Under 3

Children under 3 painting

Painting

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Painting with watercolours is an independent and creative activity offered in the classroom. Fine-motor skills are used to hold the paintbrush and make strokes, dots, lines, etc. onto paper. The process of having to first dip the brush into the water, then into the paint, and finally onto the paper develops sequencing skills. Furthermore, painting allows for exploration of the self-creative process while fulfilling the need for sensorial stimulation. After working quietly to create a masterpiece, the child then tidies up the activity, remembering that the paper towel goes in the garbage, the painting goes on the dry rack, and the paint supplies go back on the shelf.

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Items to help children self-regulate

Self-Regulation and Micro-Environments

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Learning to self-regulate is a large part of life in the Under Three Montessori classroom. One way we help children to self-regulate is by providing activities and micro-environments within our classroom that help them to up-regulate (when they need to be energized) and down-regulate (when they need to be relaxed).

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Children under 3 exploring nature in the classroom

Nature in the Classroom

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“Solicitous care for living things affords satisfaction to one of the most lively instincts of the child’s mind. Nothing is better calculated than this to awaken an attitude of foresight.” -Maria Montessori

(Please click “view” for more details on nature in an Under 3 Montessori classroom.)

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Child polishing a mirror

Polishing a Mirror

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Practical life activities give children the opportunity to participate and contribute to their community. They involve care of the self as well as the indoor and outdoor environment, grace and courtesy, and control and refinement of movement. Taking care of our classroom by polishing a mirror gives us a sense of belonging and being a productive citizen in our community.

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Child under 3 cutting with scissors

Cutting Snips with Scissors

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Cutting with scissors encourages the child to use two hands simultaneously while fostering concentration, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Learning to manipulate one’s fingers, hands, wrists, and the scissors in order to cut a thin strip of paper into many smaller pieces can be quite a challenge. Children really enjoy the cause and effect element of this activity. 

Please click “Cutting Snips with Scissors” for the photos.

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Child cutting a pear

Picnic!

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A child in our classroom told a story about going on a picnic with his family. This piqued the interest of the other children in the classroom who listened to the story, asked questions, and told their own stories of picnics and eating with their families. Another child asked if we could have a picnic on our playground at school, which other children echoed.

Please click “Picnic!” for more info and pics about our picnic!

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Infinity Place Summer BBQ

Summer BBQ

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We were excited to host our summer family BBQ! This year’s fundraising event is in support of Pancreatic Cancer Canada. We had a food truck come provide the delicious barbecued food. Fire It Up BBQ catering did an amazing job! The bake sale was also a great success. We had the generous support of our families and staff who supplied all the baked goodies. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we come together as a community. A great time was had by everyone!

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Two children having snack

Serendipitous Connection!

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Two of our Under 3 Moms who grew up together in Atlanta renewed their friendship through their children. They had not seen each other since childhood, and then recognized each other along Gerrard Street. They discovered that through a happy twist of fate, their children were also growing up together at Downtown Montessori. What a small world!

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Child under 3 signing 'rain'.

Sign Language

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Sign language, one of the forms of expression in the Under 3 community, helps children still acquiring verbal skills to communicate their needs and wants. We have a set of sign language cards that the children enjoy exploring. On each card is a picture of the object on one side and the sign on the other. The child is able to practice verbalizing and signing each word with this activity.

Please click “Sign Language” for more details and photos.

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Downtown Montessori celebrating!

We the North!

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Celebrating the Toronto Raptors – NBA Champions!! We the North!!

Please click “We the North!” for lots more photos!

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