Refocus Your Students After Winter Break

The Rugs are an easy way to reinforce great habits at the start of the new semester. When reentering the classroom after the winer break, spend a circle or two talking about the importance of caring about everything in the classroom from the smallest rug to the most complex work.  Invite children to join you with the process by doing a circle rug rolling session. Remind children that it is not how fast you roll it, but how well it is rolled at the end. Demonstrating standing the rug up on its edge is also a way to add excitement to this daily task. Even the smallest members of the classroom will try to balance the rug carefully on its end.  Modeling this simple task and emphasizing the importance of caring for our environment is a great way to get the new semester off to a productive start. Work rugs also allows a child to define one's space. It is important for a child to take ownership over their space. Through modeling and lessons children learn to feel confident in their space as they explore the lesson. They learn respectful language to use with friends to invite them to work collaboratively together. 

In a Montessori classroom work rugs define one's space. Children take ownership over their work space and learn the importance of walking carefully around other child's work rug. 

• Getting a work rug is the first activity a child does when starting a work.

• The blue work rugs are perfect if you want a contrasting color to a neutral colored flooring.

• Walking the Line rugs allow children to practice balance and body awareness. 

• Walking the line rugs define the circle space to make it easier for children to all sit together. 

Practicing these important caring for the environment lessons will insure a Happy start to the beginning of 2024!