Morning Garden
Parent-Child Program

Morning Garden is many families’ first experience of Waldorf education. This parent-child (or grandparent, caregiver, etc.) program is designed for children from birth through age 4, and is offered as either a weekly class or 2-day transitional class. Classes incorporate indoor and outdoor play, observation, circle time with songs and movement, puppetry, and a morning snack, creating a nurturing environment for children and parents alike. Younger siblings are welcome!

 

For weekly families, the morning begins in the classroom with unstructured, self-directed play and preparation of the morning snack. During this time, parents have an opportunity to quietly observe their child as well as participate in occasional artistic or craft activities. After play time, the teacher leads the group in circle time with finger plays, songs and seasonal verses. Then everyone sits down together to enjoy the delicious snack. Snack is followed by additional play time, and once the room is tidied, inside time ends with the telling of a short, seasonal puppet story that is both enchanting and perfect for the age group. The morning ends with outdoor play. The rhythm for the Transition Class is similar, with the morning both beginning and ending outdoors.   

 

In addition to offering a warm and nurturing environment for the children, Morning Garden provides parents with an opportunity to share stories, form friendships and create community in a welcoming and supportive environment.

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Ages

This is a program for children from birth to age 4.

 

Programs​

 

Morning Garden Transitional Class (Thursdays and Fridays)

• 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

• 32-week class 

• September – May

• A caregiver stays with their child for the first 8 weeks, then the program gradually transitions to a class that the children attend independently.

• Children must be 2 by June 1 of the year of intended enrollment

 

Morning Garden Weekly Classes (Tuesdays)

• 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

• Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions (many families enroll for the entire year)

• Parents or caregivers spend the entire class time with the children.​

• Ages 2–4, must be 2 by the start of class.

 

Morning Garden Toddler Class (Mondays)

• Children 12 – 24 months (or younger, if walking).

• 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

• 10-week class

• September – May

• The Parent and Child Toddler class offers you, as the parent or caregiver, a sanctioned space to behold your child’s unique unfolding and consider how we accompany our children in this process and how we develop alongside them. With ample time for self-initiated movement and self-initiated play, this class provides a simple, warm, nourishing rhythm that also includes quiet observation, a circle with seasonal songs, lullabies, finger plays, and small puppet stories. Each week you will receive a small reading/article that will serve as a foundation for our discussion and conversation. Topics of conversation may include daily home rhythms, ways to support your child’s sensory development, warmth, sleep, imitation as a basis for learning, respectful caregiving, play materials, the inner development of the adult, and the child’s changing consciousness. 

 

Morning Garden Infant Class (Mondays) 

• Infants from birth to 12 months.

• 8:45 am – 9:45 am

• 8-week class

• September – May

• Each 8-week series will focus on observation and understanding of our babies’ development and unique personalities; attuning and responding; giving babies space to explore and communicate with one another; bonding with other caregivers and families and creating an early sense of community and sharing for even the youngest Waldorf child. Information will include body brain development; rhythm as temperament; and the meaning of attunement. Each class will weave observation, with some education and awareness building as well as engagement activities.

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For More Information

Visits to the Morning Garden Program are by appointment only. Please contact Interim Director of Admissions Emily Bush to schedule a tour or to learn more about our program.

 

Tours are for adults only, please.