Our Philosophy
Our programs and methods are inspired by Waldorf and Montessori education. Young children are supported at this critical developmental stage with an emphasis on imaginative play, purposeful work, movement, social and artistic endeavors, and language development. Children are allowed to grow up sensibly and slowly. Our environment provides a warm, secure, lovely place in which a child’s imagination and sense of self will flourish.
"The plant-seeds spring in the womb of Earth
And Waters rain from Heaven's heights.
So does Love spring in human hearts
And Wisdom water the thoughts of men."
-Rudolf Steiner
Play
Play is not only a child’s real work in life, it is the foundation of creativity yet to come. For the young child, play is a way of understanding the world and is vital for healthy emotional and intellectual development. The inner forces of imagination, cognition, and flexibility, which are developed during play, become the capacities for life-long learning.
The Space
The physical environment plays a central role. Our home-school-like environment, gardens & play yard provide an atmosphere that is calm and purposeful. All toys are made of natural materials: wooden blocks and wooden toys; shells and stones; beeswax; broad paintbrushes, clear bright, translucent watercolors, and big sheets of wet paper; large vivid wax crayons – materials the young child comes to know and to use with delight. These help awaken the children’s sense of touch to the physical sensations of a world that is still new to them. Toys are simply made with a minimum of detail so that the children’s imaginations will bring them to life.
Activities
Special care is taken to have a daily and weekly rhythm of activities that gives time for both structure and spontaneity. The day begins with a long period for free play alongside artistic and household activity (cooking, painting, gardening, handwork etc). A wholesome snack is provided- usually which the children have helped to prepare. Playtime is followed by clean up time, circle time, consisting of verses, nursery rhymes, music/songs, and circle games that enliven and strengthen the children's natural creativity and provide the content for higher quality of play. Then the children help prepare for lunch (picnic lunch in season), washing hands, polishing the lunch table, laying out placemats and lunches on plates. Lunch is followed by chores and quiet time–after which they play outside where they explore, dig, run, jump, and exercise their limbs as well as their imaginations. Lastly, a story is told often brought to life with simple hand puppets. The exposure to fairy tales and puppet shows allows the children to feel secure in a world where the good triumphs over bad.
Results
Our programs prepare and strengthen children for their elementary school years. Songs and nursery rhymes cultivate intimacy with language. Listening to stories, seeing puppet shows, and participating in dramatic play cultivates the powers of memory and imagination. Counting games and rhythmic activities build a solid foundation for arithmetic and number skills. Painting and crafts help the children develop fine motor skills, coordination, and the ability to concentrate; vigorous play strengthens gross motor skills.
Seasonal activities, outdoor play and gardening deepen the children’s awareness of the natural world, while colorful seasonal festivals that celebrate the bounty of autumn or of the advent of spring foster a connection to the cycle of the year.
Imaginative play and sound physical activity, the true work of childhood, lays a strong foundation for the elementary years.
"The plant-seeds spring in the womb of Earth
And Waters rain from Heaven's heights.
So does Love spring in human hearts
And Wisdom water the thoughts of men."
-Rudolf Steiner
Play
Play is not only a child’s real work in life, it is the foundation of creativity yet to come. For the young child, play is a way of understanding the world and is vital for healthy emotional and intellectual development. The inner forces of imagination, cognition, and flexibility, which are developed during play, become the capacities for life-long learning.
The Space
The physical environment plays a central role. Our home-school-like environment, gardens & play yard provide an atmosphere that is calm and purposeful. All toys are made of natural materials: wooden blocks and wooden toys; shells and stones; beeswax; broad paintbrushes, clear bright, translucent watercolors, and big sheets of wet paper; large vivid wax crayons – materials the young child comes to know and to use with delight. These help awaken the children’s sense of touch to the physical sensations of a world that is still new to them. Toys are simply made with a minimum of detail so that the children’s imaginations will bring them to life.
Activities
Special care is taken to have a daily and weekly rhythm of activities that gives time for both structure and spontaneity. The day begins with a long period for free play alongside artistic and household activity (cooking, painting, gardening, handwork etc). A wholesome snack is provided- usually which the children have helped to prepare. Playtime is followed by clean up time, circle time, consisting of verses, nursery rhymes, music/songs, and circle games that enliven and strengthen the children's natural creativity and provide the content for higher quality of play. Then the children help prepare for lunch (picnic lunch in season), washing hands, polishing the lunch table, laying out placemats and lunches on plates. Lunch is followed by chores and quiet time–after which they play outside where they explore, dig, run, jump, and exercise their limbs as well as their imaginations. Lastly, a story is told often brought to life with simple hand puppets. The exposure to fairy tales and puppet shows allows the children to feel secure in a world where the good triumphs over bad.
Results
Our programs prepare and strengthen children for their elementary school years. Songs and nursery rhymes cultivate intimacy with language. Listening to stories, seeing puppet shows, and participating in dramatic play cultivates the powers of memory and imagination. Counting games and rhythmic activities build a solid foundation for arithmetic and number skills. Painting and crafts help the children develop fine motor skills, coordination, and the ability to concentrate; vigorous play strengthens gross motor skills.
Seasonal activities, outdoor play and gardening deepen the children’s awareness of the natural world, while colorful seasonal festivals that celebrate the bounty of autumn or of the advent of spring foster a connection to the cycle of the year.
Imaginative play and sound physical activity, the true work of childhood, lays a strong foundation for the elementary years.