Waldorf inspired

We are committed to exploring Rudolf Steiner’s methods for teaching young children. We offer two ("Poppies"), three ("Buttercups") and five-day ("Sunflowers") classes with Sarah Linsenmeyer and Deborah Kallmann. The two-day class offers three to five year olds the security of rhythmic activities attuned to nature; songs, stories and circle time that speak to their imaginations, plenty of time outside playing, building with what nature provides and taking care of the garden. Young children imitate the world around them and we seek to provide a beautiful environment and purposeful activities. The three and five-day a week class (four to six year olds) follows this same pattern, providing more complex stories, wet-on-wet painting and beeswax sculpting.

Classes

"Poppies" (children 3–5 years old; 2-days-a-week; Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Poppies offers a rhythmic pattern of activities, including circle time, indoor play, a shared snack, outdoor activities, and dramatic plays. Children will learn songs and stories that feed their imaginations and foster a rich vocabulary and love of language. Children will also have plenty of time outside exploring nature, building, and gardening. Young children imitate the world around them and we seek to provide a beautiful environment and a variety of purposeful activities that enrich our children’s hearts, bodies, and minds.

Fee: $224.00/month
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"Buttercups" (children 4-6 years old; 3-days-a-week; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and

"Sunflowers" (children 4–6 years old; 5-days-a-week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

These programs follow the same pattern as the two-day program but take the stories and songs deeper through wet-on-wet watercolor painting and beeswax sculpting. Also, the stories are slightly more complex and challenging than those in the younger class.

Fee "Buttercups": $336.00/month
Fee "Sunflowers": $560.00/month
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Languages: German, Spanish, French

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN ages 4-12 years old. Families interested in these classes do not need to be enrolled in any other Garden Gate activities.

Our teachers engage the children in songs, poems, games, crafts and stories while each language is spoken. This develops the young child's ear for second and third languages by addressing their natural abilities to learn foreign languages. We welcome all elementary school-aged children.

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Spring 2010 sessions will begin starting week of April 5.

Fee: Each 8-week session is $80.00/per child.

Parent/Child program

NEW for Spring 2010: Parent-Child Class, led by Nicole K-Weber, runs on Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:30. This class offers parents with children ages 18 months up to 3 years an opportunity to experience a Waldorf-inspired early childhood program. Young ones will be encouraged to play with the natural and open-ended toys while parents craft. Ms. K-Weber will lead a morning circle with finger-plays, nursery rhymes, movement and songs. And the class will spend time outdoors playing in the elements. Please feel free to contact Nicole K-Weber by e-mail, nkweber1@gmail.com, or by phone, 876-0676.