Grano Montessori Studio
Where Childhood and Parenthood Grow Together
Grano Montessori Studio
Where Childhood and Parenthood Grow Together
Our Space
We have settled into our space at 515 S Woodscrest and are excited to be finishing up our first year in this beautiful location.
After three wonderful years of gathering in the home of founder Amanda Grano, our little community has grown and has expanded into its own dedicated space at Grano Montessori Studio. This new studio allows us to continue offering the same thoughtful playgroups, classes, and connection — with even more room for children to explore and families to come together.
We hope to see you soon at the Studio!
Grano Montessori Offerings
Montessori Playgroups
The foundational offering of Grano Montessori. Playgroups offer a warm, supportive space where young children can explore a thoughtfully prepared environment while caregivers observe, connect, and learn together. Meeting weekly, these gatherings help build confidence, community, and a deeper understanding of child development. It’s a gentle rhythm for both children and the adults who walk alongside them.
Sessions are led by Amanda Grano.
Ages served: Baby Group is for birth - about 18months, Toddler Group is for about 18m- 3 years, Preschool Group is for 2.5 - 5 years.
Yoga & Play Group
Yoga & Play is a gentle gathering designed for both caregiver and child. Each class begins with a short, supportive postpartum yoga flow for adults, followed by open play and conversation while children explore the prepared environment. It’s a space to reconnect with your body, your child, and a supportive community.
Sessions are led by Amanda Grano.
Ages served: 6 weeks postpartum to about 4 years.
Music & Play
Exploration & Play: A Messy Play Group
Music & Play brings families together for joyful music-making and open-ended exploration. Each gathering begins with songs, rhythm, movement, and instruments, followed by time for children to play and caregivers to connect in the prepared studio space. It’s a lively and welcoming way to experience music, play, and community together.
Sessions are led by Hillary Harpold.
Ages served: birth to about 4 years.
Exploration & Play: A Messy Play Group
Exploration & Play: A Messy Play Group
Exploration & Play is a sensory-rich play group where children are invited to engage in open-ended, hands-on experiences designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery. Each session features a variety of thoughtfully prepared sensory invitations that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and imaginative play.
Leave the preparation and clean-up to us and enjoy the magic of messy play together.
Sessions are led by Hillary Harpold.
Ages served: about 2 years to 6 years.
Guided Play: Pediatric OT Led Playgroups
Guided Play: Pediatric OT Led Playgroups
This group offers children and their grown-ups the opportunity to learn and grow together through play. Led by a pediatric occupational therapist, each session features thoughtfully prepared play experiences that support sensory regulation, motor development, and everyday life skills.
Caregivers are encouraged to observe, ask questions, and gain practical strategies to support their child's development, making this a welcoming space for both children and the adults who care for them.
Sessions are led by Jessica Flanigan.
Ages served: Birth to about 7 years.
The Parenting Well Groups
Guided Play: Pediatric OT Led Playgroups
Welcoming, judgment-free support groups where parents and their children can build confidence, connection, and community while navigating the many stages of parenthood.
Each session offers space for meaningful conversation, shared experiences, and practical support on topics related to child development, family relationships, parental wellbeing, and the everyday joys and challenges of raising children.
Sessions are led by Julianna Holmes.
Ages served: Pregnant parent through about 18 months postpartum.
Birth Story Workshops
Birth Story Workshops
Birth Story Workshops
Birth Story Writing Workshops offer a supportive space to reflect on, process, and honor your birth experience through storytelling. Whether your birth feels joyful, challenging, transformative, or unresolved, this workshop invites you to explore your story through guided writing prompts, personal reflection, and optional sharing in a compassionate community setting.
No writing experience is necessary—just a willingness to connect with your experience and give your story the time and space it deserves. This workshop is open to anyone who has given birth, regardless of how long ago their birth experience occurred.
Led by Hillary Harpold & Amara Stuehling.
Music Classes
Birth Story Workshops
Birth Story Workshops
We offfer regular music class sessions led by Hillary Harpold.
One-Time Classes
Birth Story Workshops
One-Time Classes
We offer a variety of one-time classes of our different offerings each month. Please check the schedule regularly to see the current offerings.
See specific one-time class to see who is leading.
Our Signature Offering: Montessori Adult and Child Playgroup
Grano Montessori in Bloomington, Indiana, offers thoughtfully designed playgroups that give parents and caregivers a meaningful way to connect with their children in a prepared Montessori environment. These groups provide a unique opportunity to support your child’s growing independence while learning more about their natural development through shared experience.
Each element of the space—furniture, materials, and layout—is intentionally chosen to encourage movement, coordination, language, independence, self-discipline, and early cognitive growth.
Montessori philosophy teaches us that the first six years of life are foundational to a child’s development. During this time, children absorb everything from their environment and build the skills they’ll carry throughout life. Our playgroups are designed to honor and support this incredible stage of growth.
The adult-and-child format emphasizes your vital role as your child’s first teacher. Through hands-on exploration and quiet observation, you’ll witness your child’s development unfold in a natural, respectful way—while also gaining tools and inspiration for supporting them at home.
All sessions are led by Amanda Grano, a Montessori-trained educator with years of experience guiding young children and mentoring parents. Amanda supports both adults and children in the space, introducing developmentally appropriate activities and helping each child build confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging.
These classes also help to deepen understanding of Montessori philosophy and its application in the home. Through both interaction and observation, parents and caregivers gain valuable insight regarding their infant and child’s path of development.
Each week we have a discussion topic (with an informational email sent prior to meeting) pertaining to child development and parenting, and serves as a jumping off point for the adults to share and exchange information with each other. Topics are chosen based on what is observed during group or requested.
Topics may include:
• Observation
• Food and nutrition
• Sleep
• Setting up the optimal home environment
• Communication and language development
• Development of movement – fine and gross motor skills
• Diapering, toilet learning
• Personality development
• Mobiles, music, materials/toys, and play
• Sensitive periods
• Encouraging independence
• Discipline and behavior concerns
Along with the selected multi-week sessions and weekly discussion topics, registered new families receive a book on Montessori with the young child.
For further information on the Montessori Playgroups, send Amanda an email or message her on Instagram or Facebook!
WAITLIST is open!
You can always join the Waitlist! SIGN UP HERE
See schedule for details.
Please contact Amanda at granomontessori@gmail.com for more information.
