FAQ
What are the benefits of a Bilingual Montessori program for my child?
Neuroscience shows that the early years are a “sensitive period” for language. At BMLA, bilingualism isn’t a subject—it’s a daily experience. This “brain workout” improves executive function, problem-solving, and empathy. By combining Spanish immersion with the Montessori method, we help children develop 360-degree brain plasticity while gaining practical life skills.
Is BMLA an authentic Montessori school?
Yes. Founded in 2018 by Claudia Medina (30+ years of experience with AMI and AMS backgrounds), our academy follows the true Montessori philosophy. We use mixed-age classrooms, hands-on learning materials, and child-led discovery to foster a lifelong love of learning.
How does Spanish Immersion work if we don’t speak Spanish at home?
Most of our families are not native Spanish speakers! Our “Lab” approach allows children to absorb the language naturally through songs, routines, and peer interaction. Because the Montessori environment is so visual and hands-on, children understand the context before they even learn the words.
What are the benefits of a Bilingual Montessori program for my child?
Neuroscience shows that the early years are a “sensitive period” for language. At BMLA, bilingualism isn’t a subject—it’s a daily experience. This “brain workout” improves executive function, problem-solving, and empathy. By combining Spanish immersion with the Montessori method, we help children develop 360-degree brain plasticity while gaining practical life skills.
A Child-Led Approach That Sparks Independence
The Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy is an authentic Bilingual Montessori School. We believe children learn best when they feel trusted, respected, and inspired.
Montessori is an educational approach that encourages children to explore at their own pace using hands-on materials and real-life activities.
Instead of memorizing facts, children discover concepts through experience. They choose their work, move freely, and take ownership of their learning.
Teachers serve as guides, observing each child closely and offering support when needed. The classroom is calm, beautiful, and built for independence.
This approach nurtures focus, creativity, problem-solving, and a deep love of learning—skills that last far beyond childhood.
Why Spanish Immersion Montessori?
How Bilingual Learning Transforms a Child’s Brain and Heart
In an increasingly connected world, speaking more than one language is much more than an academic skill — it’s a doorway to new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others. At Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy, we believe that the bilingual brain doesn’t just grow cognitively — it expands emotionally and culturally as well.
The Magic of the Child’s Brain
From birth, the human brain is prepared to learn any language in the world.
The first years of life are a period of extraordinary brain plasticity — neural connections grow, strengthen, and reorganize according to the child’s experiences.
That’s why, in Montessori education, the linguistic environment matters so deeply: every word, every conversation, every shared story helps build the foundations of thought and communication.
Bilingualism: A Workout for the Brain
Neuroscience has shown that bilingual children develop greater mental flexibility, sustained attention, and problem-solving abilities.
Their brains learn to move between two linguistic systems — to “activate” one and “pause” the other — which strengthens their executive functions, the same skills we use to focus, plan, and make decisions.
At Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy, children don’t “learn” English and Spanish as separate subjects; they live both languages as part of their natural environment. They listen, play, read, and converse in both languages with guides who model linguistic richness in an organic and respectful way.
Montessori and the Sensitive Period for Language
Maria Montessori observed that children go through a sensitive period for language from birth to about six years of age.
During this stage, their minds absorb language with ease and enthusiasm.
In our bilingual environment, we take advantage of this natural window by offering meaningful experiences in both languages: songs, stories, concrete materials, real conversations, and shared readings. This way, bilingualism develops without pressure, with joy, and in harmony with the rhythms of the child’s brain.
Language, reading, and the love of learning
The path to reading begins long before recognizing letters.
It starts with oral language, with the wonder of words, with the desire to communicate and make sense of the world.
In Montessori education, children learn to read and write naturally — through movement, sound, and meaning.
Each material, from the sandpaper letters to the movable alphabet, is designed to connect mind, body, and emotion.
And when a child finds joy in language, their brain releases dopamine — the “happiness” neurotransmitter — creating a virtuous circle: the more they enjoy, the more they learn; and the more they learn, the more they want to keep discovering.
A Community that Embraces Diversity
Being part of a bilingual community means living with different cultures, accents, and perspectives.
At Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy, we celebrate that diversity. Each language is a unique way of seeing the world, and by mastering both, children develop empathy, respect, and a truly global mind.
At Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy, we accompany every child on this wonderful journey of language — where science, heart, and education come together to nurture whole, free, and bilingual human beings.
Explore Our Programs
BMLA Primary Program (Ages 3–6)
At BMLA, our Montessori Primary Program nurtures the natural curiosity and independence of young learners in a bilingual environment. Children explore hands-on materials that build foundational skills in math, language, and practical life while gaining confidence and focus. In our classrooms, students hear and speak both English and Spanish throughout the day, growing their language through songs, storytelling, and meaningful daily routines. Mixed-age groupings create a strong sense of community, where older children lead and mentor younger ones, reinforcing their knowledge while developing empathy and leadership.
BMLA Elementary Program (Ages 6–9)
Our Elementary Program supports students through their most imaginative and socially aware years, offering a bilingual education that builds independence and curiosity. Children explore big ideas through research, creative projects, and interdisciplinary work in science, language, geography, math, and art. With Spanish immersion and biliteracy at the core, students read, write, and present in both languages across subjects, strengthening their communication and cultural understanding. Leadership and collaboration flourish in our mixed-age classrooms, where students learn to support each other and grow with purpose.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND US?
1044 Dunlop Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130
Frequently Asked Questions
BMLA welcomes children aged 3 to 9 years old. Our programs are designed to provide a bilingual and biliterate education while nurturing and enriching your child’s experience during these critical formative years.
At BMLA, we offer a comprehensive bilingual education in Spanish and English. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to immerse students in both languages, fostering fluency and proficiency in both linguistic realms.
Choosing The Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy education for your child is a profound investment—not just in language, but in cognitive development, cultural awareness, and lifelong learning.
At Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy, we are proud to offer a program rooted in scientific understanding, Montessori values, and a vision for the future. We are here to partner with you, support your child’s growth, and celebrate the journey of becoming a bilingual, compassionate, and capable human being.