Four: 4th Moving Up Day

Opening Remarks
4th Moving Up Day
Kiddie Toes Montessori School
29 March, 2011

By: Divine May Flor Mercado- David
School Directress


Year one… One big step forward.

Year two… Soar high, fly high.

Year three… Three’s a charm.

And then… there’s four.

But does anyone in the room know the meaning of the number “four” – F-O-U-R?

Let me give you a few definitions.

Four… is the natural number following 3… and preceding 5.

In religion, Four represents the Noble Truths in Buddhism.

There are Four great elements in the Universe… earth, water, fire and wind.

There are Four stages of enlightenment.

There are Four gospels, according to Christianity.

There are Four Archangels in Islam.

There are Four basic states of matter… solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Four. It has different meanings to different people.

But here at KTMS, Four is important for us… because today, marks the 4th year of KTMS’ existence.

Four, for KTMS means stability. Much like a chair or a table, which sits securely and sturdily – with 4 legs to provide stability and permanence.

We have labored, together with you, dear parents, to provide the learners with the best possible educational framework there is. We have developed, improved, and tirelessly kept on enhancing the kind of elevated education, that your kids deserve.

We have not only continued with our quality academic processes, but we have made sure that we provide a secure and stable learning and physical environment for the learners. And so it is with much pride that we would like to inform you that KTMS will have a new home. We are soon moving to an ideal location, complete with all the things and elements that you could hope for and expect in a school of the future. This is the product of countless of hours of planning, brainstorming, conceptualization, fundraising, discussions, monitoring and implementation.

Today, we are moving up… together with our learners… together with their parents and care-takers. We are all moving up to greater heights because we have demonstrated that with our joint hearts and minds, we can make a difference for these young souls.

For you little learners… we congratulate you. And you truly deserve a round of applause… You have shown how it is to be a true and genuine Montessorian.

For you dear parents and care-takers… let us be your children’s foundation for their education. We commit to continuously provide a stable environment for your children’s development. Help us, in building and maintaining a stable quality educational system that only KTMS can give.

We fervently wish that you will choose to still hold hands with KTMS to provide your children with only the best. We request you to continue believing in us… because we will never fail you, and most especially our dear learners. Together, we can definitely help them to shine… towards stardom… towards success.

Thank you. And let’s all shine!

Montessori influenced Google

Watch this video:
Youtube clip of Google and Montessori

... and find out how Montessori education influenced the emergence of Google.

What are Suitable Montessori Toys?

http://www.dailymontessori.com/montessori-articles/montessori-toys-gifts/

What are Suitable Montessori Toys?

In line with Montessori philosophy here are some suggested toys & gifts for the different age groups and also some developmental considerations.

Many quality toys have age guides to help choose what the appropriate age is, but remember these serve as a guide and always check for small pieces when young children are around. The quality of the toy’s materials is a valid consideration; natural wooden toys will last far longer than plastics, but can prove a challenge to wash. Lillard and Jessen (2003, ‘Montessori from the start’) said “your only purpose is to give a key to your child for discovering his world“.

Toys and materials can act as that key, they aid the child’s understanding of the real world and help them distinguish order and make sense of their environment. This is a true gift to the child.

Montessori Toys for Infants
Birth to 6 months - Babies are interested in exploring the senses of sight sound and touch

6-12 months - Developmentally interested in mobility, crawling, learning to walk, safety important as objects still being mouthed

12 to18 months - Children this age are curious about how things work and still put most things in their mouth. Mobility, coordination and manipulative skills are still developing.

Toys & Gift Suggestions: Birth to 18 months

soft toys
things with bright contrasting colors
rattles (wooden or silver)
mobiles (that catch children’s attention/ reflective)
squeaky toys
music boxes
balls (of various sizes and textures)
knock down toys
blocks
bath and pouring toys
simple wooden musical instruments
push or pull toys
spinning top
drop boxes
stacking toys
rings and bases
board books


Montessori Toys for Toddlers
18 to 24 months - Children are learning to control events and organize the world, they have little sense of danger. Mostly, cannot share. They want to imitate you, yet are still becoming independent

2-3 years - More imitation of adult behavior and exploration of the adult world. Enjoy manipulating objects, express their own personality and test everything.

Toys & Gift Suggestions: 18 months to 3 years

posting toys
wooden jigsaws
blocks
sandpit toys
hammer and pegs
wooden animals
rocking horse
crayons, colored pens
paints, easel board
simple musical instruments
household objects (real child sized)
moving toys (such as trucks)
large threading beads
bean bags
wheelbarrow or a wagon
interlocking blocks
doll equipment and clothing
large cartons and boxes
play dough
realistic animals (farm or zoo)
child sized cleaning apparatus (mops, brooms, gardening tools)
simple story books