Join us for an inspiring and informational morning where visiting Waldorf-trained Kindergarten teacher Sky Melcer will lead us through a typical morning in the Kindergarten. Topics such as “What makes our early childhood programs unique?” “What is the importance behind rhythm and free play?” “How do our programs support the healthy development of the senses?” “Why are academics not rushed?” and “How do our early childhood programs support behavior through imitation and the classroom environment?” There will also be time for your questions.
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9:00: Free Play
Free play with open-ended toys in our early childhood classrooms nurtures the whole child by allowing imagination, creativity, and inner initiative to unfold naturally. Children play with simple materials such as wooden blocks, silks, and other natural objects. Since these playthings do not dictate how a child should play, they invite children to transform them through their own ideas. In this process, children develop problem-solving skills, social awareness, language, and emotional resilience. Rather than being directed from the outside, children become active creators of their own experience, which strengthens both confidence and a sense of self.
9:15: Purposeful Work
Engaging in meaningful, hands-on activities such as baking bread, churning butter, and chopping vegetables nourishes the young child’s development by strengthening the “Will,” which is the ability to initiate, follow through, and complete a task. Children engage in practical activities that support coordination, concentration, and perseverance. As children imitate the meaningful work of their teacher, they feel a sense of contribution and belonging, which builds confidence and inner satisfaction. In this way, everyday activities become more than tasks; they become pathways for developing independence, resilience, and a deep connection between thinking, feeling, and doing.
9:45: Circle time
Circle time in our early childhood classrooms provides a rhythmic, joyful gathering that supports the child’s development through movement, imitation, and repetition. Through songs, verses, finger plays, and seasonal gestures, children engage their bodies, language, and imagination all at once. This shared experience strengthens memory, coordination, and social awareness while fostering a sense of belonging within the group. Because circle time is predictable and carried by rhythm rather than instruction, it gently nourishes the child’s developing will and inner security, creating a foundation for learning that is both embodied and joyful.
10:00: Snack time
The ritual of sharing meals together in our early childhood classroom creates an opportunity for the class to experience gratitude, connection, and belonging. As children gather at the table, often beginning with a simple verse, song, or moment of stillness, they experience reverence for the food they have helped prepare and for each other. This shared rhythm fosters a sense of community, where each child feels they are part of something larger than themselves. Through this daily ritual, the children are not only physically nourished; they also develop social awareness, appreciation, and a true sense of togetherness.
10:25: Storytime
Oral storytelling and puppetry in our early childhood classrooms nurture each child’s imagination, language development, and inner picture-building in a way that lays a strong foundation for later reading and writing. When stories are told, children create vivid inner images. Another benefit is that memory, attention, and comprehension are strengthened. There is a richness to oral storytelling that supports the development of a deep relationship to language, and over time, these experiences become the groundwork for literacy. Children who have listened to and absorbed stories told orally are able to fully engage with reading and writing in the grades.
10:30
Answering your questions
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