The Best Preschool-Aged Activities For Outdoor Winter Fun

The Best Preschool Activities For Outdoor Fun

The Montessori Method outlines 5 subject areas of study. Here are fun and exciting activities broken down to reinforce each subject area your child will learn in a Montessori classroom.

Sensorial
Sensorial learning is designed to engage children by activating their five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Take a walk through your neighbourhood and activate your senses.

• Smell: Ask your child if they can smell the snow. Can you smell the toasty scent of a wood-burning fire from a neighbour's chimney? How do the fir trees in the park smell?
• Sight: Can you see any birds? Look for animal tracks in the snow. Notice how the rabbits’ fun has turned from brown to white. Are they harder to see in the snow? Take a walk at dusk and discover all the different colours of Christmas lights in your community.
• Sound: What sound do our boots make when we walk on fresh snow? Do we hear kids laughing as they sled down the hills? Let’s go see where they are.
• Touch: Can you feel the cold of the snow through your mittens? Are these pine needles sharp?
• Taste: Can you stick out your tongue and catch some snowflakes? How do the snowflakes taste? Make taffy by pouring maple syrup on clean, fresh snow.

Practical Life
Practical life is focused on building confidence and independence by participating in accomplishing real-life goals and by the mastery of everyday tasks. Shoveling the snow together after a snowfall is a great way to help your preschooler build coordination of movement and body control while giving them an opportunity to establish their role in supporting the family or a neighbour who could use a helping hand.

Mathematics
The Montessori Method focuses on learning the principles of mathematics through the hands-on manipulation of sensory materials. Search the neighbourhood for pinecones and practice counting them or sorting them by size. Create patterns in the snow with found objects like sticks and fallen pine boughs.

Culture And Science
Through the exploration of science, history, art, and music, preschoolers begin to discover the world around them. Different cultures and their practices help our kids understand the richness and diversity of their environment. Build an igloo and talk about the indigenous people who call that dwelling home. Go on a scavenger hunt and try to spot the symbols that reveal how your neighbours celebrate in winter. Do they have a menorah or a kinara in their window? Do they have a nativity scene in their yard? Do they have a statue of Ganesh? Discuss winter celebrations from around the world and the traditions your own family observes.

Language
All Montessori-inspired outdoor fun activities will naturally foster the development of language skills. But have fun stomping letters with your boots or squirting water dyed with food colouring to sign your name in pristine snow, and then head home to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and your favourite winter storybook.

For more ideas to pass the winter days, read Montessori-Inspired Winter Play Activities.
 

Enjoy Outdoor Winter Fun With The Best Preschooler You Know

There is so much to learn and so much fun to be had just outside your door. Winter provides unique opportunities for your preschooler to learn and explore and spend time together with you. So get outside and enjoy the best preschool-aged Montessori-inspired winter fun activities. And remember the number one tip for preparing for outdoor fun is to bundle up! Weather-appropriate attire (layers, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves) will ensure your preschooler will last longer than five minutes in the chilly winter air. 

*Montessori Tip- Foster independence and body control by letting your preschooler dress themself* 

If you are interested in learning more about the 5 subject areas of a Montessori program or exploring the benefits of a Montessori school and the advantages of a Grey Matter Montessori education for your preschool-aged or kindergarten-aged child, contact us to book a time for a school tour at our NW Calgary location. We are accessible just off of Symons Valley Parkway in the NW community of Evanston. Call us for more info on our Calgary Montessori preschool programming at 587-707-4739.
 

FAQ

Q: How do I choose the best preschool for my child?
A: The good thing about exploring your options for preschool in Calgary is that you have so many choices. And the bad thing about exploring your options for preschool in Calgary is that… you have so many choices! Choosing a preschool that aligns with your values, your child’s unique needs, and the goals you have for your child’s first school years will give your little one the best opportunity to find success and happiness in a learning environment. Here are some tips on Choosing The Best Preschool For Your Child.

Q: Is a Montessori kindergarten program better than a traditional program?
A: Because kindergarten can be a foundational year and establish your child’s perception of school and learning, it is important to do your research and find the right program for your little one. To learn more, read Montessori Kindergarten vs Traditional Kindergarten: Which Is The Right Choice For My Child?.

Q: Is Montessori the best preschool program for my child?
A: A common saying is ‘Montessori is right for every child, but not every family is right for Montessori’. Montessori education is a flexible, adaptable style of teaching and learning that is beneficial for all children. The caveat is that there are certain foundations and principles that guide a Montessori approach to learning that must be incorporated into other aspects of the child’s life by their caregivers. Principles such as:

• Child-lead independent learning
• Calm over chaos
• Cleanliness and tidiness
• Experiential learning
• Promoting individuality
• The freedom to explore

We believe that a Montessori Program is one of the best preschool programs to raise your child into a socially and academically well-rounded individual.