Two friends at play

Children who are encouraged to be active, playful, and creative in early childhood turn out to be the most enthusiastic learners during the elementary years.  Children in our nursery and kindergarten classes are hard at work playing:  

Waldorf early childhood classrooms are comfortable and home-like. Playthings are made from natural materials, simply shaped to allow the child's imagination to bring them to life: shells, stones, crystals, logs and branches, veils of rainbow-colored fabric, sheep's wool, wooden blocks, and cloth dolls. 

Young children also love a purposeful task, and our curriculum puts this impulse to use in practical activities like bread-baking and gardening.

Click here to read recent educational research:  The Importance of Play

Nature is a favorite classroom

Our Daily Rhythm consists of:

Purposeful tasks: preparing snacks, gardening, caring for the room, and working on simple crafts. Children develop an awareness of working on behalf of a group.

Morning circle: music and verses are accompanied by movement and gesture. Children learn to play cooperative games, respect boundaries, and follow directions.

Storytelling:  enhances listening skills

Finger plays & rhymes:  develop  gross and fine motor skills, improve eye-hand coordination, and encourage a love of language.

Seasonal festivals and celebrations: enliven children's innate sense of wonder.

Outdoor play:  running, climbing, sledding, and playing imaginative games. Our backyard is 185 acres of forest, marsh, and meadow.

Imaginative play: Cultivates children's inner lives and social skills. 

The nursery program accepts children beginning at age 3 years, 3 months as of September 1.  The kindergartens accept children beginning at age 4 1/2 years as of September 1. For more information or to request an application form, please send email to our  Admissions Director, Tuija Voutilainen, or phone (781) 863-1062 x 510.