04 Jan Ring in the New Year the Montessori Way

Happy New Year from Sugar Mill Montessori! What better way to ring in the new year than with Montessori principles? This article will explore several ways to celebrate this eventful holiday with the little ones. Whether you plan to make resolutions, participate in a fun craft, or learn about science and history, we’re here to help spark ideas.

Are you interested in your children participating in a Montessori program in 2023? Reach out to Sugar Mill Montessori to get started today!

Montessori Resolutions

It wouldn’t be New Year’s without resolutions! New Year’s resolutions are a fantastic way to teach children about setting goals, taking accountability, and achieving what they set their minds to. Many plans can be set for your children individually, in the family, and the classroom.

How To Explain Resolutions to a Preschooler

The concept of a New Years Resolution may be confusing to a preschooler. However, with the proper guidance and patience, it can be an exciting goal-setting lesson. Explaining a resolution as a goal or commitment and then elaborating on how to make a goal or commitment is a great way to start.

Gratitude Resolutions

Saying please and thank you are fantastic resolutions to set; however, understanding the gratitude behind it is crucial for a child to begin to understand. Creating a gratitude jar is an excellent way to teach children about the importance of gratitude. Explore one of our older articles to learn more about developing and implementing one in your household.

Resolutions for the Family

Involving your children in household responsibilities is beneficial to their learning. Creating resolutions to have designated clean-up time, eating together as a family, and cutting out unhealthy snacks and drinks are small but impactful ways to influence your children’s health.

Implement Montessori teaching in your home! Speak with the educators at Sugar Mill Montessori to learn more!

Fun Crafting Ideas for the New Year

There are plenty of fun crafting activities with your preschoolers in the home or the classroom. Sugar Mill Montessori has compiled a few ideas to get you started.

Wishing Wall

A wishing wall is a simple but meaningful activity to get your children to make wishes for themselves, the family, or even the world itself! This fun craft is simple to complete and a lot of fun for children and adults. Children get to set goals and are encouraged to think of others.

All you will need for this activity are sticky notes (or construction paper and tape), markers and pencils, and a board to tape the wishes onto.

Adults must participate in the activity as much as the kids to be a good resolution model. Also, make sure to let the kids get creative. Drawing pictures may intrigue the child more than writing; let them!

Drawing or Writing a Letter to Your Future Self

Another fun activity that can be done in the home or the classroom is to create a letter to your future self. This activity can help children better understand time and numbers and get in touch with their creativity and goals. It can be exhilarating to explain to a child that they will get to read this letter when they’re grown up, whether in five, ten, or 15 years.

Montessori education is dedicated to helping children grow into responsible, independent thinkers! Contact Sugar Mill Montessori to learn more about our program!

Incorporate Fun Learning

There are so many opportunities for learning during the New Year. Whether in the home or a classroom, these topics may spark interest in your little ones to learn more about diverse cultures or the science behind the world.

Learn About the Earth’s Rotation

Teaching a small child about the Earth’s rotation feels like an arduous task, but this Montessori activity is fun and easy! First, the children need a blank piece of paper to draw and color in a picture of the Earth. Once the children finish their drawings, have a picture of the sun ready. Hold the sun’s image in the middle of the room and guide the children to circle the sun with their Earth drawing. From there, in simple terms, explain how every time they make a complete circle is when we celebrate the New Year! There is also an opportunity to teach them about the Earth’s tilt by having them turn their paper so the Earth is on an angle.

Interested in what a typical Montessori classroom looks like? Reach out to Sugar Mill Montessori and schedule a tour today!

Learn New Year’s Traditions Around the World

Keeping in the spirit of teaching holiday diversity to the children. Sugar Mill Montessori also encourages you to teach your children about New Year’s traditions worldwide. There are so many unique traditions, from the people in Greece hanging onions to eating 12 grapes in Spain. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about different cultures, teach respect and understanding, incorporate science, and learn lightly about time zones!

Ring in the New Year with Sugar Mill Montessori

Whether you participate in your traditions, learn about new ones, or do a fun craft with your little ones, celebrating this new year will surely be memorable! We wish you a Happy New Year from the Sugar Mill Montessori team! If you are interested in Montessori education for your little ones, speak with our team today or schedule a tour!