'Waldorf in the Woods'
'Waldorf in the Woods'
We will have a meet-and-greet in the park to give you a chance to ask questions and connect with each other. Children welcome! Please contact us for more information on time and location -- don't miss out! Space in this class is very limited.
This program is for 3 - 7 year olds.
Contact us at:
Please put "Fall 2023" in the subject line.
There are all kinds of treasures in the park, and every day that I’m there with the children, I look for the things that the trees are dropping on the ground, or that a bird may have left behind, or that might have shed its exoskeleton on a trunk or branch. But, the children often find other treasures, things that have been dropped or left behind by mistake by other people who share the park…Read more on the "special events" page. You can contact us at: UFKLostandFound@gmail.com
Children thrive in the outdoors — their play is free from a reliance on toys, and their imaginations take flight. Their bodies are free to explore, climb, jump, and run, and there is no need for “indoor voices.” Forest kindergarten offers children a chance to see, touch, and smell the natural world, and to learn social skills, like cooperation, in an open environment. Playing in nature also fosters a child’s sense of wonder, which piques their curiosity, and cultivates further exploration and learning in the real world through careful observation.
Waldorf pedagogy in early childhood fosters self-directed play, a sense of wonder and curiosity, and sees the teacher as a model for the children to imitate in developing healthy habits and compassionate ways of engaging with each other.
Play which is initiated by children is considered self-directed. This type of play engages the imagination, builds skills in communication and self-regulation, and helps children learn how to problem-solve.
"My son has been attending classes with Robbin for 2 years now. ... We are so happy that our son is in this class. He loves it and has learned and grown so much. ... He loves both of his teachers and they have fostered real kindness between the children. They sing all day long and perform puppet plays. Living in the city, I love that he can get some good quality time, not just outdoors in a paved playground, but in nature ... This is what early childhood should be about, but rarely is these days."
"This is such a beautiful program. The combination of unstructured play in nature with the thoughtful Waldorf-inspired daily rhythm have been so wonderful for my son. Couldn't recommend this program or the teachers more highly!"
"Ms. Robbin's Waldorf program in the park this past year was so nurturing and magical. The children's connection with nature and their environment was a real gift they will keep forever. Our child, age 5, can orient himself in the park, identify leaves, birds, and it deepened his reverence for the natural world. The festivals also fostered a real sense of community in working together and caring for one another."- Elsa & Sam
"Our boy (3y2months) has a lot of energy but after the day with Robbin he seemed to come home calmer. He even dropped his nap because he wasn’t overtired or restless. It was just right for him. And he made so many new friends. We also loved how Robbin played her special music instrument to start a walk together with kids. She has a very soft voice and overall gentle approach but kids ‘hear’ hear her and seem to flock into a group immediately."