A very warm welcome to The Children’s House to all our wonderful new and returning children and their families!! We have a short week to settle everyone back in, and we will be focusing on getting to know each other & the class routine, learning each others’ names, practising how we walk slowly, talk quietly, carry chairs and trays in the classroom (refining gross motor movements), and lots of songs, games, and fun activities in circle time – we really can’t wait to get to know the classes!

All of the activities in the classroom are chosen with intent & purpose depending on the children’s & class’s needs, & at this time of year many are based on refining gross & fine motor movements, especially in the Practical Life area. As an example, we might start with an activity of pouring large pasta from 1 jug to another, then rice, then progress to water when the child has mastered the rice, then pouring using a funnel, then pouring into 3 containers – introducing pre maths (division). Montessori materials & activities progress in this way from simple to complex at the child’s pace, in order to stimulate & progress their learning.

Circle Time Song

Hello everyone and how are you today?
We’ve come to our circle time to sing and laugh and play!
And when we’re up we’re up, and when we’re down we’re down,
And when we’re only halfway up we’re neither up nor down.
So roll your hands so slowly, and roll your hands so fast –
Give your hands a clap clap clap,
And place them on your lap lap lap!

Bumble Bee Song

Bumble bee, bumble bee,
Won’t you say your name for me?
(Child’s name), (child’s name),
Bumble bee, bumble bee,
Won’t you say your name for me?
(Until each child has said their name)