Annual Benefit and Auction · March 23, 2024 · Click here to support our Arts and Music Program!

Child holding rake.

Parent & Child

Green Meadow is a Waldorf school where children are deeply, actively, and joyfully engaged in learning.

Overview

Green Meadow Waldorf School’s Parent & Child program supports and empowers parents, guardians, and caregivers during the formative early years of family life, when children build a foundation of health that stays with them throughout their entire lives.

 

Woman instructing class of parents and toddlers.

the waldorf difference

Joyful Beginning Program for Caregivers and Children

Green Meadow offers Parent & Child/Infant playgroups for preschool-aged children that meet weekly. In a friendly private school setting, classes provide grownups with an opportunity to learn more about the principles of Waldorf Early Childhood education and how they can be applied in the home. The atmosphere is one of warm and supportive companionship with other families, facilitated by a Waldorf educator, creating a beautiful experience for both parents and children.

Girls leaning on dad outside.

a unique private school

Parent & Child

At the heart of our Parent-Child program lives our desire to support and empower parents, guardians, and caregivers during the formative early years of family life. In a nourishing and warm atmosphere both parents and children are held equally by the teacher. We strive to create an environment where parents find companionship, inspiration and a sense of being seen and valued in their work of parenting; and where children are given space to show us their innate wisdom and competence.

 

Parent & Child Classes Spring 2024

The spring session will begin in March 2024. We offer a variety of options; some classes are all outdoors and some have indoor-outdoor activities. We have a dedicated outdoor classroom that provides a welcoming place for children’s play and parents’ activity. Our friendly indoor classroom is light and well-ventilated.

Please note there are are six to eight spaces available for each class. We also ask that parents please find alternative child care for siblings older than four and half years old.

Spring 2024 Class Schedule

Mondays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Little Squirrels (9 classes, cost $612) INDOOR/OUTDOOR MIX with Leslie Burchell-Fox
Parent/caregivers and children meet for a weekly class. Together we will enjoy a morning snack, creative play (activities for adults include discussions and handwork), songs, puppet shows, outdoor time, and connection with each other.
Ages: 12 months to 30 months
Dates: 3/4, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/15, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, and 5/20
THIS CLASS IS FULL. PLEASE EMAIL HEATHER KONO TO BE PUT ON THE WAITLIST

Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Little Chipmunks (10 classes, cost $660) INDOOR/OUTDOOR MIX with Leslie Burchell-Fox
Ages: 18 months to 3 years old
Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, and 5/21
REGISTER HERE FOR LITTLE CHIPMUNKS

Tuesdays, every other week, 2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Little Chicks (6 classes, cost $270)
INDOORS 
with Mina Rogers
Parents/caregivers and babies meet for a RIE-inspired bi-weekly class. Together we will enjoy making connections with each other through discussions, learning games/songs, and practicing observation skills. Light snacks and tea are provided.
Ages: 3 months to early walkers
Dates: 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/30, 5/14, and 5/28
THIS CLASS IS FULL. PLEASE EMAIL HEATHER KONO TO BE PUT ON THE WAITLIST

Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12noon BRIDGE Little Bunnies (11 classes, cost $825) with Mina Rogers
The Bridge class is a year long class, designed to prepare children who will be entering preschool the following school year. The fall session includes parents and children together. During the winter and spring sessions, the focus shifts to a teacher-led group for children. Parents will begin to step out of the room for short and then longer periods of time. In this slow and gentle manner, the children are given the opportunity to build their trust and confidence for their independence in a warm and supportive environment. A year long commitment is highly recommended. Where space allows, new families may join the group for the winter and spring sessions. Please reach out to Heather Kono with questions.
Ages: 26 months – 3.5 years
Dates: 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/17, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, and 6/5
PLEASE REGISTER HERE FOR BRIDGE LITTLE BUNNIES

Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Little Squirrels (11 classes, cost $748)
with Mina Rogers
Parents/caregivers and children meet for a RIE-inspired weekly class. Together we will enjoy a morning snack, creative play (activities for adults include discussions), songs, puppet shows, outdoor time, and connection with each other.
Ages: walkers (toddlers who are confident walkers to 30 months)
Dates: 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/18, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, and 6/6
REGISTER HERE FOR LITTLE SQUIRRELS

Fridays, 9:30 a.m. – 12noon BRIDGE Little Bunnies (11 classes, cost $825) with Mina Rogers *Please see above for a description of this class.
Ages: 26 months – 3.5 years
Dates: 3/15, 3/22, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, and 6/7
REGISTER HERE FOR FRIDAYS BRIDGE CLASS

Rhythm of the Morning

Everyone arrives and play follows. During the children’s explorations and play, we will have a simple nature craft for parents. This will help you to be good observers and allow the children to freely move about and interact with each other. The experienced group leader will be available to grownups and the children.

We will tidy the toys after some time together, then gather for a Morning Greeting and some finger games. Then we’ll join together for hand-washing and a simple snack. We’ll complete our morning with a nature walk before our joyful singing of goodbye.

