Toddler Distance Learning - Barrie School, The

Beginning Wednesday, March 18, Toddler Classes will use Kaymbu to share videos, photos, and specific work while communicating with students and parents. We will continue this every Tuesday through Friday until school reopens. We will do a check in with you throughout the week.

We recommend that you download the Kaymbu app for easy access to information and content.

Please email the Montessori office if your child is not participating in distance learning for the day.

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Daily Routine

While it is difficult to recreate a school schedule at home, please stay as close to our daily routine as possible to enable an easier transition once we are back at school:

9:00-10:00am - Work Time
10:00-11:00am - Outdoor Time/Play time
11:30am - Lunch
12:15-2:30pm Nap

Please also see Creating a Montessori Centered Learning Environment at Home (below), and feel free to send pictures of your child doing their work!

Teachers will be available by email or online chat to answer questions and address concerns during this transition.

What to Expect

Each day, Toddler teachers will send messages and ideas to parents to use at home with their children including stories, material explorations, songs and activities.
Each morning, our team members will send a pre-recorded good morning message for our toddlers
Language activities will be guided by teachers via daily messages.

Download the full presentation

Creating a Montessori Centered Learning Environment at Home

By providing the opportunity for your children to continue to practice the skills they have been exposed to at school (Order, Concentration, Communication and Independence), they will seamlessly reintegrate back into school when the health concerns of the nation and state are alleviated.

Book Shelves and Work Shelves

Keep Toddler Books and toys (work material) on low shelves. Place a small selection of age-appropriate books and toys on low shelves — but refrain from using plastic toys or commercialized character books from movies and shows. Keeping these items on a low shelf will allow your toddler to help themselves to whatever catches their attention.

Place each kind of work material in a different basket or bin so they start to learn everything has a rightful place. Rotate their work and book selection every few days to keep things new and fresh.

Food Preparation and Self-Choice Food Area

Toddlers love to have choice and variety. Invest in several small containers with lids for the toddler snack shelf. Make sure that the child can see the contents of the container, as to be able to make one solid choice or preference for snack time.

The children may also help in snack preparation with parents by peeling fruit, creating a fruit salad, buttering toast, cutting fruit and participating in baking activities (stirring, pouring) and the preparation of cold dishes such as salad (chopping, transfer and mixing).

Artwork

Hang Interesting Artwork or photographs at Toddler Eye-Level. Whether it's a toddler artwork or framed picture of your child or an older sibling exposing your toddler to art and beauty is a great way to stimulate their mind, conversation skills, discovery and focus. Experiment with animated wall tapestries, art from older siblings and famous artists and allow the children to touch and interact with these items safely. Wall Putty is a great alternative to nails and stick pins.

Also, a student may create a large scale artwork on a wall if covered with plenty of paper, for another exciting compliment to the visual environment. Used mixed media on different days (paint, crayons, stickers, collage, pencils, markers) for continued exploration each day and “add” to the artwork. Encourage your child to use full body movement while creating in a specific area.

Seasonal Nature Trays

This Spring, assemble a tray of items you've found outdoors for your child to touch, observe, experiment and explore. When you include your child in collecting the items from your yard, this becomes another moment for learning and exploration. Talk about what you see from shapes to colors, animals to nature objects.

Please ensure the nature baskets do not contain anything that could be a choking hazard, poisonous, or make them sick if it ends up in their mouth. Stick to large leaves, sorghum balls, branches, rocks, spices and flowers.