Cultivating Gratitude: Celebrating Thanksgiving at Orange Seeds

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on gratitude, grace, and courtesy—values that are central to the Montessori philosophy. At Orange Seeds Montessori daycare, we integrate these values into our daily routines, teaching children essential life skills that foster respect, kindness, and empathy. Thanksgiving also gives us the opportunity to reinforce manners, both in the classroom and at home, helping children understand the importance of gratitude in their interactions with others.

How Montessori Daycare Teaches Manners

At our Montessori daycare, we view manners as a vital part of social development. Montessori teachers introduce grace and courtesy through structured lessons that are seamlessly integrated into everyday activities. Children are shown how to say “please” and “thank you,” how to wait patiently, and how to respect personal space. These lessons are not just about teaching rules but helping children understand why manners matter in building respectful relationships.

Montessori teachers model good manners themselves, as we believe that children learn best through example. Whether it's showing how to politely ask for help or how to offer a greeting, we emphasize the social norms that will help children navigate the world with confidence and respect.

When Do We Start Teaching Manners in a Montessori Daycare?

In a Montessori daycare, we begin teaching manners as soon as children enter our environment. Even toddlers, as young as 18 months, are introduced to simple concepts of grace and courtesy through activities that promote sharing, taking turns, and using polite language. We gradually build on these lessons as children grow, reinforcing the importance of empathy and respect. By the time children are preschool age (3-5 years old), they are well on their way to mastering these essential skills.

Manners to Expect at Ages 3, 4, and 5

At Orange Seeds Montessori Daycare, we tailor our expectations for manners according to the child’s developmental stage. Here’s a guide to what you can expect at each age:

• Age 3: By age 3, children in our Montessori daycare are typically able to say “please” and “thank you” independently. They are learning to wait their turn and ask for help politely. They begin to understand the concept of sharing and are encouraged to apologize when they make a mistake, even if they don’t fully understand why just yet.

• Age 4: At age 4, children are developing a deeper understanding of social interactions. They can greet others, use polite language more consistently, and show patience when waiting. Montessori daycare classrooms at this age focus on helping children express gratitude verbally and through small acts of kindness, like helping a friend or offering to clean up after an activity.

• Age 5: By age 5, children are becoming more socially aware and are capable of more complex manners. They understand the importance of saying “excuse me,” respecting personal space, and listening when others are speaking. In our Montessori daycare, 5-year-olds are also encouraged to problem-solve conflicts with their peers using respectful communication, reflecting the values of grace and courtesy that we’ve taught since they were toddlers.

Bringing Thanksgiving Traditions into the Montessori Daycare Classroom

During the Thanksgiving season, we highlight the importance of gratitude, particularly through our lessons in grace and courtesy. At Orange Seeds Montessori Daycare, children participate in activities such as creating gratitude journals, sharing what they are thankful for during circle time, and crafting cards to express appreciation. These activities not only align with the Montessori philosophy but also help children practice their manners in a meaningful way.

Encouraging Gratitude and Manners at Home

Parents can reinforce the manners taught in Montessori daycare by incorporating grace and courtesy into Thanksgiving traditions at home. We suggest involving your child in simple tasks, such as setting the table, thanking family members, and helping with meal preparations. These activities help children practice their manners and express gratitude through actions, fostering independence and thoughtfulness.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving at Orange Seeds Montessori Daycare, we encourage parents to join us in cultivating an environment of gratitude, grace, and courtesy. Teaching manners from a young age helps children grow into respectful, kind, and socially aware individuals. With Montessori’s emphasis on independence and empathy, children at Orange Seeds Montessori Daycare learn that manners are not just rules—they are the foundation for positive, meaningful relationships.