December IBL Module: What would you experience on a sleigh ride with Santa?

How inquiry based learning works in our classrooms: Montessori holiday curriculum

In inquiry based learning, children start with a question instead of a worksheet. They use real materials, talk about what they notice, and test their own ideas.

• Children ask questions and make predictions.
• They work with hands-on materials instead of only listening.
• Teachers guide with prompts, not long lectures.
• Children build confidence as they reach their own conclusions.

This fits the Montessori focus on independence and hands-on exploration. You can read more about our classrooms on the EdQuisitive Montessori programs page.

Overview of the December IBL Module

During this December module, children explore one guiding question:

What would you experience on a sleigh ride with Santa?

The question anchors a three-week learning plan that touches practical life, sensorial work, geography, STEM thinking, and cultural studies.

Weekly focus for the sleigh ride with Santa module

Week 1: Sensory Experience

Guiding idea: What would you hear, see, and smell on a sleigh ride?

• Snow mixing and “snow” sensory trays.
• Smell-and-match jars with winter scents.
• Spice grinding and winter spice exploration.

Children build vocabulary, focus, and fine-motor control as they describe what they notice.

Week 2: Geography & Travel

Guiding idea: Where does Santa’s sleigh stop on the globe?

• Work with globes and maps to trace possible routes.
• Land, air, and water sorting.
• Holiday Sleigh STEM challenge with simple building tasks.
• Learning “Happy Holidays” in different languages.

These activities support early geography, spatial awareness, and cultural understanding. For more about how we prepare children for elementary school, visit our kindergarten readiness program page.

Week 3: Cultural Traditions

Guiding idea: Who else brings gifts to children around the world?

• Kwanzaa ribbon weaving and discussions about the seven principles.
• Hanukkah spinning dreidel and simple math games.
• St. Lucia candle crafts and stories from Scandinavian traditions.

Children learn that families celebrate in many ways, and that each tradition carries meaning.

Week 4: Winter Break

The final week gives time to revisit favourite activities and enjoy practical life work before winter break.

Hands-on activities in the December IBL Module

Across the month, children take part in activities tied to the sleigh ride question:

• Making “snow” and snowflake art.
• Hot chocolate mixing and pouring.
• Spice grinding and scent matching.
• Tree decorating and gift wrapping.
• Holiday sleigh STEM building tasks.
• Kwanzaa ribbon weaving, Hanukkah dreidel, and St. Lucia candle craft.
• Global traditions map work and simple storytelling.

These activities link practical life, sensorial work, and cultural studies in a way that feels playful and meaningful.

To see examples from other months, visit our EdQuisitive Montessori blog.

How you can support this module at home

You do not need to recreate the classroom. Short questions and small routines at home can help:

• “What sounds would you hear on Santa’s sleigh?”
• “Which country should Santa visit next on your map?”
• “How does our family celebrate winter? How might another family celebrate?”
• “What would you like to see during the sleigh ride?”

These prompts build language and help your child connect school experiences with home life.

Why this December IBL Module matters for your child’s future

The December IBL Module: What would you experience on a sleigh ride with Santa? is seasonal, but the skills last much longer than the holidays.

• Curiosity and the confidence to ask questions.
• Problem-solving and early STEM thinking.
• Stronger vocabulary and communication.
• Respect for different cultures and traditions.
• Independence and focus during self-directed work.

These are the same skills we support in all of our Montessori programs, from toddlers through kindergarten prep.

See the December IBL Module in person

Schedule a tour

We invite you to visit our campus, walk through the classrooms, and see inquiry based learning in action. You can choose a time that fits your schedule on our tour booking page.

Request program details

For information about tuition, schedules, and openings, complete the short form on our admissions page. A member of our team will follow up with you.

Join the EdQuisitive parent list

To receive future IBL modules, school news, and parent resources, sign up on our email newsletter page.

If you prefer to talk with someone, you can reach us on the contact page.

Frequently asked questions about the December IBL Module

Is the December IBL Module suitable for all ages in the classroom?

Yes. The guiding question is the same for the whole classroom, but activities are adjusted to each age group. Younger children focus on simple sensory work, while older children explore early geography and cultural research.

Does the December IBL Module only focus on Christmas?

No. The sleigh ride theme is familiar for many children, but the module highlights a range of celebrations including Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and St. Lucia. The aim is to help children understand that families celebrate in many different ways.

How does this module prepare my child for kindergarten?

Children practice listening, following multi-step work cycles, using new vocabulary, and working with early map skills and STEM tasks. These experiences support the focus, independence, and reasoning skills needed for kindergarten and later school success.

Can families participate in the December IBL Module at home?

Yes. Families can talk about holiday traditions, look at maps together, read stories set in different countries, and ask open-ended questions related to the sleigh ride theme. Teachers can share simple at-home ideas through regular parent communication.