Thanksgiving isn’t just a time for gratitude, it’s also a sensory celebration! From the warm aroma of pies baking in the oven to the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, the holiday is rich with opportunities for young children to explore the world through their senses.
In a Montessori classroom, sensorial discovery is at the heart of learning. Materials are carefully designed to isolate one quality at a time: smooth or rough, loud or soft, bright or dull, so that children can truly refine their perception and language. During Thanksgiving, nature and tradition provide this same kind of hands-on sensory learning, but on a grand (and delicious) scale.
Children can feel the smooth curve of a pumpkin, listen to the rhythmic sound of stirring batter, or notice how the vibrant reds and golds of autumn leaves contrast against the gray November sky. They may smell cinnamon and cloves, or hear the gentle clink of dishes being set for a meal. Each experience helps them build vocabulary, sharpen observation, and connect more deeply with their environment.
At home or in the classroom, you can bring Montessori sensorial principles to the Thanksgiving season by slowing down and inviting children to notice. Encourage them to describe textures while cooking (“Is the dough sticky or soft?”), name colors during a nature walk (“Look how the leaves change from green to gold!”), or listen closely for subtle sounds (“Do you hear the crunch of leaves or the wind in the trees?”).
Thanksgiving offers a beautiful reminder that learning begins with the senses. When children are given time and space to experience the world through touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste, they not only learn about their surroundings, they learn to appreciate them. And that’s something to be truly thankful for.
- The Montessori n’ Such Team
