Music & Movement

Fill YOUR Montessori School with SMART Montessori Music!

Why SMART Montessori Music? 

• Though yes, my educational background is engineering, I have always had a passion for music and young children since my middle school years. 

• I have earned my CDA and Montessori Certification for infants and toddlers and completed the Montessori Music Curriculum training for primary and elementary. 

• I have many years of experience providing music with infants through elementary-aged children both through volunteering at church and as a paid music teacher at private schools. 

• I have 18 months FOCUSED experience in providing daily music theory, singing, and music & movement to infants and toddlers in my own school and over 15 years of experience providing weekly music classes in private schools.  

• Through that time, I was able to test and try out new ways of approaching each child's personality as well as their developmental stage to figure out the best way to present music to them. 

Why a "formal" (regular, consistent, and curriculum based) music program with infants/toddlers? 

• Music incorporates all development areas of the Montessori curriculum in a fun way: Spanish, fine motor, large motor, science, language, coordination, culture, concentration, and especially math.

• Infants’ and toddlers’ communication skills blossom through music, learning both words and signs for those words as they continue to increase their language skills. 

• Music is math-based, so through rhythms and later on music theory, children learn early math skills and will easily be able to apply it. 

• I have several songs that through my experience having a Spanish Immersion environment at my school, I know in both languages. 

How can music be incorporated into the classroom curriculum as Maria Montessori intended it to be? 

• Theoretically, singing and music movement should be occurring at least twice EACH day, especially for those children that are in attendance the full day. 

• What better to do on a wet rainy or scalding hot day then get extra energy out with music & movement activities? 

• However, many teachers only know a few songs and/or do not feel comfortable initiating music and especially music & movement in the Montessori classroom (i.e.: "I can't sing"; "I am embarrassed", "I only know 3 songs", etc.). 

• I encourage teacher participation in my classes even if just as an observer at the beginning, so that the songs and basic rhythm lessons I teach can eventually be reiterated daily in the classroom as well as help the teachers become more comfortable with their musical abilities. 

How often should a school bring in a special music teacher each week to benefit the children the most? 

• Since a daily music "special" is not possible in most school's budgets and classroom logistics, I recommend coming to your school twice per week. 

• However, I understand since school has already started and budgets set for the year, you may not be able to commit this year to more than once per week. 

• I have set pricing accordingly depending on how many times a week and for how long each day you are able to participate at this time.

Music & Movement Class Length for all Ages 

• Infants/Young Toddlers (18 mo and younger) - 20-30 minute sessions (mostly music and movement with sign language, singing with actions, Spanish) depending on their attention level and developmental age...many grow into 30 minutes sessions within a few months, even with the youngest ones

• Toddlers/Pre-Primary - 30 minute sessions (includes music & movement, singing/signing, rhythm sticks/bells/shakers/scarves and introduction to music theory including keeping steady beat and basic dynamics) 

• Primary (mix of 3-5 yrs OR all above 4 yrs)/Elementary - RECOMMENDED: 30-minute sessions for twice/week OR 60-minute sessions for once/week (includes full Montessori Music Curriculum).  Recommended full class comes for first 30 min session and then those 4 ½ and older come for a second 30 min session to concentrate on the full Montessori music theory works. 

• Primary - MINIMUM: 30-minute sessions once per week only focusing on one of the curriculum areas with additional areas covered as time allows: music & movement/playing instruments OR music theory/appreciation. Focus can be altered throughout the month to give them an overview of all areas if desired. 

Hourly Cost 

• Hourly rate: $45/hr  

• Discounted Bulk Hourly Rate: $40/hr for at least 2 ½ hrs in one week 

• 1 parent music program is included in monthly fees. However, additional programs will incur a $200/event setup fee. 

NOTE: 24-hour notice must be given to cancel or decrease the number of hours of any week’s classes, or regular full-day rate will be charged. If normally charged at bulk rate and 2 or more weeks in a month fall below 2 1/2 hr threshold, then the rate will go back to the regular hourly rate. 

Class Size as Part of the School Program

The ENTIRE class attends!

• Infants (all ages): Max of 8 in their classroom OR Max of 4 in Large Motor Room…those infants not able to sit up by themselves yet, can be placed in teachers' laps (including mine) and/or in a car seat or bouncy chair if you happen to still have them in your classroom. ALL ages of infants benefit from music time, especially with the sign language I incorporate in each song. 

• Older Infants/Young Toddler's: Max of 8-10 with both teachers in their classroom or large motor room. 

• Montessori Toddler/Pre-Primary Class (under 4 yrs): Max of 10-12 with one teacher in attendance in a large motor room. If there are consistently 14 or more children in a class, we will need to split the class into 2 music groups or create a 3rd group out of 2 toddler/Pre-Primary classes. This is to ensure safety as well as the ability to continue the movement curriculum in a safe, fun manner so all children can benefit and participate. When class sizes go over 12 consistently, they are overwhelming to many children, or some children become too stimulated and hyper and cannot follow the movements any longer at this age. Please keep this in mind as we work out the best schedule for your school this fall. 

• Montessori Primary (mixed age OR all over 4 yrs)/Elementary Class: Max of 25-28 with at least one teacher in attendance in a large motor room

Credentials for Owner, Tawnya Smart 

BS from Texas A&M, CDA-Certified in Infant/Toddler, NAMT-Certified Montessori 0-3 Teacher and Primary Montessori Music Curriculum Graduate

References for Owner, Tawnya Smart 

Breckinridge Montessori (2009-present), Owner - Farat Mann 972-664-9828  

Exceptional Minds Montessori (2002-03 & 2014-16 Owner/Dir), Breckinridge Dir. (2023-pres.) - Gabimarie Merino 972-805-6817 

Warren Montessori (2014-19) Little Elephant Mont. (2021) Director – Elizabeth Campbell 972-632-6743 

Montessori Academy at Westridge (2014-2018) Director – Christina Capalbo-Silva 714-717-0374