Infant Program (Nido Program)

St. Mark Christian Montessori School is proud to offer the highest quality care for your child. We accept infants and toddlers beginning at six weeks old. We will work with you to meet the individual needs of your child.

The first 6 years of a child’s life is where they develop more than any other time. This is why each of our programs is focused on delivering a curriculum to help each child learn, explore and grow in a caring and carefully created environment.

Nido means “nest” in Italian. A Nido Montessori Classrooms creates a cozy, loving, calm and home-like environment where the youngest students are free to explore and learn in an environment created just for them. Maria Montessori created this classroom for these young students to reach milestones in an environment where each individual need is met.

Our Curriculum includes circle time, shapes, colors, letters, and numbers, story time, music, art, Bible stories and so much more.

Our curriculum places significant emphasis on Christian education and spiritual formation. Within this framework, young students actively engage with Bible stories, participate in uplifting Bible songs, learn about the lives of saints, and pray before every meal.

Toddler Program

Teachers prepare the learning environment for children, focusing on fundamental practical life activities, sensorial experiences, art, and music, all aimed at laying a strong foundation for their upcoming preschool years.

During the toddler phase, children absorb information from their environment through observation and immersion in their environment.

Central to the infant/toddler program are everyday tasks and routines, with a special emphasis on sensorial and practical life activities. These elements form the cornerstone of our approach, nurturing independence, coordination, concentration, and order. Our program is thoughtfully crafted to support holistic development, encompassing social, emotional, physical, and cognitive aspects.

Moreover, we extend the influence of Christian education and spiritual formation by incorporating additional elements such as engaging Bible stories, creative crafts, singing, prayer before meals, and more. The following list provides an overview of some of the activities we focus on with our students:

  • Shows independence, mimics others, shows/understands emotions, be able to communicate need/wants, plays well w/others, etc.

  • Follows instructions, repeats words, knows teachers/classmates, recognizes some animals, shapes, colors, letters, numbers and body par and things in books, pictures and in songs.

  • Build w/ blocks and Legos, imitates facial expressions, knows familiar sounds, understands sharing, is able to scribble with a crayon, etc.

  • Walks up and down the stairs, dance, run, hold rope, hop, kick a ball, etc.

  • Be able to feed themselves, hold a cup, can sit on the potty, recognizes belongings like shoes, jacket, etc., clean up after themselves (throw away food, plates and wipe area), be able to sit for 5-7 minutes in circle time and during reading time.