Young children learn through touch and movement.

Infant and Toddler Playgroups

We are delighted to provide Waldorf playgroups for Parents and Infants and Parents and Toddlers. Led by early childhood specialist, Kirsty Gourlay, parents observe, move, and interact with their young children in a nurturing, playful environment. Each week, different themes focus on the foundations of movement development, the importance of rhythm, working with the senses, and building healthy habits.

Playgroups meet weekly in ten-week sessions; pre-registration is required. Please check with the school for drop-in availability.

EACH WEEK INCLUDES the following:

• Circle time, with songs, movement, and rhythmical verses
• Story told with puppets
• Organic, whole grain snack
• Child development conversations and sharing
• Crafts and activities for parents
• A focus on and support for healthy daily and weekly rhythms

Each session begins with gentle play as children and parents enter the room. This structure and the related activities help to create a self-assured, creative child and a peaceful, observant parent. Together, we create an environment conducive to healthy play and exploration. We discover the importance of a healthy rhythm in supporting the overall well-being of the young child both at school and in the home. Parents return home with much valuable information and experience, which they can use in creating their own home rhythms. We explore movement that offers ease, vitality, and balance. Parents learn about specific developmental movement needs and how to support integration and sensory development in the young child. Parents develop insight and intuition while observing children at play; understanding what they see and learning to offer what a child needs.

Sessions are throughout the school year. New families are welcome at any time, space permitting. Space is limited to seven children per class.

Simplicity, love, beauty...the experiences of our Infant playgroup.

Acorn and Oaks Infant Program

Parent-Infant Program on Fridays next session starting March 8, 2013

The Acorns and Oaks program is a wonderful opportunity for parents and caregivers of newborns through 12-month olds to meet in a nurturing setting for friendship and support on the path of parenthood. Our weekly morning gatherings will be spent observing our babies as they grow and change. We will learn songs, rhymes, finger plays and simple infant massage techniques. As parents enjoy tea and either a wholesome morning snack or a simple nutritious lunch, we will share questions and discuss how to support our children’s healthy joyful growth. Reading material will be available each week to deepen our conversation. Adults are also invited to two Saturday morning workshops where we will share conversation and have the opportunity to delve into topics such as play, rhythm, sleep and nutrition.

Please note! For the spring session we will offer two groups, ones from 9:00 am to 10:30 am and the other 11:30 am to 1:00 pm and they both begin on Friday March 8. They will meet on ten consecutive Fridays, with the exception of April 26. The program will take place in a beautiful space at the All Soul’s Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne, a few minutes from our Shelburne campus.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please fill out and send in the enclosed registration form with the payment. The cost is $120 or $100 if you are registered before February 15. Please call Pam Graham at 985-2827 ext 12 or email at pgraham@LakeChamplainWaldorfSchool.org if you have any questions about this program.

Playing, singing, and observing each other as parents and toddlers connect during playgroup.

Star Garden Program

Parent –Toddler Program starting March 4, 2013 (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays)

The Star Garden program is a special gathering for families with toddlers. In Star Garden families find friendship and support as their little ones explore the world through play and imitation. Parents, grandparents, caregivers and children from one to three and a half years old come together once a week in a nurturing, homelike environment for a rhythmic morning of play, song, puppetry, meaningful work and community. Together we prepare and enjoy a wholesome snack and adults can share questions and discussion. Reading material will be available each week to deepen our conversation. Adults are also invited to two Saturday morning workshops where we will share conversation and have the opportunity to delve into topics such as play, rhythm, sleep and nutrition.

We offer four different groups with a choice of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings from 9:00 – 11:00 am. The Spring classes begin the week of March 4 and meet for 10 consecutive weeks with the exception of the week of April 22. The early reg date is February 15. Fees for ten-class sessions are noted below and are non-refundable. These classes take place in a beautiful space at the All Soul’s Interfaith Gathering, off of Bostwick Road in Shelburne, just a few minutes from our Shelburne campus.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please fill out and send in the enclosed registration form with the payment. The cost for a full year (September through May) is $625. Individual sessions are $240, or if you are registered early the cost is $220 (see the form for early registration information). Please call Pam Graham at 985-2827 ext 12 or email at pgraham@LakeChamplainWaldorfSchool.org if you have any questions about this program.