Nido: A Home Away From Home
18 Months - 2 Years
Welcome to our safe place for babies to grow and learn while feeling loved. Our Nido classroom makes it safe for children to begin reaching new milestones. Our Nido program is a total immersion program where children learn in Spanish. The classes introduce Spanish using the total immersion method; a proven teaching method used for many years by teachers and language experts.
IT'S A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR YOUR CHILD
Not a classroom, a Home!
​
A special place with many characteristics of the home.
What is Nido?
Nido in Montessori is designed for children to move and explore the area while guided by adults that are trained in this education style. There will be materials available that can engage and satisfy the child’s needs to grow. A significant part of Nido is that these younger children can develop new
independence skills and master the environment around them.
When children enter the Nido environment, it should feel like home to them. The room should always be warm, loving, caring, and, most importantly, full of respect for the children. This area should be safe for the children to move around and be thoroughly clean. In addition to physical milestones like fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language, hand-eye coordination, and more, it is also a place for children to begin learning life skills. Children will begin the process of feeding themselves. This will also be a safe place for toilet training to begin.
The Nido Environment
As mentioned, the entire purpose behind Nido is to create a warm, home-like environment for children to explore safely. The Nido classroom is not only calm but inviting for children. There are soft rugs, chairs, books on low shelves, and a variety of safe materials for children to work with. the decorations are muted, with soft colors and a peaceful appearance.
​
The materials are designed to promote independence and build your child’s character. A minimalistic approach is a major part of Montessori, and the materials presented helps foster concentration, problem-solving, and a sense of achievement.
First Friends-Happy Children
Making first friends and learning how to function within a community is a life shaping experience for your child. Your child emerges with strong friendships that will continue as she moves through the rest of the programs at Princeton Preparatory Schools.
​
Maria Montessori once said “One test of the correctness of the educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Take a peek into our Toddler classroom and you will see children who are happy, engaged and deeply connected to their friends and teachers. As a result your child develops a deep affinity for school and a true love-for-learning.
Christian Environment
Faith speaks the language of the heart. It is an expression of hope that goes beyond the conscious mind.
​
Having a faith upbringing supports three main ideas. First, it gives children a sense of connectedness with others outside their family. Second, it can be a guiding force and give children a moral compass. And lastly, it gives them a sense of gratitude.
​
We incorporate prayer, songs and stories to teach faith.
Potty Training
We work closely with the child and family to help foster independence in the restroom.
The morning work cycle includes regular reminders to visit the restroom as well as scheduled bathroom breaks. It incorporates time for the child to be successful as they learn through experience.
​
By the time a child is 3 years old, we aim for complete bathroom independence to enable him or her to move up into the primary classroom.
Language and Motor Skills
Large motor skills, fine motor skills and coordination are enhanced by the child’s work with specially designed Montessori materials, while activities such as dancing, gardening, washing, sweeping, and sing-alongs provide opportunities for further refinement of movement.
​
Language development is emphasized throughout the morning as the Guide and her Assistant offer each child new vocabulary, encourage conversation, model good syntax and share stories, songs and poems.
​Transitioning
The Nido program is led by a trained Montessori Guide who is assisted by 1 Assistant. The class has a maximum size of 10 children. Staff in the Nido have the necessary patience, warmth and affection needed to care for young children.
Children in the Nido are guaranteed placement in our Toddler classroom. Children transition between 22 to 24 months, in accordance with their individual development.
