Trevor Eissler "How Do You Hug a Child Like This?" - 321FastDraw

BOOK FAIR LUAU

BOOK FAIR LUAU

There will be some changes coming to TMA’s Library in the next few weeks!  The Book Fair Luau will be making a festive stop at our school from Wednesday, May 9^th, to Tuesday, May 15^th.  Hours during school days will be 8:20am to 5:00pm.  Saturday, May 12^th, will be family day, with the Fair being open from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Parents will have the chance to choose books with their children for their summer reading enjoyment.

The Library will be turned into a fun beach-themed luau with tikis, surf boards, and hanging palms.  One of the books being offered with this theme will be Pig Kahuna. In this picture book, two little pigs discover some beach fun with a surf board.  Froggy and his family have a warm Aloha when Froggy Goes to Hawaii.

Since this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, several Titanic books will be available. There will be a special two-book set from Magic Tree House: Tonight on the Titanic and a companion nonfiction “Fact Tracker” book to answer all of your Titanic questions.  Remembering the Titanic follows specific people who worked on the Titanic or were her passengers.  It starts with her building, tells of her crash and sinking, and finishes with the eventual rescue of the survivors.

These and many, many more books of different reading levels and on a wide range of subjects will be available under the swaying palms.  There’s sure to be something for all the readers in the family.  See you at the Book Fair Luau.  Mahalo!

Shadowbox

Thank you to the hours of work that parent & staff volunteers devoted to this one of a kind item.  Collecting toddler art throughout the year, scanning & reprinting art, designing the layout, afixing art to wood tiles, and creating this beautiful shadowbox of "toddler art" for the live aution on March 10.

Please stop by the library to see this work of art--pictures do not do it justice.

The Beauty of Practical Life

One of the big challenges that Toddlers face each day is how to develop into that adult that ”they are to become”.  They admire their mothers and fathers who are so capable in all the everyday  little things that adults take for granted: fixing lunch, sweeping the floor, washing dishes, using a wrench or screwdriver—all the activities of “practical life” that are necessary to daily life going well.    The little ones may also admire firemen or airline pilots but at this time in their life, they are already able to learn some of those more basic skills.  In our classroom the children are in the beginnings of mastery of some of these skills.  They are working hard at learning to dress themselves, wash their own hands, put on shoes, scrub tables, wipe the paint off the easel, prepare snack, serve themselves a food item with tongs, pour their own water, wipe up spilled water and there is still more to come!  While engaged in these everyday activities, the child’s motor skills are being refined, his concentration is strengthened, his ability to finish a task is improved, his ability to hold things in his head is expanded while at the same time he is gathering valuable experiences related to how the world works.  Keep your eyes open to how your child can help out in your home.  You will find that doing purposeful things in life helps the child to feel a part of what is happening in the family. She gains  a sense of responsibility and begins to take ownership in the family life in a new way.  When a child is unfocused and engaged in negative attention getting tactics, sometimes a little responsibility will give the kind of affirmation she is really seeking at that moment.  Being able to independently accomplish important tasks is a lifelong mindset that will be extremely valuable for your child in the years to come.

 

Let Me Do it Myself!

Don’t forget the Toddler Parent Night tonight at 6:30!  This will be an exciting evening for parents and teachers to discuss your child’s entry into the world of independence!  Child care will be provided for TMA students and siblings by reservation only for $5 per child.  Please RSVP to Katha Short if you will need childcare – 574-256-5313 or kshort@tma-el.org.

Art, Music & Movement

Children have a natural sense of creative expression that is nourished through art media, music and movement. These activities utilize the same developing skills as found in the Practical Life, Sensorial and Language curriculum areas. As concentration increases, the child brings tasks to completion or to more complexity. The child's creative expression is pure and uncontrolled simplicity which flourishes using an array of media and activities. From experimental painting to representational drawing, from spontaneous singing or dancing to lessons with rhythm instruments and group movements, the child is provided with a rich environment for creative activities. Listening to background music, making interesting sounds, singing together, and moving in tune with the music are examples of the many opportunities to experience music and movement in the Toddler program.

Art Media: Drawing and painting materials, gluing, collage and sculpture materials, tearing and cutting. 

Music and Movement: Singing songs with hand and body movements; walking, dancing, marching with props to music; listening to recorded music; percussion instruments; exposure to cultural music and composers; exposure to harmony in singing; large motor activities inside or outside.

Wrapping up the Holidays

Benefiting Others

MISHAWAKA — The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes recently held its seventh annual Wrapping Up for the Holidays.

The school wrapped presents and packed boxes of food for three families (11 children and three adults) that the Montessori adopted through Salvation Army. Each family’s pantry was stocked with enough food for the duration of Christmas break. Each child received hat and gloves, an outfit and socks, and three presents to open.

Courtesy of: The South Bend Tribune December 11, 2011 Edition

Photograph Courtesy of: Ed Bosworth of Bozworthy Images