Sun Salutations

Almost two weeks ago we had our Parent/Teacher conference at Toby's Montessori school. It was a very informative meeting and we were certainly given some helpful feedback about our son's strengths as well as the areas needing improvement. We learned that his language is off the charts (we've known this) we learned he gravitates toward the older children in the classroom, and he is respectful to his teachers. She also told us that he is able to work independently and he shows quite a bit of confidence.

We were told an area in need of improvement is the way he manages his need for gross-motor stimulation within the classroom environment. One of the ways they began working with Toby in this area is by introducing him to yoga. And, as it turns out...

Toby LOVES yoga.

I never saw this coming. I don't love yoga. I can't calm my mind long enough to do yoga. However, according to his teacher, he seeks out the yoga mat at least once per day to do his "Sun Salutations." She said he's getting really good at it and it seems to calm and center him.

This is another reason I'm so grateful for Montessori. I would have never exposed Toby to yoga. But, it's likely that at some point Aaron would have practiced it with him (Aaron likes yoga.) However, we may have thought he was currently "too young" or "too energetic;" completely missing the opportunity to provide him this tool. This makes me appreciate the respect Montessori has on the individual child's needs. It is not at all inappropriate that a three-year-old has boundless energy; it's inappropriate for him to deal with it by doing cart-wheels in the classroom. The fact that this was recognized and redirected, rather than shamed and stunted, further merits our decision to enroll Toby in Montessori.

These are the pictures the teacher provided to us:

Toby asked us for a yoga mat for Christmas. I think we'll oblige.