Spring has transformed the outside classroom with beautiful shades of green, brightly colored flowers, birds chirping from the tree tops and bees flying flower to flower collecting pollen and nectar. Natures life cycle unfolding right before our eyes. We used magnifying glasses and binoculars to get a closer look. A scavenger hunt that required us to listen, look and feel. Spring is a hopeful season! It brings transformation and change; from cold to warm, from grey to bursts of color, new growth in gardens and baby animals. The colorful, new look spring brings are signs that life on this earth renews again.

Spring is here, and I’m not sure there has ever been a year we needed it more. Our days outside are spent noticing every new bud, bird, and bee. The fresh air and bright sun gives us hope for playdates, picnics, and visiting with family and friends who we have missed so much this year. We welcome Spring with open arms. We started the month off by learning how to plant seeds and what it takes to make them grow. To go along with this we created a gardening sensory bin which allows for hands-on exploration of planting seeds. We used black beans for the soil, plastic terracotta pots, tools to dig, pour and plant. We celebrated Dr. Seuss Day by reading our favorite book and making fun hats to wear. On St. Patrick’s Day, we made necklaces so we had some green to wear. Next week, is spring break; something we all can looked forward to.

Being outside is THE best. Children use all of our senses when we’re outside. They see, hear, smell, touch and sometimes taste. Being outdoors builds their confidence. In a less structured environment children have an opportunity to control their movement and refine their gross motor skills. Being outdoors promotes exercise, children need to move! It teaches us responsibility and promotes imagination. These are just a few of the benefits of having an outdoor class. “When children come in contact with Nature they reveal their Strength”. Maria Montessori

It’s a new year and a new month and it feels like winter has arrived. Its a great time to introduce the kids to the animals of the artic. Maybe they can relate to these animals due to some of the weather we are experiencing during this month. Penguins, polar bears and snow are a few of the things we have on our shelves for January. The children had fun with our sensorial bin with snow made out of baking soda and shaving cream. We made igloos out of marshmallows. What a great way to discover their senses. January has been a short month for some of us. Fun fact: Masks help us stay warm!

December marks the end of the year and what an unusual year it has been. Masks, cleaning and sanitizing has not stopped us from enjoying our outside class. Gathering leaves to toss, create and grind. Developing our balancing, coordination and concentration skills. We tossed leaves into air, made necklaces and found satisfaction in grinding them into dust. Some of us learned to weave using yarn and puzzle strips. We ended the month with a obstacle course and candy cane hunt.

Gathering leaves