The Great Outdoors - What Does It offer Your Child?

• Freedom to expand physical movement and imagination
• Increase a child's ability to control emotions thus helps them become more relaxed
• Children who play outside are less likely to become sick and are less stressed
• Explore and make discoveries 
• Express themselves more freely
• Stimulates curiosity 
• Experiment and be creative
• Helps to develop a positive lifestyle
• Prevents obesity
• Helps the immune system - provides vitamin D

Testimonial 1

" Paddy is our second child to attend Goldilocks Montessori Pre-School. We feel he has received a very 'special' introduction to early education, Josephine provides a holistic approach to preschool education always with the child at the forefront. Paddy enjoyed the natural homely setting benefiting hugely from his interaction with wildlife and in particular he loved following the seasons. His artwork brought home each week was a reflection of the great attention that each child enjoys from Josephine, Therese and Ruth. Positivity and patience are characteristic in all Josephine's interactions with the children. I believe she see's every childs potential and aims to guide them gently to reach it. Maria Montessori's ethos is evident at Goldilocks Montessori. Josephine ensures the children have a strong sense of community through involvement in local events which my child has thoroughly enjoyed."
Regards
Rachel and Colm

look who moved in...

Guess what we discovered today in our garden. What an amazing and rare sight. A little Blue Tit and six tiny eggs nesting in our bird box. How exciting for the children to see nature 1st hand.
sssshhhh..... Do Not disturb.

Lets see what happens next....

New Life in the Garden

Its great to see new life in the garden. We love the colours that the flowers and leaves bring. The children enjoyed planting potatoes this week. Watch this space to see how they grow...

Peter Rabbit in the Garden

Need to get Mr Mc Gregor's garden sorted after Peter Rabbits shenanigans over the Easter

Spring Has Arrived

Spring had arrived....
"When the child gets out its the world itself that offers itself to him" - Dr Montessori.

Dr Montessori considered that the outdoor connection with nature as a rich sensorial experience. It supports the whole child, body, mind and soul and promotes respect for all living things. A true respect of self grows together with a deep respect for others and nature.

(Our Secret Garden) - "The land is where our roots are" -  Dr Montessori.

Great to see the bulbs sprouting

Now that the cold weather has past the children are enjoying the garden even more. Our garden here at Goldilocks gives them first hand experience of life and growth and endless opportunities for creativity and imagination. The garden activities compliments our Smart Start program as it enhances our fitness and physical development even more. The countless benefits of being outdoors has a real positive impact upon children's lives.

The Garden

Playing outdoors in our spacious garden has huge benefits for the children's learning and development. Not only for the physical but social and emotional development. The children learn to get along with others and manage their feelings. Outside the children are more active, absorbed and making better connections with the outside world.

Roll on Spring...

2018 - Introducing Smart Start, Healthy Ireland

A New Year can be a fresh start for everyone. We are all being very active here at Goldilocks as we introduce the Smart Start, Healthy Ireland Program. We love to get outside, be active and enjoy the fresh air.

We will be starting the 'Book Loan' next week for parents and children at Goldilocks. These books encourage us to talk about our feelings and as a result can promote positive mental health and develop emotional literacy in our children.

We also have a variety of leaflets and information booklets covering all aspects of a healthy family lifestyle. We are happy to share these with you, just ask.

An Elfy Day

We had a great time here at Goldilocks when Edwina Elf came to visit on Friday. We had so much fun wrapping presents, making play dough cookies, mixing reindeer food, going on a treasure hunt and so much more. We hope Edwina Elf had a safe journey back to the North Pole and tells Santa we were very good...

We had a great time here at Goldilocks when Edwina Elf came to visit on Friday. We had so much fun wrapping presents, making play dough cookies, mixing reindeer food, going on a treasure hunt and so much more. We hope Edwina Elf had a safe journey back to the North Pole and tells Santa we were very good

Edwina's long journey

Edwina Elf relaxing at Frankfurt Airport.

"I've had a long journey so far. The North Pole really is a long way away. Waiting for my next flight with Ryan Air, so I should arrive in Dublin early tomorrow morning. I am so excited to meet all the children at Goldilocks tomorrow".

Sensory Workshop

Staff at Goldilocks are going to a Sensory Workshop today. The five senses (touch, smell, taste, sound and sight) are important to consider in every learning environment and a key feature of Montessori pre-school Education. We will keep you updated...

We love our elf hats, what do you think?

We are getting ready to meet Edwina Elf on Friday at Goldilocks...

Little Elves

Eddie, Tim and Sid are little elves at the North Pole. They really wanted to come to Goldilocks with Edwina Elf this Friday but Santa said they were too young to make the long journey to Galway. 
Hopefully they will make it next year. 
We are so excited to meet Edwina the Elf here at Goldilocks...

Edwina Elf

A message from Edwina Elf:

"So looking forward to Friday for my visit to Goldilocks. I'm leaving the workshop tomorrow, so should get to Dublin Airport by 6 am on Friday. Its certainly a very long journey. 
I am hoping to get to Goldilocks by 9 am but if any parents see me looking lost around Oughterard, please point me in the right direction... Oh and sshhh Santa doesn't know yet!!"

Letters to Santa

Time to get those very important letters off...

Smart Start: Getting Active

This week for Smart Start we have been getting active. We are always very active here at Goldilocks. Inside we like to dance and play games like Musical Statues. However, you cant beat getting wrapped up and getting outside. Its good exercise, a great learning opportunity and fun. Splashing in puddles, playing tag and going on a nature trail.

Edwina Elf is coming to visit

A very productive time here at Goldilocks, staff are creating their own elf costumes in preparation for our visit from Edwina Elf. Lots of fun to be had on the 8th December 2017...

it might be raining but we can still be active...

This week on Smart Start we explored Physical Activity and how being active can provide children and families with a wide range of learning and fun opportunities.
Look out next week for more pictures of us all being active in Goldilocks..

How do you feel today?

Goldilocks is working towards gaining the Smart Start, Healthy Ireland Award. This is a fun health promotion programme for Pre-Schools.
This week we have been learning about different feelings... 
Hope you are all having a happy day..