A WALDORF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

See full information on this summer's offerings ~ As of today, space remains in the new Level I 13 month course of study, The Child and Family in the First Three Years and in all Summer Institute courses.

“Seasons” is our new weekly nature-based Parent and Child class. It will be an outdoor based group for children ages 2-4 and their caregiver. Children and parents will explore the seasonal offerings on the grounds and in the woods around Sophia's Hearth Family Center, will engage in tea/snack preparation (gathering tinder for a small fire, setting up the fire circle, sharing a snack), explore the forest and meadow, learn seasonal verses, songs, and finger plays, and generally become more comfortable being outdoors together. Gathering around the indoor hearth will be an occasional event when the weather becomes unsuitable for safe outdoor exploration. The morning crickets chirp as the sun rises over the hillside. It is a late spring morning and dewdrops quietly tickle little children’s feet as they walk through the growing green grass. The storm clouds begin to part after having quenched the humid summer afternoon with a welcomed rain shower. Steam rises off the ground as a toddler sheds his rain jacket and boots and quickly finds the biggest mud puddle to splash through. Thick sweaters guard against a chilly wind as golden, russet and scarlet colored leaves gently drift towards the earth, and little ones scurry below trying to follow their swirling path. Smiles spread widely across parents’ faces as they remember the joy of this dance themselves. The heat of the hearth quickly surrounds a group of pink-cheeked children as they peel themselves out of snowsuits, hats, boots and mittens.  Sitting by the fire is a welcomed rest after a morning spent following animal tracks in the snow and discovering the joy of gentle snow showers made by tugging on a snowy branch overhead. Voices are quiet as mugs of tea are sipped and the crackle of the fire tells a story of light and warmth. And so it is that seasons turn, bringing with them so many opportunities for children to strengthen their growing awareness of themselves and the world. The pace at which spring turns to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, and winter back to spring eloquently meets the pace at which young children grow and discover, thus offering children a chance to unfold in a familiar, safe, and welcoming way.  Just as the child changes dynamically, yet sometimes imperceptibly, so, too, do nature’s offerings.  When we offer children the chance to be in the outdoors through the seasons they are surrounded by the gesture of growing and unfolding; just the gesture of the early childhood years. Their bodies, minds, and hearts are challenged and inspired in a way that offers vitality, curiosity, confidence, and playfulness at just the right intensity for their true purpose in life to begin unfolding.

Sophia’s Hearth Family Center is now offering parent coaching with Nancy Macalaster, director of our Family Programs.  Nancy is available for one to one and half hour parenting consultations for families who desire support and development of their parenting skills or who are experiencing particular challenges in their parenting journey.  Consulting visits can take place either at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center or at the family home. Fees are $75.00 for one hour/$90.00 one and half hour consultation visit with mileage and time additional for home visits. Contact Nancy at 357-3755 Tuesday through Thursday for more information about this new program offering.