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.
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.
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 Fall 2023
The fall session will begin in September 2023. 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 eights spaces available for each class. We also ask that parents please find alternative child care for siblings older than four and half years old.
Fall 2023 Class Schedule
Mondays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Little Squirrels – THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please email Heather Kono if you would like to be added to the wait pool.
Mondays, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Circle of Caring (Parents only) (8 classes, FREE) with Mina Rogers
“For the small child before the change of teeth, the most important thing in education is the adult’s own being.” – Rudolf Steiner, Essentials of Education (1924)
This adult only group is for parents/caregivers who wish to enrich their family lives with a deeper understanding of Waldorf Education within a like-minded community. Prior to each meeting, a facilitator will provide thought provoking materials such as articles, excerpts from a book, videos, and/or podcasts. Participants are encouraged to bring their own handwork projects.
The rhythm of the morning is as follows:
9:00 a.m. Meet and greet
9:10 a.m. Opening verse and breathing exercise
9:30 a.m. Group discussion
10:30 a.m. Closing verse
Dates: 10/2, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, and 11/27
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: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/21, and 11/28
Tuesdays, every other week, 2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Little Chicks (5 classes, cost $225)
INDOORS with Mina Rogers
Parents/caregivers and babies meet for a 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: 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/7, and 11/21
Tuesdays, every other week, 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Little Chicks (5 classes, cost $150)
ONLINE with Mina Rogers
With Rudolf Steiner’s Twelve Senses as our framework – and drawing deeply on our own inner resources – we will learn to trust and respect the wisdom of our babies. With regard to practical care, we will primarily use the approaches of Dr. Emmi Pikler and Magda Gerber (RIE). Throughout the workshop, we will learn simple songs and games to bring joy to the parent-child bond.
Ages: expectant parents – 12 months
Dates: 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, and 11/14
Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12noon BRIDGE Little Bunnies (6 classes, cost $450) 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 month – 3.5 years
Dates: 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, and 11/15
Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Little Squirrels (6 classes, cost $408)
with Mina Rogers
Parents/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: walkers (toddlers who are confident walkers to 30 months
Dates: 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, and 11/16
Fridays, 9:30 a.m. – 12noon BRIDGE – Little Bunnies THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please email Heather Kono if you would like to be added to the wait pool.
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.
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.
