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The Young Children's Community (YCC) supports individual development by cultivating curiosity and connection. Our environment promotes independence and cohesion as children care for themselves, others, and the physical space. There are countless opportunities to acquire new language, develop and refine motor skills, and practice grace and courtesy. We will spend our days immersed in the present moment - baking, learning, exploring, singing, dancing, and enjoying one another. I am so happy to welcome your child to our lovely little community, and I look forward to the year ahead. "The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction." - Maria Montessori Emily Walton |
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Classroom Highlights
September 24, 2025
And just like that, we are nearing the end of September! It has been a busy couple of weeks for our community. With the start of the school year, we bid farewell to Piper, Boden, Vienna, Ava, and Olivia who are all adjusting well to life in Primary. Since then, our community has welcomed Amara, Isla, Logan, Eleanore, and Emerlyn with open arms.
It is in this time of transition that I reflect on the value of mixed ages in a Montessori environment. The older children have taken on the role of guiding the younger ones with great pride. They are eager to assist, direct, and model how to interact with each other and the environment. Margot carries Isla’s backpack for her each morning; Alexis guides Amara in setting the table for snack; William shows Emerlyn how to use the ball tracker; and Annika teaches Wren how to open the tempura paint sticks. Our days are full of opportunities to practice kindness, patience, and humility. In these moments, the children learn from each other more than they could ever learn from the adults.
We have been spending a lot of our time celebrating and building a strong sense of community in all sorts of ways. The children are interested in talking about their families and pets, singing songs that incorporate their names, and engaging in animated conversations during meals. We have enjoyed doing group outside when weather allows, singing classics such as “Wheels on the Bus”, "Baby Beluga", and “Trot Old Joe” and dancing to “Hokey Pokey” and “Ring Around the Rosie”. Especially during times of transition and heightened emotions, music is an excellent tool to promote unity, joy, and peace.
Thank you to Edith and Warner Queeny for organizing the flower sign-up sheet and to Megan and Jordan Messick for the loveliest bouquet donations! Our community is so grateful to have beautiful, fresh flowers each week. The children love to create flower arrangements to display on the shelves and use as centerpieces during meals.
I hope to see you all at our class picnic on October 2nd from 5:30-7:00pm. We will meet on the YCC playground, where we will eat picnic-style, with each family providing their own food. This will be a wonderful time for us to connect and for you to get a glimpse into what your children get up to during their time at school. The budding relationships are so sweet to witness. I feel truly blessed to spend my days with your children. They are thoughtful, funny, kind, clever, independent, cheeky, and full of endless potential. All of us are so unique, yet we come together to coexist harmoniously. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the year will bring.
Sincerely,
Emily and the Dandelion team
We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.” - Dr. Maria Montessori.