For Children Ages 3-6
We aim to connect young children to the natural world and help them experience
wonder and joy.
Our program is nature-based and inspired by Waldorf education. Together we walk, play, explore, sing, hear stories and see puppet shows. We move and nourish our bodies, get to know one another and ourselves and learn about the world at our own pace. Magic happens here. Imaginations flourish. Will you join us?
This spring we moved into our cozy home on 40 acres and we are now working through the process to become a Registered Home Program. Walls are being painted, curtains are being sewn, and gardens for children are being dug and planted with love and care. We are very excited to open our home to a happy group of children.
Our program is small so that each child can receive the attention he or she needs and consists of one teacher and up to six children.
See our "Enrollment" pages with details about days and times we are open.
We provide a holistic approach to early childhood education and do not stress early academics. Instead, we provide balanced opportunities for social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth in a developmentally appropriate way. We offer the children a nourishing childhood by addressing the needs of the head, heart, and hands.
A little more about the parts of our day:
Play:
We aim to connect young children to the natural world and help them experience
wonder and joy.Our program is nature-based and inspired by Waldorf education. Together we walk, play, explore, sing, hear stories and see puppet shows. We move and nourish our bodies, get to know one another and ourselves and learn about the world at our own pace. Magic happens here. Imaginations flourish. Will you join us?
This spring we moved into our cozy home on 40 acres and we are now working through the process to become a Registered Home Program. Walls are being painted, curtains are being sewn, and gardens for children are being dug and planted with love and care. We are very excited to open our home to a happy group of children.
Our program is small so that each child can receive the attention he or she needs and consists of one teacher and up to six children.
See our "Enrollment" pages with details about days and times we are open.
We provide a holistic approach to early childhood education and do not stress early academics. Instead, we provide balanced opportunities for social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth in a developmentally appropriate way. We offer the children a nourishing childhood by addressing the needs of the head, heart, and hands.
A little more about the parts of our day:
Play:
At Little Birch
the children will have ample time to play, for play is a child's true work.
Through play the children learn about themselves, each other, and the world.
They process what they have already seen and they try out new
ideas and situations. Natural opportunities arise to learn about sharing, taking turns, and working together. Play with simple materials helps to nourish the imagination and creativity of the child. In our classroom you may see baskets of simple materials such as rocks, wool, wooden blocks, and play silks. There will be a play kitchen, a doll corner, and wooden farm and forest animals. Much growth happens during this magical time.
Time in Nature:
Frequent unstructured time in nature allows children the opportunity to connect to the natural world in a playful and meaningful way. We will take daily walks instilling a lifelong love of healthy movement and the outdoors. Running through open grassy spaces as well as walking carefully over sticks, logs, roots, and rocks will develop gross motor skills. There will be times for active play and quiet observation. We will explore the forest and other natural places as well as enjoy the sand box, garden, and other nature-based structures in our play yard. Dressing in warm and waterproof layers will allow us to enjoy our time outside in all weather and seasons.
Circle:
Circle is a time for joyful singing and healthy movement. Together we go on seasonal adventures and bring to life nursery rhymes, finger plays, poetry, and circle games. Each circle balances large and small movements, loud and soft voices, spoken word and song. There is opportunity for being a part of a group, following simple directions, and developing a love for language and music.
Circle is a time for joyful singing and healthy movement. Together we go on seasonal adventures and bring to life nursery rhymes, finger plays, poetry, and circle games. Each circle balances large and small movements, loud and soft voices, spoken word and song. There is opportunity for being a part of a group, following simple directions, and developing a love for language and music.
Storytelling and Puppetry:A love of language and story is also fostered through storytelling and puppetry. The same story is told or performed for two weeks so that the children can get to know the story well, building their capacity for memory, re-call, vocabulary, and mental picturing in an inspiring way. Children love and are nourished by repetition. The stories that are shared with the children may be humorous, meaningful, old folktales, simple nature tales, multicultural, pedagogical in nature, or magical fairytales. Each one is chosen with the children in mind and has something special to offer and draw them in. Developing these early literacy skills and love for stories are a developmentally appropriate way to prepare for reading and writing.
