"Free the child 's potential and you will transform him into the world."
- Maria Montessori
Enrolling now!
Brooklyn Children's House Montessori School is an in-home early childhood education program for children starting at (or near) 22 months - 3 years old, founded in the spring of 2018 by co-directors and educators Lisa Bruno and Gyrchel Moore. After more than a decade of collective experience in larger school settings, we recognized the need for a more intimate, home-like environment that prioritizes a child's individual interests over rigid schedules. Inspired by Maria Montessori's original "Casa dei bambini," or "The Children's House," in Italy, we created a nurturing space for Brooklyn's youngest learners.
Our Montessori environment is designed to be both inviting and purposeful. Unlike typical early childhood settings, we utilize natural colors and keep walls largely free of distractions, featuring only children's own art and select classical and modern artwork that reflects the seasons, children's interests, and shared culture. We intentionally avoid plastic, opting instead for real-life items made from natural materials, all sized appropriately to encourage maximum independence. Children engage in practical life skills such as pouring a cup of water, feeding fish, sweeping with child-sized brooms, and wiping a spill.
The environment is also equipped with traditional Montessori materials that facilitate discovery in art, math, language, practical life, and sensory exploration. Daily outdoor excursions encourage running, climbing, digging, exploring, and playing, with activities like gardening, nature exploration, insect observation, and gross motor development.
Grace and Courtesy are central to our curriculum. Through role-playing, teachers guide children through practical routines, such as proper sneezing etiquette, and social-emotional development, like responding to unwanted names. We also incorporate lessons on body autonomy and consent, teaching children how to appropriately ask for, accept, or decline a hug.
We practice positive discipline, establishing consistent boundaries and expectations within a structured and predictable environment. Children thrive with clear language and a consistent schedule, which helps them understand their role in the community. When a child struggles with an expectation, we engage calmly and patiently at their level. For conflicts, we teach calming techniques like deep breathing or taking a break in a cozy area. Once calm, we discuss resolution strategies and continue to support children through our Grace and Courtesy lessons.