CREATIVE GARDENING
We garden weekly with the students to foster creativity, curiosity, and a connection with nature. These hands-on experiences can also teach valuable lessons about plant life cycles, the importance of pollinators, and the joy of growing your own food. Building “bug hotels” to create a habitat for beneficial insects. We use and teach all about the compost, to introduce the concept of composting and its role in reducing waste. The children also experiment with different methods of sprouting seeds seasonally, exploring the science of plant growth.
ATELIER
This space is our art studio/workshop for all of our little artists. The Atelier fosters growth by encouraging exploration, creativity, and critical thinking through hands-on experiences and artistic expression. MMNS places an emphasis on process – It’s not just about the final product but the journey of learning, questioning, and creating. This space provides a platform for expressing ideas and experimenting with different forms of art materials, fostering imagination and innovative thinking. Art is a powerful tool for self-discovery and emotional expression, promoting well-being and personal development.
COOKING
Cooking is one our all time favorite activities that is done almost every day here at MMNS. We utilize ingredients grown from our children’s creative gardening, various fruit trees on the property, and eggs from our very own school chicken. Cooking teaches practical skills like reading comprehension, writing(when documenting & creating their own recipes), math(measuring ingredients, adjusting quantities, and understanding ratios), time management(figuring out how long it takes to mix ingredients and cook), while also fostering creativity(children are given the freedom to expand on any recipe), responsibility, and even an understanding of science(how do ingredients react with heat or cold, liquids turning into solids), teamwork and culture.
WOODWORKING
Yes, we use REAL tools here at MMNS, including hammers, drills, nails, screw drivers, saws etc. The children LOVE learning hands-on skills and building different things. Even at Preschool age, they are so much more capable than you may think. Kids learn essential life skills like hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. They also develop creativity, critical thinking, and an understanding of basic engineering concepts. Working with wood requires precision and control, which translates to improved dexterity and the ability to handle objects with care and accuracy. Measuring, cutting, and assembling wood pieces involves spatial reasoning, measurement, and geometric concepts, enhancing mathematical thinking. Children learn to visualize a project, plan the steps involved, and make decisions about materials and techniques.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
There is a teacher in every classroom that speaks Spanish with the children. The teachers plan ongoing activities throughout each month that incorporate different methods of counting, reading and games in the Spanish language for all students. Children are always encouraged to speak their home language at school, the teachers welcome the opportunity to learn from the children as well to create more open communication and for everyone to feel more at home.
GYMNASTICS WITH COACH MIKE
Gymnastics with Coach Mike aims to cohesively bring together gymnastics instruction, life lessons and sports fundamentals. He teaches fundamental gymnastics in a fun and non-competitive way. He is first aid certified, USAG instructor certified, and holds credits in early childhood education. Classes run for 30 minutes once a week and are broken up into age appropriate groups.
Additional fees apply.
LIBRARY OF RESOURCES
Our Materials Resource Library is a magical and playful space where extended exploration and self-expression take place through the “hundred symbolic languages” of children. In small collaborative groups, an interest or theory begun within the larger indoor/outdoor classroom can be explored in depth away from the distractions of other activities. The beautiful and comfortable learning environment includes an indoor and outdoor component. Theater and music and movement happen on the beautiful outside deck, built by our local Eagle Scouts.
MMNS CHILD DEVELOPMENT TEAM
At MMNS our team of professionals are available to discuss typical development, listen to concerns, make suggestions for home and school, advise, make recommendations, explain programs outside the school, and make appropriate referrals if requested. These consultations are part of the educational program at MMNS. Parents are encouraged to contact any of these professionals through the Director.
These professionals include:
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- speech therapy
- behavioral therapy
- infant stimulation therapy
