Little Steps Montessori Preschool

This week, we celebrated Maria Montessori, born in Italy on the 31st of August 1870. Her innovative approach to education has inspired generations of young learners. Her vision of fostering independence, curiosity, and a love for learning is still alive and thriving at our preschool every day! We will continue to embrace the values she instilled in us all: respect, joy, and endless possibilities.

“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” — Maria Montessori

🌿🦗 A Rare and Wonderful Visitor! 🦗🌿
Today was full of excitement at our Montessori preschool – we had a surprise visit from a weta!

These fascinating creatures are native to Aotearoa and not often seen up close, so it was a truly special moment for our tamariki. The children were absolutely captivated, observing gently and asking thoughtful questions as we explored what makes the weta such a unique part of our ecosystem.

Moments like these are what Montessori is all about – connecting with nature, nurturing curiosity, and learning through real-life experiences.

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Today after lunch, with the sun shining on a warm mid-winter afternoon, we headed out — helmets on, balance bikes ready. ☀️🚲
The bush trail next to school was calling, and our preschoolers were more than ready for a little off-road adventure. Leaves crunched, wheels wobbled, and laughter echoed through the trees as they navigated bumps, bends, and a few muddy patches.
Just the right kind of winter’s day to soak up some sunshine and explore the world beyond the playground. 🌿✨

🚒🔥 Fire & Emergency Visit at Little Steps! 🔥🚒

Today was an action-packed day at Little Steps as we welcomed our local Fire & Emergency team! 🧑‍🚒👩‍🚒

The kids had an amazing time learning all about fire safety, checking out real firefighting gear, and even getting hands-on with the hose 💦 and climbing inside the fire engine! 🚒

Thank you to our everyday heroes for teaching us how to stay safe and for making today unforgettable!

🚒🔥 Fire & Emergency Visit at Little Steps! 🔥

Today was an action-packed day at Little Steps as we welcomed our local Fire & Emergency team! 🧑‍🚒👩‍🚒

The kids had an amazing time learning all about fire safety, checking out real firefighting gear, and even getting hands-on with the hose 💦 and climbing inside the fire engine! 🚒

Thank you to our everyday heroes for teaching us how to stay safe and for making today unforgettable!

🎼🎻🎶This week we had the privilege of welcoming some very special guests into our pre-school. A talented violinist who is one of our past students, and a flutist who brought her beautiful music to life for our tamariki. It was a truly special moment watching the children light up with curiosity and awe as they experienced live music up close. The gentle sounds of the violin and melodic notes of the flute opened up conversations about instruments, rhythm, and the job of sharing talents. Nga mihi to our wonderful visitors for inspiring a love of music and showing our little learners the beauty of creative expression! , , , , .

Happy Mother’s Day! Our tamariki had a wonderful time creating these special lavender bath salts for their māmā. Made with love — and lavender freshly picked from our Little Steps garden.

🌍Discover the beauty of Montessori land forms! 🌍

In Montessori education, hands-on learning is key, and what better way to explore the natural world than through tactile experiences? 🌄🌊 From mountains to valleys, islands to peninsulas, our Montessori land form trays allow children to visually and physically interact with the earth’s features.

These beautifully crafted materials help little ones: Develop a deep understanding of geography, Improve sensory and fine motor skills, Cultivate a love for nature and the environment.

Let’s spark curiosity and creativity in the next generation! 🌱🌏

Happy Chinese New Year 🧧

Happy Diwali! What a wonderful afternoon spent with family and friends—sampling delicious food, learning a Bollywood dance, and watching one of our amazing parents create a beautiful Rangoli Diya with coloured sand.