El Nido

"I discovered El Nido through a Mom’s group and I am so glad to have found this supportive environment Corine provides for infant and toddler kids. I decided to join the toddler class when my daughter had just turned one and started walking. I needed a weekday activity to do with her in a more structured environment. Not only is my daughter having a great time and learning skills, but I am also learning how to strengthen my communication skills with my daughter and learning how to foster the most supportive play area for her. Corine is there to guide both you and your child. She does such a masterful job of giving you and your child such an enjoyable experience through play, snack and story time. The available activities in the space are also great Montessori styled things which gives you ideas you can implement at home."

"My son and I have been going to the parent-infant and now parent-toddler class at El Nido, A Montessori Nest; A parent - toddler playgroup. It’s an activity that both of us look forward to every week. It gives me an opportunity to connect with other moms with baby/toddler of similar age, where we can ask questions, share our experiences in a very supportive environment. I particularly enjoy learning how to interact with my young toddler in a respectful way that allow freedom to explore and practice skills to become “independent” while also set boundary. My son loves the beautiful and organized play space, there are toys and everyday items that he can explore and practice age appropriate skills e.g. pouring water into a jar and stepping on sensory floor tile. Not to mention he really enjoy being around kids of similar age. Overall coming to this play group has been a very rewarding experience, I would recommend El Nido and Corine to any caregivers with babies and toddlers!"

"Corine is an amazing fount of patience and modeling respect for children! This Montessori and RIE playgroup has been invaluable in teaching me what, specifically, it means to follow the child in fostering their independence in activities and materials specifically provided for their stage of development. Even watching my child set their table themselves for snack absolutely astounded me! Corine provides a carefully curated environment that allows parents to really see just how much their child can do independently when given the right materials and freedom to choose the activity that calls to them. This group has also been an invaluable link between home and school for us. My eldest child goes to a Montessori school, and my middle one has been going to this playgroup as I know it will serve as a more smooth transition for him to Montessori school as well. Even further, we plan on joining the infant playgroup for our baby to learn even more about respect for our youngest child. And perhaps, even more valuable, are the connections we are able to make with other parents. Corine’s playgroup allows us to come together as a community to strengthen our bonds with our children and to support one another on our parenting journey."

"El Nido has been a wonderful experience for my son and I. I have watched him evolve and become more independent with every class. Corine’s patience, calmness and idea of encouraging independent play provide such peace of mind. The class is amazing. I encourage every family to try it out!"

"Bless Corine and her seemingly-endless patience. I have been wanting to write this review for a long time, mulling the words around in my mind. How best to accurately convey something that has made such an impact in my family’s life? I have been attending the Parent-Infant Gatherings with my son for several months. I found Corine Noronha and El Nido through the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Mom4Mom group and I am endlessly glad I did. As parents we are continually bombarded with information, parenting styles, and unsolicited advice. When I started looking around for ways to socialize my infant (we were new to Sugar Land and I had few local friends, much less friends with kids), all I had was a generally way of parenting that I wanted to foster. While these playgroups are Montessori-based, their guiding principle is developmentally-appropriate based on actual observation of your child, not strictly Montessori for the sake of being so. Educational philosophies aside, here are some actual things that I have gained from the class that improved my day-to-day: 1. Communication with my infant (now almost toddler): finding a way to talk my son through things we are doing to encourage cooperation and decrease meltdowns. This kid now lets me put his shirts over his head without a peep, and we all know how much they hate that. I also (after some practice) can tell my son “no” to safety concerns and redirect without using that word so much. When I say it now, it gets his attention almost immediately and he knows it’s important. 2. Communication with others: I can personally bring assertive and explaining parenting choices to family and others. An educator by trade (and calling, seriously), Corine has given thoughtful insights on how to handle these situations when asked. I cannot explain how peaceful and “heard” I feel when I hear her ask if I would like an alternative approach. 3. A weekly hour of peace and non-judgment: Corine has cultivated a clean and safe place for infants and toddlers to play and interact with each other. We parents sit on the sides of the room, observing, sharing our observations and things we may be struggling with while Corine moves through the room, facilitating safe play and child interactions. 4. A home full of “yes spaces”: Corine includes a home visit for new families to help identify things that cause you anxiety with your little and helpful tips to make spaces where your child can play independently with fewer “no’s.” It was so helpful to make my space serve me (not the other way around) and she even helped me move furniture around to accomplish this. Broadly speaking, this playgroup has helped foster a love on independent play, encouraged me to observe my son and see what his actions and interests are conveying, provided me with support as a first-time mom, and meaningfully support my son’s development. The infant playgroup is for infants up to early walkers, and there are Montessori toddler playgroups for the older littles. This group has allowed my son Owen to socialize and flourish while teaching me how to meet him where he is developmentally and gain strategies to parent with intention and respect. As a new mom in a new area, I am so grateful to have found a village, and took full advantage of the included home visit to help make our space at home a “Yes Space” to encourage safe exploration and independent play. Come join us!"