Once Upon a Garden: Fall Stories to Nurture Young Minds

In "Once Upon a Garden: Fall Stories to Nurture Young Minds," our teachers at Little Garden Montessori share their favorite autumn-themed books—stories they love to read to their families and the school community. These carefully chosen tales celebrate the season and spark imagination, making them perfect for cozy reading sessions. Join us in exploring these delightful stories that inspire curiosity and connection!

Nina’s Favorite: little tree by Loren Long

“It’s an engaging story that helps kids understand how letting go can lead to growth, perfect for sparking conversations about change and the beauty of new beginnings.”

Ms. Lindsay’s Favorite: Five Little Pumpkins Illustrated by Lucy Barnard

“It has really fun rhymes and vibrant illustrations that will get any child into the Fall spirit.”

Ms. Melanie’s Favorite: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

“This book helps kids learn about generosity and the importance of giving to others.”

Ms. Erica’s Favorite: Leaf Man by Louis Ehlert

“This book celebrates the beauty of Fall and inspires those that read it to explore the wonders of nature.”

Ms. Debbie’s Favorite: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! By Lucille Colandro

“I love to read this book to the class because it is a silly, rhyming story that’s perfect for fall. It always gets the kiddos laughing and will get you laughing too.”

LGM’s Seasonal Library: Autumn

Here are the other books currently available in our Seasonal Library at school. The children can enjoy these anytime, and we hold storytime at least once, sometimes twice, a day.

Embracing Growth: Normalization and Our New Snack Program

As we settle into the joyful rhythm of the school year at Little Garden Montessori, we’re witnessing the lovely process of normalization—a key concept in Montessori education. Normalization is when children start to understand and embrace the expectations of the classroom, creating a nurturing and calm environment where they can truly thrive. This beautiful transition empowers our little ones to engage with their activities, build friendships, and learn from one another, making the classroom feel like a second home.

This October, we are also excited to celebrate Fire Safety Month! We had a special visit from local firefighters, who brought a fire truck to the school. The children absolutely loved seeing the truck up close and had a fantastic time learning about important fire safety practices. They were taught what to do in case of a fire and, just as importantly, what to avoid doing to prevent one. This fire truck day is always a highlight of the year for our little learners, filled with excitement and valuable lessons.

As we navigate the school year, we’re focusing on health and wellness. We’ve been reading fun books about germs to help our kiddos understand the importance of cleanliness, especially as we transition into the cooler fall months. By discussing hygiene in a playful and engaging way, we hope to encourage healthy habits that will keep our children feeling their best all year round.

A big part of our classroom experience this year is our exciting new Snack Program! We’re thrilled to share that this initiative not only lightens the load for families—who no longer need to send in individual snacks every day—but also gives the children a chance to expand their palates. Each week, a family is assigned a shopping list, and together, the class prepares their own snacks. With Ms. Lindsay coordinating our Snack Program, she guides the children in whipping up tasty treats like homemade applesauce, protein bites, yogurt bark, mixed berry salsa, and apple oat muffins.

One of the most delightful aspects of this program is how it encourages our little ones to try new foods. When they see their friends enjoying a snack they helped prepare, they’re often more willing to give it a taste! We also make sure to accommodate all our students’ dietary needs, including vegan and dairy-free options, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. This not only fosters a sense of community but also teaches our children about kindness and respect for each other’s choices.

As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change, we’re embracing the magic of autumn together. We love discussing the changing seasons and exploring all the wonderful experiences this time of year brings. We’re excited to keep sharing our journey with you, and each month, we’ll highlight a favorite recipe the children enjoy—be sure to check out this month’s featured recipe below!

Bee Inspired: Seasonal Snacks from the LGM Kitchen

Vegan Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

Makes 24 Muffins

Fully Vegan and Delicious

Your kids will love to make them almost as much as they love eating them

Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp allspice

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 & 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce

• 1 cup coconut milk

• ¼ cup vegetable oil

• Toppings

  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Put muffin liners in your muffin pan and spray with cooking spray

3. In a Large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.

4. In a seperate, bowl mix together applesauce, coconut milk, and vegetable oil.

5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

6. Divide the batter into two muffin pans (We made minis, so it was 4 mini muffin pans in total).

7. Sprinkle a pinch of brown sugar on each muffin.

8. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, only 13 minutes if doing mini muffins.

9. Let cool for 12 minutes in the pan, then take out and enjoy!