FREE Carrot Patch Baby and Toddler Footprint Art
April Craft Free Printable
Let’s celebrate the arrival of spring with this adorable Free Carrot footprint printable for your baby or toddler!
This month’s printable was made with one of my favorite fonts, “Country Side”. You can find it on Dafont.com, my go-to site for finding free fonts. Be warned though, you will lose hours of your life on that site because there are so many fabulous fonts to choose from! Keep reading for some fun spring Montessori activities as well as where to snag the below bunny coveralls!
This is also a good time to get that cute bunny outfit for your little one as they tend to sell out quickly. Below is the link to the one Henry is wearing.
The Children’s Place unisex-baby Bunny Coverall
Henry was about 17 months and 20 pounds in the photo above.
The 18-24 month one fit him perfectly. I also bought the same size for a friend whose son is 20 months and about 30 pounds. It was a little snug on him but again not a deal breaker. They both wore these adorable Bunny coveralls to the egg hunt and people went nuts over the cuteness! Henry was even photographed for the local paper!
Custom Bunny Tail
There was no way I was going to let the boys go on an Easter Egg hunt without little Fur Pom Poms on their bums. First, get a pom pom, then take an old button and sew it on the bottom area of the overalls. The pom poms have a little loop that goes right over the button. This way, you can easily take it off when they are in their car seat or when you need to wash it.
Was it unnecessary? Of course. Was it 100% worth it to see their little rabbit tails bouncing around while collecting Easter Eggs? Absolutely! We couldn’t stop laughing at the cuteness! I’ll link the pom poms below. The white ones had a little black on the end but I snipped it off with a pair of scissors.
Fur Pom Poms
6PCS, 4 Inch Faux Fur Pom Pom Balls Fluffy Pompoms for Crafts with Elastic Loop. 3 Colors
Spring Montessori Activities
Spring is a time of renewal and growth, making it the perfect season to introduce toddlers to the wonders of Montessori education. As a former Pre-K Montessori Teacher, I am a huge believer in the Montessori method for little ones. Montessori centers provide an environment that encourages exploration, independence, and hands-on learning. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of spring Montessori centers for toddlers. Let’s explore some activities and experiences that foster their development during this vibrant season!
Sensory Exploration:
Spring is a sensory-rich season, with new scents, textures, and colors emerging all around. Montessori centers for toddlers leverage this sensory abundance by offering various activities that engage their senses. From exploring fragrant flowers to feeling the softness of petals, children develop their sensory perception and appreciation for nature. Sensory bins filled with natural materials like sand, pebbles, or leaves provide opportunities for tactile exploration, allowing toddlers to refine their sense of touch.
Gardening and Nature Study:
Spring is synonymous with growth, and introducing toddlers to the wonders of gardening fosters their connection with the natural world. Montessori centers often incorporate gardening activities, enabling children to plant seeds, water plants, and observe the magical transformation from seed to sprout. Through hands-on experiences, toddlers learn about the importance of caring for living things and gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of nature.
Practical Life Skills:
Montessori education emphasizes practical life skills, which empower toddlers to become independent and capable individuals. Spring Montessori centers offer a range of activities that allow toddlers to refine their fine motor skills and practice practical tasks. These may include pouring water into plants, arranging flowers in a vase, or transferring seeds with small spoons. Such activities not only promote fine motor development but also instill a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence in young children.
Language and Literacy:
Language acquisition is fundamental and Montessori centers integrate language-rich activities into their spring curriculum. Reading books about springtime, identifying and naming different flowers or animals, and engaging in storytelling sessions all create a language-rich environment. This environment supports vocabulary building and early literacy skills.
Art and Creativity:
Spring’s vibrant colors and natural beauty inspire creativity in toddlers. Montessori centers provide ample opportunities for artistic expression, allowing children to explore various art mediums such as painting, drawing, and sculpting. Nature-inspired crafts, such as making flower collages or leaf prints, foster imagination, fine motor skills, and appreciation for the beauty of the world around them.
Why Montessori?
Spring Montessori centers for toddlers offer a wealth of experiences that cater to their developmental needs and curiosity. By incorporating sensory exploration, gardening, practical life skills, language development, and artistic expression, these centers provide a nurturing environment for toddlers to thrive.
Through hands-on activities and independent exploration, young children develop a deeper connection with nature, enhance their cognitive and motor skills, and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Spring Montessori centers truly cultivate a love for the natural world and instill a sense of wonder and curiosity that will accompany toddlers throughout their educational journey and beyond.
Memory Enhancer:
Check to see if your local farms have “Toddler time” or visiting hours. Some farms will make you reserve a time and others have an open-door policy. The entry fee is usually very minimal. We have done this at multiple farms and have never paid more than $9 for myself and Henry. This is a wonderful opportunity for little ones to interact with sheep, bunnies, cows, chickens, goats, etc. The educational opportunity this experience provides is immeasurable.
Farm Time!
Some farms will even let you rent baby chicks for 2 weeks. They provide everything you need. It is another way to bring the farm right to your kids!
Before you visit the farm, work on using gentle hands with animals. Model, model, model! For older kids, teach them the open flat-hand method of feeding the animals.
Happy Spring Everyone!
