September: finding your bearings, becoming independent, and leaving your first
marks
It’s already been a few weeks since the school year began… and what a wonderful start!
The children are gradually finding their bearings as they discover, or rediscover, the classroom, its different spaces, routines, and the other children. The group is coming together gently and naturally, and we are already seeing some lovely moments of helping one another, observing, and working together.
For our youngest children in particular, starting school is a big step: saying goodbye in the morning, coming into the classroom on their own, finding their belongings, choosing an activity, asking for help when needed… So many small steps that gradually build a powerful sense of confidence: “I can do it by myself.”
A big thank you to you, parents, for fully embracing this approach during drop-off. By allowing your child to experience the small steps of separation and entering the classroom independently, you are helping them build confidence and gradually become an active participant in their day.
Practical Life: an essential starting point
At the beginning of the school year, we place a strong emphasis on Practical Life activities: pouring, transferring, opening and closing, using a spoon or tongs, taking care of the environment, serving oneself, tidying up…
These actions may seem very simple. Yet they are at the heart of the first Montessori lessons. They allow children to practise familiar everyday tasks while learning to choose an activity, concentrate, repeat, coordinate their movements, and complete what they have started.
These activities develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while gradually preparing the hand for the movements involved in writing and for learning to read.
And above all, they perfectly meet young children’s need to do things independently and to…
to truly take part in the life around them. “Help me to do it myself” takes on its full meaning here.
Reggio Afternoons: “I Leave My Mark”
This year, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons invite us to explore in new and different ways.
Our first project inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach is called “The Traces I Leave Behind.” One question guides us throughout the project: How can we tell that someone has been here?
In September, we started with what is closest to the children: their bodies. Hands, feet, fingers, gestures, movements… We observed imprints, experimented with different ways of leaving a trace, and enriched our vocabulary related to the body and body awareness.
In this way, the children are discovering that their bodies can have an impact on the world around them, and that their actions can leave marks, shapes, movements, or memories. Some traces remain, while others are fleeting.
Painting, imprints, large-scale formats, observation, language, and first hypotheses: here, the goal is not to reproduce a model, but to experiment, observe, compare, make choices, and talk about what we discover.
Our programme includes explorations using hands, feet, fingers, elbows, and knees, accompanied by precise vocabulary: imprint, mark, trace, press, push, slide, rub…
The children then explored the traces that everyday objects can leave behind. Here are some of the questions we explored together:
What is a trace? Who left this trace? Can we recognise someone by their trace? Does everyone leave traces? Can a trace disappear? Can we leave a trace without touching something? Can we make a trace with sound?
Gentle exercise !
The warm September weather led us to slow down the pace of our sports sessions a little.
A constraint that turned into a wonderful learning opportunity!
We took more time to break down the warm-up, name the different parts of the body and some of the joints, and understand why we don’t begin an intense physical activity without first preparing our bodies.
Gently rolling their shoulders, moving their wrists and ankles, bending their knees, gradually waking up their muscles… The children didn’t simply “do sports”: they began to observe their bodies, listen to them, and understand how to take care of them.
Learning to Take Care of Ourselves, Too
We also place great importance on helping children understand their emotions and needs. Each day, our “Highlight of the Day” ritual invites the children to identify and share a small positive moment from their day. For the children who do not nap, we have also begun introducing presentations around the Peace Table.
The first goal is to learn to turn inward: How am I feeling? What do I need? How can I find my calm, take care of myself, and refocus? The Peace Table can thus become a space where a child can choose to spend some time in their own little bubble, but also a place where they can release feelings of sadness, low energy, or overwhelming emotions before returning to the group in a calmer state of mind.
Little by little, the children are discovering that they can tune in to what is happening within them, put their feelings into words, and find appropriate ways to regain their sense of balance. This initial work will allow us, over the coming months, to explore emotions more deeply through dedicated sessions and gradually introduce the first Toltec agreements, adapted to their age.
And above all… a start to the school year that brings smiles!
The first few weeks of school are always a special time. Before moving on to more advanced learning, each child needs to feel safe, seen, capable, and part of the group. Our approach to the child’s fundamental needs reminds us how much a calm and predictable environment, clear routines, opportunities to act independently, and recognition of progress all contribute to this sense of inner security.
Today, we see the children arriving more and more confidently, finding their bearings, taking initiative, observing others, trying, trying again… and, above all, enjoying being together and learning.
A wonderful way to start the school year.
Important information:
Registration is now open for our autumn, winter, spring, and summer holiday clubs!
Workshops are also available during the second week. You can find all the information on the school’s website. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions!
🪢 Stronger Together: Parents as School Ambassadors
Enrollment for next year is still ongoing, and we need your support.
If you are satisfied with your child’s experience at school, please share it with those around you. A recommendation, a conversation, or sharing your experience can truly make a difference.
Every family plays an important role in bringing our school to life—thank you for your valuable support.
Thank you for your trust and for your continued cooperation every day.
Les Petits Plus Teaching Team