Snacks and Meals:
We eat our snacks and meals together at a family-style table. Each morning we cook and prepare a homemade snack and set the table together with care. We bring reverence to our meal times by adorning the table with seasonal items from nature and taking a moment to light a candle and sing a song before we eat. Our shared school snacks are healthy and all natural and may consist of grains, vegetables, and fruit as well as water and herbal tea. We also enjoy caring for a garden and taking part in planting, tending, and harvesting vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Lunches are brought from home and families are encouraged to pack healthy choices and reduce pre-packaged items. Children look forward to taking on responsibilities such as clearing the dishes, wiping the table, and sweeping the floor when we are done eating. It is not uncommon to hear a child ask for his or her turn to sweep or wash or help in some way with the domestic activities of our day. Many hands make light work!
Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun who makes it ripe and good.
Dear earth, dear sun, by you we live,
our loving thanks to you we give.
Blessings on our meal and on each other.
Rhythm and Transitions:
Having a consistent rhythm to the day and week helps children to understand what comes next throughout the day, giving them a sense of peace and security. The rhythm of our day breathes in and out and allows for times of bustling activity and also times of more quiet reflection. There are opportunities to be part of a group as well as time to choose more individual activities during free play indoors and out. We move from one activity to another with the help of a song to guide us into the next part of the day. Puppets, games, and other creative tools are also used to ease transitions and help them become an enjoyable part of our daily rhythm. Cleaning up from play is much more fun when a little mouse puppet comes out to sing us a song at this time each day! The children even begin to ask, "Is it almost time for Little Mouse to come out?" They take pride in knowing what to expect and feel confident throughout the day.
SAMPLE RHYTHM OF THE DAY:
8:00-8:30
outdoor drop-off
8:40-9:30 outdoor play and walk
9:40-10:00 circle and story
10-10:10 bathroom and wash hands
10:10-10:40 snack
10:40 – 11:45 indoor play and activity
11:45 –12:30 lunch
12:30 mid-day pick up
12:45-1:45 Rest
2:00 clean-up and snack
2:30-3:15 outside play/activity
3:15 afternoon pick-up
Note: In nice weather, we will likely spend even more time outdoors. We may have extra time outside during playtime, eat our snacks and lunch outdoors, and even have circle and story in the fresh air. On cold winter days and in inclement weather our rhythm may include more indoor time for artistic activities and indoor play. Our rhythm may also change to meet the needs of the specific group of children in our program.
8:40-9:30 outdoor play and walk
9:40-10:00 circle and story
10-10:10 bathroom and wash hands
10:10-10:40 snack
10:40 – 11:45 indoor play and activity
11:45 –12:30 lunch
12:30 mid-day pick up
12:45-1:45 Rest
2:00 clean-up and snack
2:30-3:15 outside play/activity
3:15 afternoon pick-up
Note: In nice weather, we will likely spend even more time outdoors. We may have extra time outside during playtime, eat our snacks and lunch outdoors, and even have circle and story in the fresh air. On cold winter days and in inclement weather our rhythm may include more indoor time for artistic activities and indoor play. Our rhythm may also change to meet the needs of the specific group of children in our program.
SAMPLE RHYTHM OF THE WEEK
Day of the Week Activity Snack
Monday - Coloring Rice
Day (w/ sunflower seeds and tamari)
Tuesday
- Bread Day Spelt Bread w/ butter
or sunbutter
Wednesday - PlayDough Corn Muffins
Thursday - Woodwork/ Veggie Sticks and Homemade Hummus
Seasonal
Crafts
Friday: Forest Day Walk Cheese and Crackers or
Potatoes
and butter cooked in the fire
Rhythm of the Year
At Little Birch, we also enjoy celebrating the seasonal changes throughout the year and coming together as a community. We will have opportunities for potlucks, picnics, and social gatherings. Educational, artistic and social parent evenings will be offered as a way to get to know one another and offer shared support for your paths in parenting. You can look forward to events such as:
Beginning of school year picnic
Fall fest and harvest potluck
Lantern Walk
Valentine Tea and Winter Walk
Celebration of Spring
End of School Year picnic
Take a look around. Learn more. Be inspired. Support us if you can. Questions and comments are welcomed.
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