Nido "nest" (infant) Environment The first thing you’ll see upon entering the Nido “nest” environment is its use of simple, natural materials which are meant to promote learning and development while encouraging a sense of calm, peace, order, beauty and security. Children are not bombarded and over stimulated with bright colors, loud sounds, and perpetual movement. Nor do infant swings, cribs, high chairs, or bouncy seats restrict their movement. Movement is encouraged and the Montessori environment is specifically designed to accommodate the variety of developmental movement milestones that occur within the first three years of life. Children are free to move and explore as they are developmentally ready. We offer full-time only in the Nido Environment.
Toddler Environment The Toddler environment is where basic motor coordination, independence and language development are fostered and individual personality is respected. It offers opportunities to explore and contribute to the environment in a meaningful way, and to observe the cause and effect relationship crucial to a toddler’s development. Rather than a classroom, it is a nurturing social community where very young children experience contact with other children and learn to participate in a cooperative group. Practical skills such as toileting, dressing, and food prep develop fine and gross motor skills, independence, self-esteem, a sense of order, and a joy of learning. Sensorial activities entice exploration and allow for classification of sensory impression. All of the activities are enhanced through language as their discoveries and experiences need names. We offer full or part time in this environment.
Primary (3-6) The Montessori classroom is prepared in such a way that the children work freely and independently after the Directress gives them the formal lessons. The mixed-aged grouping encourages the children to teach and learn from each other. The Directress’s role is one of the observer and guide as the children progress at their own pace. The environment is prepared to guide the learners toward a progression of skills. The uninterrupted work cycle is also a critical part in allowing the child to master each skill. The carefully prepared environment includes specially made materials for specified developmental skill progression. There are seven areas to the classroom environment: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Science, Geography, and Art. Each area indirectly trains them for proficiency in the main areas of traditional studies through real life, hands on exercises. The Primary class consists of children ages 3-6 so kindergarten is done is this class. The materials and teaching can take a child academically through 2nd grade in Music City Montessori’s environments. We offer full or part time in this environment including part time option for homeschoolers.
Elementary (6-9) The Elementary program is designed to continue to follow that child as in the younger environments. The children will continue to work with the Montessori materials. In addition to expanding on what they have learned in the Primary Environment the children will do more research, field trips out to do more hands on activities and more detailed studies of nature and other things that co-exists within our natural environments. This is a full time environment with a part time option for homeschoolers.