What Children Do

Children in our classes…

  • Explore a child-friendly environment that challenges and nurtures, with simple play materials.
  • Delight in special attention given to support their unfolding interests, motor abilities, and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience social interaction in play that stimulates their speech and language development.
  • Engage with other children at their stage of development, while developing social capacities.

What Grownups Do

Grownups come and…

  • Experience an environment that encourages the valuable exchange of ideas and information.
  • Explore the value of observation in seeing and understanding what their children are doing and how they are learning as they play.
  • Delight in the joy of sharing songs and games with their children that support speech and language development.
  • Meet other grownups and find a community of sharing and support.
  • Discover new tips for caregiving.

“Parenting is the development of an extremely vital relationship, the model for every future relationship our child will engage in.” Janet Landsbury

“It’s often hard to stay calm and carry on! We forget how little and vulnerable they actually are. Especially when our toddlers’ behavior is confusing, irrational, and frustrating to us.” Tovah P. Klein

Self-Initiated Play/Movement

“When you teach a child something, you take away forever [their] chance of discovering it for [themselves].” Jean Piaget, Psychologist, Genetic Epistemology, Child Cognitive Development Theory

Young children are geniuses at coming up with the best possible play/movement for their respective developmental stages. Let’s not take away their victory over gravity (standing, climbing, jumping, balancing) and mastering skills of various fronts, of body, mind, and soul. Our job is to get out of their way in their self-initiated play/movement while securing their safety and providing a rich and age-appropriate environment. When given trust and time to do it on their own, they learn the best, while building confidence and resilience.

Boy looking at camera with blue eyes.

Two ways we can encourage their play and imaginations to blossom…

1. Observe.

Tune in to their world and what they are experiencing. Wait before we bring our idea to them. To practice this, we have quiet observation time in class.

2. Do your work.

Children love to imitate us. Grownups quietly focused on their work create a mood that assures the children that all is well and that they are taken care of. It then draws their natural interest to imitate us, either outwardly by watching and helping us, or inwardly by echoing the focus in their own play. Better if our movements are visible and repetitive, such as the practical work of growing and preparing food, building and caring for the home. Today, our work is often done through devices and in our minds, which children cannot make sense of or imitate. We have to intentionally create such opportunities. In our class, we can model how our hands and bodies are productive. We make crafts, chop vegetables, collect acorns and kindling, tidy up, etc. We will work together to find creative ways to bring purposeful activities into our everyday life with young children.

Tuition Information

Younger siblings are welcome upon a discussion with the teacher. This is to ensure that both siblings have a successful experience in the group. Tuition for the second child is free until the child is 6 months old. We offer a 50% discount for accompanying siblings 6 to 12 months old and a 5% discount for those 12 months and older. All fees are non-refundable.

More Information

*Please note: For exceptionally inclement weather classes may be held in our Parent and Child classroom in the Lower School Building. Make-up days may be added in the event of weather related school closings.

More questions?
To be added to our email list for updates or if you have any questions, please contact Heather Kono in the admissions office at 845.356.2514 x326.

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Hear From Our Alumni Families

Class of '89

Stefan Schaefer

Filmmaker

As a Waldorf lifer, I ventured out into 'the real world’ with some trepidation. But I was able to tackle college and graduate work with ease. The breadth of curriculum I’d been exposed to gave me a sense of curiosity and willingness to take risks in my learning that many of my peers lacked.

Class of '89

Dan Feldman

Director at Verizon

In Waldorf Education, we were guided to solve problems creatively vs. memorizing facts. It is this curiosity, creativity, confidence, and awakeness that allows Waldorf students to excel at just about anything they choose to take on.

Class of '95

Agamemnon Otero

CEO, Repowering

I remember painting, drawing, sculpting, book-binding, eurythmy, acting, and poetry with fondness, and math, biology, history, and orchestra with fits of frustration. My teachers supported my development, knowing full well that once a passion for learning is lit, it will burn for a lifetime.

Class of '99

Kirstin Wolfe

DDS

Waldorf Education taught me to solve problems. I attribute that to my ability to be both analytical and compassionate. I also am so grateful for the lifelong connections I have with friends and members of the Waldorf community.

Class of '98 & '99

The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily)

Musicians

One of the most important things that our Waldorf Education gave us is a community of passionate, engaged people. Many of our closest friends are people we met at Green Meadow. They have careers (in the arts, sciences, academia, business, and the military) and a genuine love for their work.

Class of '01

Zaria Forman

Artist

I value so much about my Waldorf Education, it's difficult to chose one thing! The enduring friendships I made, how art was woven through every subject, the attention and care given by the teachers. I will be forever thankful for those very formative years of my life.

Class of '05

Phil Constable

Music Producer (DJ Hardwerk)

Our beloved class teacher and friend, David Blair, taught me the value of never giving up on something because it gets difficult, you don’t like it, or it’s an inconvenience. He taught me that seeing your goals come to fruition after you have faced obstacles makes the victory that much sweeter.

Class of '12

Alex Chin

Graduate Student in Physics

Green Meadow fosters great relationships between teachers and students and allows students to participate in so many different activities. I was able to get my first job in college, building sets for the theater department, because of the work we did on high school plays at GMWS.