September 2026
Honeybee
Hola familia Honeybee!
Our weather is changing, and with that, our nature experiences are increasing! We got to watch some rain and even hear thunder from our door! Our baby community is on the run! As we have mostly walkers, even our youngest baby is taking steps as she observes everyone around her and tries standing on her own.
One of the beautiful things we get to observe during this stage is the beginning of independence. For a baby, independence does not mean doing everything on their own. It can be as simple as having the opportunity to reach for something, try a new movement, choose between two options, or participate in everyday routines.
Our role is to create opportunities and then give them the time and space to try. Sometimes this means resisting the urge to immediately help and instead taking a moment to observe: What are they trying to do? What can they already do? What might they be ready to try next?
This is also where freedom within limits becomes so important. Our babies have freedom to move, explore, and make choices within a safe and carefully prepared environment. We provide the boundaries, while allowing them to discover their abilities within those boundaries. A baby who is learning to walk, for example, needs the freedom to practice, fall safely, get back up, and try again.
These small opportunities may not seem like much in the moment, but they are the beginning of something much bigger. As their awareness and abilities grow, so do their opportunities. What begins with reaching for a toy or pulling up to stand eventually becomes helping with dressing, carrying belongings, feeding themselves, and participating in their environment.
Independence starts long before a child can do something completely on their own. It starts with the opportunity to try. 💛
This month we also got to join our whole Creo community and sing “Peace Like a River,” the Spanish version “Paz Como un Río,” and “Light a Candle for Peace.” Our babies were all mesmerized as they watched the whole school come together and sing songs they were familiar with from our own classroom. It was such a sweet moment to see them recognize something from their own community and experience it together with the larger Creo community.
As part of our Nido journey, we also have two future toddlers moving up next month, and we wish them all the best with the big kids! Haha! Cooper and Iliana, we will miss you! We will still see you in the playground, and we cannot wait to keep watching you grow, explore, and learn new things. Make sure to stop by and say hello! <3
It is always bittersweet to see our babies move on, but watching them become more confident and capable is one of the most special parts of our work. We are so proud of you both and excited for this next chapter!
With love and gratitude,
Ms. Nadia and Ms. Luz
Butterfly
Dear Butterfly Familia,
September in the Butterfly Classroom 🦋
I can’t believe it’s already going to be October! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming everyone back to school, and now our Butterfly friends are becoming more and more comfortable with their classroom routines, their friends, and all the little responsibilities that come with being part of our classroom community.
One area we have been enjoying in our classroom is Practical Life. Practical Life activities are such an important part of the Montessori environment because they allow children to participate in meaningful, everyday tasks while developing independence, concentration, coordination, and confidence.
Our toddlers especially love activities that allow them to use their hands and do something that feels “real.” Some of the Practical Life experiences we have been enjoying include peeling and slicing eggs, peeling mandarins, pressing lemons to make lemon water, spreading sunflower butter onto crackers, and slicing apples and pears. We also enjoy baking together and caring for our classroom environment by cleaning, organizing, and helping to take care of the things around us.
What I love most about these activities is seeing how proud the children are when they realize, “I did it myself!” A simple task like peeling a mandarin or spreading sunflower butter may seem small to us, but for a toddler, it is an opportunity to practice patience, fine-motor skills, concentration, and independence.
And the best part is that Practical Life doesn't have to stop when we leave school! Many of these same opportunities can easily be incorporated at home. Inviting your child to help peel a banana or mandarin, spread something on toast, wash fruits and vegetables, help prepare a snack, wipe the table, or assist with simple baking gives them a chance to participate in everyday family life.
Sometimes the simplest tasks make the biggest impact. By giving our toddlers the opportunity to help, participate, and do things for themselves, we are helping them build skills that will stay with them long beyond the classroom.
We hope everyone has a wonderful fall break! 🍂🤎
Love,
Miss Daisy & Miss Rebecca 💗
Hummingbird
Dear Hummingbird Familia,
Welcome to September! We are off to an amazing start to the school year. The children are becoming increasingly comfortable with our daily routines and strengthening their friendships each day. We have seen wonderful growth as they learn to work at tables and on floor rugs, prepare their own snacks, and develop independence with toileting, diaper changes, and dressing themselves. They are also learning to respect one another’s work and observe their classmates with care.
Throughout the month, we practiced singing “Peace Like a River,” “Paz Como Un Río,” and “Light a Candle for Peace”during circle time in preparation for our annual Peace Day celebration in the gym. It is always heartwarming to hear children from across the school sing together in unison. Our toddlers watched with amazement, and some joined in with everyone.
This month, we also held our first Parent Community meeting in the classroom, where we discussed ways to support the growth of our toddlers’ independence. For anyone who was unable to attend, we have shared a summary of the topics covered below.
Independence grows when toddlers are given time, trust, and meaningful opportunities to participate. In the classroom, children choose purposeful work, care for materials, practice self-care, and follow consistent routines with gentle guidance. At home, families can nurture these same skills by offering simple choices, inviting children to help with daily tasks, creating accessible spaces, and allowing extra time for them to try things on their own. Together, these experiences build confidence, coordination, responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging.
Montessori at Home: Independence
Offer two simple choices: “Would you like the blue cup or the green cup?”
Invite your child to help with meaningful tasks such as placing napkins, wiping a spill, or putting clothes in a basket.
Allow extra time for your child to try dressing, washing hands, and carrying belongings independently.
Use clear, respectful language and name what your child sees and does.
Create a low, consistent place for shoes, a coat, and a few carefully chosen toys or books.
Thank you for partnering with us as your child grows in independence and confidence. We are grateful for the trust you place in us and look forward to a beautiful month of discovery together.
Warmly,
Ms. Kat and Ms. Kayla
Squirrel
Hello families!
September has been a busy and joyful month in the Squirrel classroom! From our hard work last month in learning our environment and routine, we are seeing the children come more out of their shell and explore their environment, being able to anticipate their next activity, and have an easier time during transitions! During our two-hour work cycle, we are seeing children enjoy being a helpful member of their community. Cleaning tables, unload dish washer, putting back work to a shelf.
In perfect time for that fall season, for snack we have had apples and cheese. Some children sliced apples, as using an apples slicer is difficult to use, the older children really had to use their full effort to cut the apple, we saw the children being proud of the fruits of their own labor!! We also got to bake corn bread; it was an introduction for many children on how to crack and egg. We enjoyed the corn bread during lunch; this may have been why you’ve seen corn bread in their lunch boxes! We observe the children have ton of interest in working with food. Orange peeling is always a fan favorite in the classroom. This simple activity can be done at home while providing your child with many benefits. Such as their fine motor skills, then digging into the skill and pulling, using both hands at once, strengthen their tiny muscles in their fingers, and indirectly preparing them for scissors and pencils one day! It takes a moment for peeling the orange, naturally teaching them to be patience and after their success and even failed attempts give them confidence to be more independent.
We are seeing a smoother transition into welcoming the children and separating from the door to be welcomed by Ms. Lucy to help to use the bathroom. That is when they are invited to either snack if its available or to choose a work from the shelf. The transition from recess to lunch and nap is observed to come easier for the children. Thank you, all parents, for ensuring that you sign in and out, this is extremely helpful!
September 21 was our Peace Day celebration! It was special to come together as a whole school and sign songs that remind us of the importance of peace and our wish for a peaceful world. The children were very interested in how they all were wearing the same shirt that day!
As a reminder that October 2nd will be a half day and starting October 5th through the 9th will be our fall break!
Can’t wait for October and to see what is new and interesting for our children. Hope all is well!
Warmly,
Ms. Morgan and Ms. Lucy
