Every April, we take a day to appreciate everything our planet has to offer us. The outside classroom gets to enjoy nature every day. The children have an chance to show their appreciation for Earth Day by making it a cleaner place. Since April has been a very windy month we have had plenty of trash to pick up. Sweeping and watering our plants gives the children opening to work together to help keep our classroom clean and safe. Earth Day gives us all the opportunity to show our appreciation for the planet we call home.

There’s an excitement about March. Warmer days, with the promise of spring just around the corner. Trees and flowers in bloom, birds, bee’s and dragonflies shift our focus to rejuvenation and rebirth.

We spent a good portion of the month keeping our outdoor classroom environment clean. With all of the wind we had there was plenty of things we could do. Picking up the trash was the least favorite daily activity. Sweeping on the other hand was a very popular activity. Sweeping requires a lot of coordination and concentration. The kids were eager to grab a broom and brush it around. Of course, they enjoy waving the broom around, but to be able to really clean up made them feel confident and proud. It involved purposefully dirtying up the sidewalks so everyone could have a turn at sweeping. So much fun! Sweeping and picking up trash made them more aware of our environment.

January marks the beginning of a new year and colder temperatures. The outdoor classroom encourages the use of the whole body by offering a place to play and exercise. Being outside encourages curiosity and imagination. After hour and hours of engaging with children, Maria Montessori observed: “The best way of invigorating a child is to immerse him in nature”- it’s good for the mind, soul and body. This month we added a sensory pathway. It is a path that is colorful, creative and playful way for the kids to build connections that are responsible for sight, touch and sound. It gives the kids a chance to hop, stomp, march and tiptoe that help develop motor skills, including balance, hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. As the kids follow the path and complete the movements, they work off excess energy. We added the planets and continents to help the recognize and name them. Walking on cups has been a fun activity the kids have enjoyed this month as well as imaginative play in the mud kitchen.

And just like that, our first semester comes to an end, filled with great moments and stories to tell. Your children are blooming and our school is full of love, smiles, curiosity and great fun because of them. I feel blessed to be able to see each of them grown and learn.

We thank you for your support and trust. I thank you for your thoughtful and generous gifts! It’s truly appreciated.

May the wonder and joy of this holiday season bring light, hope and peace to you and yours,

May 2022 be a great year for all of us, filled with happiness and health!

Enjoy some photo’s of some of the things we did in the outdoor classroom this month!

Stay safe and see you next year!

All the best,

Ms Gayle