Parent Child & Infant Classes |
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Live Oak Waldorf School
Sweet Pea Parent-Child Program 2010-2011Welcoming young children and their parents into a warm and beautiful environment full of play, song, meaningful work, and community
This program is designed for adults with infants and children through four years of age. Each family attends once per week and is also invited to come on our monthly field trips to farms, forests, beaches, and other locations that exemplify the natural beauty of our region. This program runs September through May and is offered for a fee of $285 per semester. For more information, call 530-878-8720. Our daily schedule, program details, and field trip information follow.
Sweet Pea Class Schedule
Monday with Jerre Whittlesey
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with Sarah Dunbar
Fall Semester: September – December, 2010
Spring Semester: January – May, 20119:30 Arrival and Settling-in
9:40 Work and Play
10:30 Clean up
10:35 Circle Time
10:45 Snack and Conversation
11:00 Outdoor Free Play and Parent Social Time
11:25 Puppet Story
11:30 Good-bye
Work and Play The young child watches the adults in her life for cues on how to be peaceful, how to work, play, communicate, love, handle difficulties… in short she imitates everything that we do, feel, and think. The task of parenting is huge and wonderful. In our weekly morning together, we will take up an enjoyable, guided artistic project, so that the children have a rich environment in which to imitate and play. Over the course of the full school-year, adult crafts will include: sewing a child-stamped handwork bag, sewing a child’s apron, knitting and felting slippers, knitting or crocheting a hat with ties, advent wreaths and candle making, doll making, embroidered valentine pouches, and involvement with the children in their crafts as needed. No previous handcrafting experience is necessary. Observation of the children in lieu of work, especially for those with infants, is also enjoyable and welcomed and can add much to the following conversation. There are seasonal crafts, gardening, artistic, or baking activities that the children may participate in each week as their age and interest allow.
Circle Time After our work and play time, we all gather in a circle and sing seasonal songs, lullabies, and nursery rhymes accompanied by simple movement games to enjoy one another’s company, develop listening and motor skills, and experience some really sweet moments of interactive connection with our children. We sing the same songs for about eight weeks, so everyone has plenty of time to learn them. You do not need to be a great singer to do this, as your child will delight in hearing you sing a song just for him even if it is not perfectly pitched or timed.
Conversation As parents we also need a supportive and enriching community. In our weekly conversations, we will have the opportunity to explore child development topics that we are in the midst of in our lives with children. A sampling of topics are The Importance of Warmth; Nutrition; The Development and Care of the Senses; Daily, Weekly, and Seasonal Rhythms – fostering strength and confidence in our children; Toddlers and Boundaries; Siblings; and Self-Renewal. Topics arising out of the group’s specific needs will be addressed. Reading material will be available each week to deepen our conversations.
Outside Free Play and Parent Social Time In the rhythm of our morning, an expansive breath of fresh air is vital for all. The children get to explore the elements of nature, drinking them in through their senses to form the firm foundations of their bodies while moving freely and establishing crucial neural pathways for learning. Parents have the opportunity to further connect with one another while watching our children discover and play.
Puppet Story Gathering once more on the circle carpet, everyone surrounds the teacher for a short, simple nature story or nursery rhyme enacted by puppets to provide a rich storytelling experience. The morning then ends with our good-bye song.
Friday Walkabout
One Friday of each month, an optional outing for all parent-child program participants will get us out in farms and nature with our kids to experience the seasonal rhythm first-hand. Bring a potluck dish to share, service and water for yourselves, and any appropriate clothing, hats, etc. Directions and details will be available in class each week of a trip. Those who are enrolled for the fall by July will be invited to the following events.
July 16 Truckee River Trail Bike Ride from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City and Back
August 20 Pine Hill Orchard Field Trip – Peaches and Plums
September 13 First Day of Sweet Pea Classes for the Fall Semester
September 18 Machine Sewing 101: Pants and Skirts 9AM – 1PM, (parents only)
September 24 Riverhill Farm Field Trip – Strawberries, Row Crops
October 8-9 Parent Evening Lecture and All-Day Workshop: Home Health Care with Anthroposophic Nurse Practitioner, Trish McPhee (parents only)
October 29 Fulcrum Farm Field Trip – Carving Pumpkins
November 12 Baking Whole Grain Bread with Sarah 8:30AM-12:30PM
November 22-26 Thanksgiving break
December 17 Last day of Sweet Pea Fall Semester
