Long before children are ready for formal schooling, there is a yearning in their hearts for connection with all that is around them. Our Parent-Child Classes offer a protected space where both children and parents are nurtured. Classes meet once a week in eight week sessions under the direction of our Parent-Child instructor, Naomi Studebaker. Naomi has been a Waldorf teacher for 34 years. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. In addition to teaching Parent-Child Classes at Four Winds, Naomi is working to complete her HANDLE certification and offers screenings and remedial services to children and adults with motor challenges, behavioral issues, and/or sensory processing issues.

2011-2012 Offerings

We are now accepting registration for our 2011-2012 classes. Fall Session begins September 20, 2011. Winter Session begins January 10, 2012. Spring Session begins March 20, 2012. A special 3-week Holiday Session is available from late November to mid-December, 2011.

To register for a class, please complete the registration form inside our Parent Child Brochure and mail it to the school.

Parent-Infant/Toddler Class
Birth to 24 months with a parent
Wednesdays, 9:30 to 11:00 am
$160 per 8-week session

Mothers with infants and toddlers will have an opportunity to meet each other and learn from each other by sharing our experiences, our thrills, our challenges and our questions. Within a framework of Waldorf-inspired best practices, parents will explore the importance of early movement on motor organization and speech development, and will learn how to support their toddler’s budding interest in play. A simple porridge is prepared in class and parents bring in fruit to share. A modest contribution toward snack may be requested.

Parent-Child Class
Ages 24 months to 4 years with parent
Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am (Fall, Winter & Spring)
or Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am (Winter only)
$200 per 8-week session (plus $15 book fee for first registrants)

This class is held in our beautiful Parent-Child Classroom with outdoor time at the end of class as weather permits. Children and parents participate in circle time, make simple crafts, prepare snack, and enjoy stories and puppet shows. Parents also discuss a number of parenting and child development issues such as nutrition, creative discipline, media exposure, the role of play in early childhood, and alternatives in education. Selections from You are Your Child’s First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin will set the theme for our conversations.

Parent-Child Nature Class
For ages 24 months to 4 years with parent
Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am (Fall & Spring only)
$200 per session (plus $15 book fee for first timers)

Direct experience in nature is essential for a child’s healthy physical and emotional development. Playing outside for prolonged periods has been shown to have a positive impact on children's development, particularly in the areas of balance and agility, but also manual dexterity, physical coordination, tactile sensitivity, and depth perception. Our Parent-Child Nature Class is held almost exclusively outdoors. Whatever the weather, children are encouraged to play, explore and learn in our forest and other natural areas. Children and parents are encouraged to dress for the weather, with waterproof clothes and warm layers, which allow free movement. A shared, nutritious snack will involve some contributions from the parents.

Siblings younger than 24 months will be welcome to participate in all Parent-Child Classes. Siblings within the age-range for the class are welcome to enroll for a $100 sibling fee.

Holiday Parent Child Classes
3 weeks only
Tuesdays: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 & 13
Wednesdays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7 & 14
9:30 to 11:30 am

Celebrate the coming season of Light with special holiday crafts, stories and activities.

To register for a class, please complete the registration form inside our Parent-Child Brochure and mail it to the school.