February 2023

Honeybee

Spring is coming, Honeybees! 

Firstly, we’d like to welcome a new face into our classroom! If you see baby Nolan around, be sure to give him and his family a warm welcome to our Honeybee family. We are so joyful to watch our weather become warmer as we get to spend more time outside. February has brought us lots of showers to ensure our Arizona desert will come back to life.   

This new season brings us new life, both to the environment and to the children. We’ve witnessed so many new phases of infancy, including first steps, first foods, and even first words! With the new leaves and grass growing around us, alongside are the children eager to grow too! Have you noticed your child excited to crawl around outside? Expect lots of curiosity surrounding your child as spring blossoms around us.  

“The child has a different relation to his environment from ours… the child absorbs it.  The things he sees are not just remembered; they form part of his soul.  He incarnates in himself all in the world about him that his eyes see and his ears hear.” (The Absorbent Mind, p.56) 

We love our Honeybee family! If you have any questions or comments, please contact Susan@creoschool.org or Nido@creoschool.org.  

Butterfly

Good day to all! 

We are nearing the end of the semester so quickly! Conferences are coming up soon so be on the lookout for the sign-up link. This semester, our meeting will be held after school, without classroom observations and we wil talk about the progress we’ve observed this semester and also a time to share what you’ve seen at home or if you have question in some areas at home. I am here to help!  

This month we have been working on Grace and courtesy in the classroom. While Grace and courtesy is practiced year-round, we have made an effort to emphasize the importance of the adults in the classroom saying more ”please” and “thank you”, “you’re welcome”, and “excuse me, I’m passing through”, and “I’m sorry”. These words are so important out in the world and we find every (appropriate) opportunity to use them, that way, when the chance arises, we can remind them of the correct words to use instead of yelling, pushing, etc. In the environment, we do not force a child to say “I’m sorry” but, rather, we practice it ourselves as the adults in the environment. When bumping into others, we will use these words and make sure the child is hurt or if they are in need of an ice pack. We quickly begin to see other children looking out others and even asking “why did you say sorry?” We love to see the connections and their little brains at work! 

Warmly, 

Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Yohanna 

Hummingbird

Hello Hummingbird families!

The children come ready to work each day! This month they have been working to expand on the skills they developed since the start of the Spring semester, becoming more independent day by day. The children continue to work on mastering their coordination by carrying baskets, trays, buckets of water, etc. to the workspaces. Daily, the children improve their gross and fine motor skills by having the freedom to choose the materials, and work with them freely, while at the same time learning the limits surrounding their work.  

Maria Montessori believed everything has an order and path that we need to follow. She observed in nature there’s always an order that helps us continue to evolve as a civilization. She believed there has to be order so humans can fulfill their needs, without order things cannot exist.  

For humans to fulfill their needs there has to be freedom. Every human is born with the right to be free. The rules/limits are there to help the child adapt to the environment and make sense of the world. Without structure, it’s difficult for the child to make sense of this world. Within the toddler’s world, the main goal for them is self-construction, which is developed by letting the child explore freely. By exploring freely, the child will be able to understand their physical capabilities and develop their skills.  

Freedom and limits work hand in hand. The younger the child, the more they need order and structure, toddlers are in a sensitive period of order. They rely upon the physical order in the space to feel secure and safe, which help establishes points of reference. The child needs freedom they can handle. All of the freedom and limits help them to adapt to the environment and develop the child’s independence, and self-confidence. 

We strive for grace and courtesy towards ourselves, others, and our materials. The toddlers have opportunities to practice this daily and we are grateful to be part of this amazing journey that we all get to share together! Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you during conference week!  

Warmly,  

Ms. Kat and Ms. Shelby 

Squirrel

Hola Squirrel Familias!  

February was filled with lots of friendship, rain and banana bread! We focused on showing compassion to our younger friends as we have new faces. We model grace and courtesy to our friends who were upset, asking them if they were ok and if they needed a hug or ice pack to be comforted <3  

As our weather gave us a chance to talk about the rain, clouds, and wind, we took the time to open our doors while it was raining and give the children the chance to observe the raindrops. The children were curious about the darkness in our classroom. We explained that the clouds covered the sun, so it makes the sky look cloudy and the wind makes the air feel chilly. Such a great sensorial experience to offer more vocabulary through experience!  

This month I was fortunate to attend the AMI refresher course and it was a great reminder of the little moments we share a connection with the children. The topic was about being present with the children and to remember that during the rough moments the children need us the most. When they are upset and need help to emotionally recuperate, we guide them through their emotions and explain what happened. The children need to feel a genuine connection with their caregivers to accept guidance from us.  

After being inside for two days on a rainy-day schedule for playground time, we took our first day back to the playground with lots of happiness!  

Ms. Nadia and Ms. Alexis