“It is indeed a form of love that gives children the faculty of observing in such an intense and meticulous manner the things in their environment that we, grown cold, pass by unseeing. . . This active, ardent, meticulous, constant absorption in love is characteristic of children.”

~Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood

Welcome winter! One of the great joys and privileges of working with toddlers is the opportunity it affords to observe and emulate the young child’s effortless and beautiful ability to be truly present. Our adult lives are filled with distractions, time-crunches, multi-tasking and screen-time-and as a result, we are often oblivious to our current situation or state of mind, choosing instead to mentally jump ahead to the next item on our endless to-do list. Children, however, have much to teach us in this regard; they want nothing more than to fully experience the present moment, in all its richness. If we provide them with an environment that calls to their senses, with activities that allow for movement and experimentation, they will take full advantage of the opportunity to engage and the learning that results will be of the highest quality possible. Indeed, it will be the type of authentic education that aids the child in construction of the self.

We can think of the winter season as a time of respite; a time to slow down, take stock, and rededicate ourselves to being present. Rather than wishing away the cold weather and counting down the days until spring, we can embrace the beauty of snow-covered earth, the clean feel of the wind, and appreciate the coziness there is to be found in gathering together. And rather than always hurrying our children along to the next task, or impatiently anticipating their next milestone, we can embrace the special gift they have to offer us each and every day, if we will only slow down enough to notice-the gift of being fully, authentically, inspiringly present.

— Kristin Caldwell, Toddler 1 Directress

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