El Nido Family
Play,
Community
& Support
A journey of seeing, understanding, and nurturing the whole child — from the very first days.
El Nido Family
A journey of seeing, understanding, and nurturing the whole child — from the very first days.
My Story
From the first visit to a Montessori school to building a community where families feel supported.
2003
2016 – 2021
2021
Now
8 weeks – early cruisers
An intentional space for you & baby: to slow down, be present and build trust in your baby's innate abilities to move, explore and learn. Join us to marvel at how capable and competent your baby is and find a supportive community.
"Respecting infants as whole human beings begins with seeing them as capable and competent."
— Magda Gerber
A gentle, unhurried space where infants are seen as capable and competent — free to move, explore, and discover at their own pace.
As your baby grows more mobile, we create the space for spontaneous, self-initiated movement — nurturing the intrinsic motivation to explore and master their world.
Confident walkers · 3 years
Toddlers are my favorite humans — they see the world with so much awe and wonder! They desire so much to understand this world which is so new to them. They desire to understand how things work, to participate in life at home, to understand feelings, experiences and relationships: how do I belong with you? How do you see me?
They want to be considered as contributing members of family & society — their constant pleas for "help me do it myself", if met with support and guidance, can lead to a burgeoning sense of self that says, "I can do it!"
If only the world could slow down to meet their pace!
Join us to follow the pace, the stages and the interests of toddlers so we can observe to understand and understand to support them in a space that is guided by RIE and Montessori to foster their developing sense of self-awareness and capabilities. Some classes are hosted at Montessori schools or a space that allows for a deeper engagement with a thoughtfully prepared environment to meet their emerging skills.
Watch this space for announcements — and express your interest to join one below.
Care and Support
Every family I've interacted with desires deeply to build a nurturing, supportive relationship with their children. My journey with Montessori and RIE offered me understanding & support on my own parenting journey — and continue to do so. This need for understanding and support is universal and I wish this deeply for every family.
It's the first step to making your little one feel — "aah! this is my space." A thoughtfully prepared home environment communicates to your child that this space is safe to move, explore, and discover what they are capable of. Together, we will “create” a space that honours their developmental stage and invites their curiosity.
Get in Touch →Parenting is the most challenging job that nobody prepares us for. In my years of working with children and families and in my own parenting, I've learned there's a universal need for children to feel understood, considered and be fully seen and heard.
How do we create a space for this relationship that is respectful, trusting and reciprocal? What are we missing? How do we support their stages of development to meet their needs?
Building a trusting relationship in the early years sets the stage for the later years. Book a discovery call to explore the support you need.
Get in Touch →At Home
Your home is your child's first learning environment. I love guiding families through the lens of a child to help understand & support the child's need for independence & order. Whether you need guidance setting up spaces that invite independent play, support coaching a nanny or family member, or help choosing toys that are developmentally meaningful — I'm here to help you create a home that speaks to your child.
At School
I love partnering with schools and families to bridge understanding of children's developing needs. Whether supporting a classroom guide, strengthening the school-family relationship, or coaching around a specific child's needs — I bring a warm, RIE and Montessori-informed lens. What does your school need?
Get in Touch
About Corine
I'm passionate about infants and toddlers feeling understood and supported. I imagine a world where communities are intentionally designed to include, empower, educate, guide and support families from the very beginning.
My journey began in 2003, and has taken me through Montessori certification, years of working with children, families and studio playgroups, and a deep immersion in the transformative philosophy of RIE. Every step has been guided by the families who trusted me with their most precious moments. (Currently a RIE practicum student and a lifelong learner.)
Families
★★★★★
"Since attending the classes, I have seen my son become more independent along with improving his fine motor skills. Corine has helped me step back and allow him to figure it out on his own. I have seen so much growth."
★★★★★
"El Nido is a true community. The space Corine has created is thoughtful, warm, and unlike anything I have found anywhere else. My daughter lights up the moment we walk through the door."
More from our families
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Connect
Have a question about our classes? Ready to join? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out and we'll be in touch.
Phone (text only)
Location
Missouri City, Texas
Classes at St. Catherine's Montessori
