Infant and Toddler: Nido
“All that we ourselves are has been made by the child; by the child, we were in the first two years of our lives.” – Maria Montessori
Birth to three is the most important time in a child’s life. Dr. Montessori said that during this time, we must free the child to go on with their task of self construction. This is exactly what we do at Countryside Montessori School.
Safety, love, and cognitive growth are the cornerstones of our program.
Montessori Infant
(6 weeks-16 mo)
Our infant program nurtures the sense of trust and security in each child. Our Montessori trained infant guides prepare the classroom with guided exploration in mind.
Classroom is safe, secure and designed to meet the developmental needs of the youngest members of our community. Our guides follow the infants’ individual schedules and allow them to nap when they are tired, eat when they are hungry and explore when they are ready.
The Montessori Infant program is far from a daycare. It is an environment which focuses on all aspects of your child’s development with special focus on independence, language and cognitive growth. This is all done in a safe and loving environment.
Montessori Toddler
(16 mo - three years)
Toddlers desire independence, they need to be able to do things without assistance. To foster this desire, the children are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves. Toddlers are capable of so much if we give them the time and patience necessary for them to accomplish tasks on their time schedule.
Toddlers at Countryside are provided daily with opportunities to meet their physical, social and emotional needs. Our guides are ready to step in when the child needs help or encouragement. The curriculum includes activities that form the mathematical mind, activities that assist language development and lessons in grace and courtesy for social development.
Points of Interest
Our Nido community has 12 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 3 years
We maintain the adult to child ratio of 1:4 with a Montessori Guide and two assistant guides.
Our youngest infants (non mobil) have a designated area just for them.
Our guides may “wear” our youngest infants to create a sense of security.
Sign language is used throughout the community in order to help the young child communicate their needs effectively.
The children sleep on floor beds rather than cribs.
Children under the age of one are free to sleep when they are tired, and eat when they are hungry.
We practice baby led weaning.
We provide nutritional organic lunches and snacks.
We encourage cloth diapers.
