Welcome 2017!
We are looking forward to more.....
wonderful adventures....
quiet contemplation....
proud moments....
warm friendships....
and FUN!!! :o)
May you find the same delightful things in your year ahead!
Yoga for Kids!
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| Yoga for Kids! (ages 6-10 yrs.) Yoga wil help your child: *tune in & listen to their body *learn how to be healthy in a fun & playful way *develop strength, coordination & flexibility *increase their concentration & focus by learning mindfulness *make new friends in a safe & supportive environment *better deal with stress & anxiety *feel happy, peaceful & AWESOME Thursdays 4:15-5:00 p.m. The Modern Market, Alliston call: 705-250-5522 to register NOW **Spring session Mar. 31st - May 26th, 2016** |
What's cooking??
Hey Good Lookin’ ~ What’s cookin’?! Here at MFS we LOVE to talk about food! The fact is, being part of food preparation and enjoyment is an important piece of the Montessori pie. Helping to prepare foods is FUN and provides the opportunity for learning on so many levels. When a child is involved in scrubbing, chopping, mixing and measuring it allows them to develop their fine-motor coordination, attention to detail and concentration. Someone who prepares a snack for themselves and their friends is usually open and excited about trying the foods; whether new or familiar. Not to mention it lets them feel capable and helpful within their school community (...which later translates into their larger community!) Whether we are scrubbing the carrots for snack, picking herbs for tea, gathering apples from the local orchard, growing sprouts or sampling foods from another part of the world, there is always to much to discuss! We emphasize that it is good to be interested in where our food comes from and to be grateful to the Earth for such gifts. We talk about healthy foods and why we should eat them often. We give thanks to the bees for pollination, the worms for aeration, the birds for seed dispersal and the farmers for sharing the fruits of their labour. This attitude of gratitude can begin early in life and reminds us not to waste our food as well. So...what are you waiting for? Grab your child, get into the kitchen and have some fun! :o
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Spices smell so delicious when you grind them with a mortar & pestle!
Chopping veggies for our Harvest Soup is good team work.
Look at that concentration!
We love potatoes. :o)
We learned how to deseed a pomegranate in a fun way!
Apples are amazing!
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Go with the flow....
People often ask me, “Why are Montessori schools special?” My answer is usually lengthy, as I try to relay what I witness in the classroom each day. I attempt to explain the many ways that Montessori education meets the needs of children...good thing I like to chat! :o) However, to cut to the chase would be to say that Montessori classrooms create environments in which children can “flow.” This term not only means that children are free to move about, choose where they sit and go from one activity to the next at their own pace. It also means that children are given an uninterrupted work time in which they choose the work they are interested in. In doing so they reach a deep level called “flow learning.” Flow learning is when someone reaches a zone of complete concentration which allows him/her to work at their full potential. This allows them to feel energized, fulfilled and learn things easily. Now doesn’t that sound like what we all need?
When children are in the "flow" they often repeat their work many, many times.
They are not interested in what is going on around them but rather in the details of their task at hand.
It's quite amazing to witness their intent as they work.
The concentration is often palpable.
Diwali!
Yet another wonderful aspect of Montessori education is how we celebrate cultures from around the world. We love to learn about many celebrations and festivals throughout the year in a multi-sensory manner. In doing so, the children glean an impression and appreciation for the rich, cultural diversity that makes up our world. Recently MFS celebrated Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. By tasting delicious fruits, smelling fragrant spices, feeling beautiful, hand-stitched fabrics and hearing traditional music and stories we explored the culture of India. What a bright and colourful week it was. Happy Diwali!
Harvest Time
Despite the cooler temperatures we continue to be busy both indoors and out!
We've been harvesting dry bean pods and saving seeds. It's always so exciting to crack those pods & see the beautiful seeds inside!
We've been harvesting dry bean pods and saving seeds. It's always so exciting to crack those pods & see the beautiful seeds inside!
We've also been using all of those delicious apples we picked at Avalon Orchards to make apple sauce and apple/carrot muffins! Mmmmm.....
We've been beautifying our Children's Garden by planting some lovely perennials. Lavender is our favourite!
As well as taking nature walks to enjoy the gorgeous colours and neighbourhood friends who share their gardens! :o)
Hooray for Harvest Time!
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