“We await the successive births in the soul of the child. We give all possible material, that nothing may lack to the growing soul, and then we watch for the perfect faculty to come, safeguarding the child from interruption so that it may carry its efforts through.”
A Little Bit About us
Cosmos Montessori is a home-based, authentic Montessori school located in San Francisco's Castro District. We emphasize eco-friendly living and mindfulness education, offering a unique Montessori program that promotes a sustainable lifestyle within the community. We firmly believe that our practices and the Montessori philosophy are deeply interconnected. Our mission is to educate children to find inner peace and become peaceful leaders in the world.
Montessori education nurtures a child's full potential. It emphasizes lifelong learning and encourages independence, self-discipline, and exploration. Each child works at their own pace and collaborates with peers to learn how to care for their environment. Children engage in individual and group activities, discovering, exploring, and working together based on their genuine interests.
The partnership with parents is a fundamental aspect of our program. We aim to empower all parents to feel more confident in their parenting. Our goal is to support you in acquiring the tools needed to nurture your children's natural desire for learning. Through this partnership, both parents and guides will share and promote the values of the Montessori philosophy, which encourages children to thrive.
THe Bridge
Our infant and toddler community provides a seamless transition from home to school. Our supportive atmosphere helps children prepare for Montessori Primary programs and other educational settings. In this environment, children can explore their interests and engage their natural curiosity outside the home. We also focus on developing their social and emotional skills.
We want all families to feel comfortable and confident sending their children to our community. Our guides are dedicated to assisting new parents during this transition and supporting the entire family. Our goal is for families to feel that this Montessori community is an extended family for them.
The Community
Our small Montessori community is thoughtfully designed to nurture curiosity, independence, and self-exploration in young children. In this loving environment, children naturally develop confidence and thrive as they learn essential life skills through collaboration with their peers and guides.
We also embrace diversity and international perspectives, celebrating the richness of different cultures. We encourage parents to share their customs, ceremonies, and culinary traditions. This approach exposes children to a vibrant tapestry of multicultural experiences within our community.
THe Children
We believe children are more capable than we often realize when we provide guidance and allow them to face challenges. In a carefully prepared environment, children feel safe exploring their potential and are encouraged to challenge themselves repeatedly until they achieve satisfaction.
Older children naturally take on the role of mentors for younger children, while the younger children learn from their older peers. This dynamic creates an opportunity for everyone to be both a mentor and a student within the community. This natural learning cycle thrives in a mixed-age Montessori environment.
The Peace
Peace education plays a vital role in Montessori philosophy, and we believe that this small community represents our future. As the guides show the children how to be harmonious members of our community, they naturally learn to become peaceful citizens who nurture it with love and kindness. Our goal is to teach the children how to cultivate peace and harmony within themselves so they can share that love and kindness with others.
The Guide
Miho Namba Alvarenga is a Montessori guide and a devoted mother, daughter, and wife. She was born and raised in Japan and moved to San Francisco in 2008 to further her education. Miho graduated from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary/Multiple Studies.
In 2015, Miho earned her AMI Assistants to Infancy Diploma (ages 0-3) from Montessori Northwest. She has been teaching in Nido and Toddler classrooms since 2014. Additionally, she has completed 30 units of Early Childhood Education (ECE), which contributes toward a program director-level teaching credential. As an immigrant woman, Miho is passionate about creating an anti-bias, anti-racism Montessori classroom that celebrates diversity, especially for minority communities.
Beyond her teaching role, Miho is a certified Infant Massage Trainer and a Positive Discipline Educator. She also offers Montessori Consultant Programs for families with children from prenatal up to age 3. Miho is dedicated to educating both children and parents as a whole.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, learning about and exploring different cultures, trying new foods, cooking, and taking walks with her child and husband. Miho has practiced meditation, Buddhism, and minimalism for over a decade.