Coatsworth

Butterfly on a log

Butterflies With a Wish

After watching our caterpillars undergo a metamorphosis into butterflies, we released them into our garden and beyond. We wished them well and added our wishes for world peace, and for everyone around the world to have enough food to eat; clean, plentiful water; somewhere safe to live; and to have people to love and to love them. Maybe the butterflies will come back to visit!

Please click “Butterflies With a Wish” for the Ancient Aboriginal Butterfly Legend and more photos.

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Children watching butterflies being released into the playground

Metamorphosis of a Butterfly

We had the opportunity to witness the metamorphosis of a butterfly. We received many containers with a caterpillar in each. In the days following, we observed each of the caterpillars molt and evolve into a chrysalis and then emerge as a beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly. The butterflies dried their wings and we were able to watch their proboscis (tongue) uncoil as they sipped the Gatorade from the mesh. Later we gathered in the playground to set the butterflies free into their natural habitat. What an amazing experience!

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Child working on the Dot Game

Math: The Dot Game

The Dot Game is one of the most advanced Casa math materials. The child must be very familiar with the hierarchy of the decimal system in order to process various mathematical operations. In particular, carrying over becomes visual and manual, which solidifies the child’s understanding.

Please click on “Math: The Dot Game” for more information.

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Children engaging in a flower yoga pose

Yoga Class

The children take part in a weekly yoga class with Cheeba. In this picture, the children are working together to form a flower with their bodies! Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and meditation that involves slow movements and deep breathing. It helps the children become aware of and gain control of their bodies, aids in relaxation, balance, a sense of calmness, and the development of self-discipline.

Please click “Yoga Class” to see more photos.

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Child on top of a snow mound

Winter Fun!

Our outdoor environment allows children to enhance their equilibrium, gross motor and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and to coordinate the whole body working together while developing independence. It allows children to form a relationship with nature, to enjoy and care for it and discover our interdependence with nature.
The children are encouraged to discover and preserve the beauty around them while experiencing inner peace and tranquility, a process Dr. Montessori called “cosmic education”.

Please click “Winter Fun!” for more photos.

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Child working on placing rings on a vertical dowel

Refinement of Movement

Placing cubes on a vertical dowel aids a child’s growing ability to use the small muscles of their hands, sharpen hand-eye coordination, and explore different finger grasps.

Please click on “Refinement of Movement” to see more information and photos.

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Children playing the ukulele

Music Class with Adriana

In our Montessori environment, it is important that the children have a well-rounded array of experiences, giving them the opportunity to find their passion in life. Our music teacher Adriana creates fun and engaging classes consisting of three components. The children work in small groups to learn the ukulele and others work with the bells. We then have all of the children come together to sing, learn musical vocabulary, notes, rhythms and play instruments.

Please click on “Music Class with Adriana” to see more photos.

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Child working on constructive triangles

Constructive Triangles: Large Hexagonal Box

The child is invited to take out a pair of matching triangles and trace the black line with the index and middle finger. One triangle is used as the “control” and the other is moved slowly along the matching black lines to create a larger triangle. Different sets of triangles can be put together, and then the child can combine the shapes to create various patterns.

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Children raking leaves

Leaves, Leaves and More Leaves!

Our Under 3 Montessori community participates in keeping our environment beautiful and well maintained. In Autumn, we rake up the fallen leaves and jump on them when the opportunity arises! We collect the leaves and place them in a yard waste bag. What a wonderful way to appreciate our environment and promote being an active participant in our community!

Please click “Leaves, Leaves and More Leaves!” for more information and photos.

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Child under 2 using tongs to serve fruit

Snack in the Under 2 Classroom

The children in our Under 2 classroom are invited to share a snack at our child-sized table and chairs, building their social skills, grace and courtesy. Age appropriate dishes and utensils are used to help with self-serving and self-feeding, aiding in the growth of the children’s confidence and abilities.

Please click on “Snack in the Under Two Classroom” to see more photos and information.

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