Under 2

Child under 2 working on a puzzle

Puzzles

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We offer puzzles to children on a daily basis. Activities involving fine motor development help children learn to rotate their wrists and use their fingers more constructively. Working with children help them learn to manipulate their hands in unique ways and even to use them simultaneously to complete a given task. Puzzles strengthen the muscles in the hands and wrists, promote cognitive development, and reinforce hand-eye coordination, which are skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

Please click “Puzzles” to read more about puzzle activities.

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Children watching butterflies being released into the playground

Metamorphosis of a Butterfly

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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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Under 2 car painting

Painting with cars

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Painting with cars is not only a fun sensory activity and a way to express ourselves creatively while using our imagination. It is also a way to explore various concepts such as cause and effect, hand eye coordination, and colour mixing!

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Children planting and painting to welcome spring

Welcome Spring!

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Our Under 2 program explored different cultural experiences in March that celebrate the arrival of Spring. The children participated in activities such as painting with flowers, planting seeds, transplanting spring flowers into flower pots and exploring sensory activities that incorporate colours and flowers.

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Child under 2 pouring

Pouring Activity

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The materials in the Practical Life area of the Montessori community are meant to provide children with opportunities to coordinate and refine their hand movements by means of experience, particularly through repetition. The pouring activities aim to encourage precise movement, concentration, confidence, and independence by learning to do this task independently.

Please click on “Pouring Activity” to read more about pouring activities.

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Child working on placing rings on a vertical dowel

Refinement of Movement

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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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Child under 2 scooping snow

Yeah Snow!!!

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Throughout the winter months, the children dress in their snowsuits, wear their mittens, put on their hats and boots in order to head out to the playground and play in the snow.

Please click on “Yeah Snow!!!” to continue reading and for more photos.

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Children under 2 engaged in Autumn sensory exploration

Sensorial Exploration

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Sensorial exploration is a fundamental part of development. Children absorb their environment through their senses. In the Under 2 program we are exploring what the seasons have to offer by bringing nature into the classroom and engaging our senses through sensory play.

Please click “Sensorial Exploration” for more information and photos of sensory exploration in the Autumn.

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Teacher and child under 2 playing peek-a-boo

Peek- A-Boo

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Children under 2 love to play with scarves or hats, which they discover are a lot of fun to put on or take off. One of their favourite games to play using these items is peek-a-boo! Activities such as this promote social development and receptive language skills, as well as reinforce the concept of object permanence.

Please click “Peek- A-Boo” to for more information and photos.

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Child under 2 using tongs to serve fruit

Snack in the Under 2 Classroom

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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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