01 Nov Thanksgiving in a Montessori Household

Thanksgiving in a Montessori Household

Here at Sugar Mill Montessori, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. It is one of the only holidays that doesn’t revolve around gift-giving and commercialism. In fact, it can even be a teaching opportunity for your child. Rooted in gratitude and togetherness, it directly reflects some of the greatest Montessori teachings. So–are you ready to celebrate Thanksgiving the Montessori way? Sugar Mill Montessori has put together some tips to help make this a wonderful and memorable holiday for your child.

If you are in the Sugar Land, TX area, and are interested in pursuing a Montessori education for your child, contact Sugar Mill Montessori today!

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving the Montessori Way

Gratitude Teaching

Gratitude is one of the most important teachings in Montessori philosophy, and it’s what Thanksgiving is all about! Gratitude is all about identifying and acknowledging the good all around us. By teaching it as a guiding principle inside and outside of our classrooms, we create positive environments and positive students.

Although we promote thankfulness all year round, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for a reminder. You can model to your child by actively expressing your gratitude whenever you can. This encourages a positive attitude toward themselves and others.

Include Kids in Meal Preparation

Preparing food and cooking meals together is one of our favorite activities in the Montessori community. Food is an integral part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and allowing your child to be part of the production makes them feel like they are contributing positively. Instead of letting the adults handle all the cooking, leave some extra time to give your child some tasks in the kitchen. Not only does it teach them basic skills, it provides them with a safe place to make mistakes and be independent.

Furthermore, after you’ve let your child assist you in meal preparation, you can model gratitude to them by expressing your thankfulness for their help.

Encourage Reflection

A major component of the Thanksgiving holiday is reflection, and it goes beyond stating what everyone at the dinner table is thankful for. Have a discussion with your child about what the holiday means to you and your family. Encourage them to ask questions and reflect on their emotions. Ask them questions like, “What does Thanksgiving mean to you?” and “How does this holiday make you feel?” and then prompt your child to answer them on their own.

Make Festive Crafts Together

Crafting is a terrific way to encourage creativity and independence. You can even use projects to teach Montessori values like gratitude. A classic project you can work on with your child is a gratitude jar. This helps them identify their genuine feelings of thankfulness. Plus, it helps them fine-tune their writing & vocabulary skills.

All you need is a jar, some slips of paper, something to write with, and a ribbon or other decorations. Simply have your child think of some things they are grateful for and write them down on the slips of paper. Then have them put those papers in the jar and decorate them to their liking. You can choose to read the submissions aloud at dinner or save them to use throughout the year. Here are some other festive crafts you can make that can also serve as decorations for your home!

Happy Thanksgiving from Sugar Mill Montessori!

We hope you utilize these tips to make your holiday rooted in gratitude and warmth. From all of us here at Sugar Mill Montessori, Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for the wonderful families that make up our community.

Interested in enrolling your child in a Montessori school in the Sugar Land, TX area? Sugar Mill Montessori School would love to have you. Get in touch with us today!