities. Children can be seen using creative, sensory and cognitive activities that encourage the use of fine motor skills. (Please click for the full photos.)

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A collage of the tent filled with activities and the tent with children in the playgound

Camping Experience

One of the fun activities that we can do in the summer is camping! Through books, songs, and conversations, we learned that we need a tent, a flashlight, a cooler, sleeping bag, and of course, some interesting books. We also talked about disconnecting from screens and electronics and being in nature; an integral part of the Montessori philosophy. (Please click for more information and photos.)

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A collage of children placing items on the medicine wheel and children tapping on an indigenous drum

National Indigenous History Month

In honour of this special month, the children have been learning about the Anishnaabe Medicine Wheel and its symbolism. Learning about the medicine wheel helps young children understand the cycles and balance of life, the Earth, seasons, and time. We also enjoyed playing rhythms on our Indigenous drum together. Please click to find out what the items on the medicine wheel represent and for more photos!

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