Message to EC Parents, April 2020
Dear Early Childhood Families,
We miss seeing the joyous spirits of the children and your shining faces each day. While apart, we have created a plan to continue your Waldorf education at home. The form for the plan will be shared individually by your teacher. We encourage you to use the information as you see fit for your family and daily home schedule. Choose what works best and leave the rest.
Among the most important aspects for the young child are predictability (rhythm), play and presence. In these uncertain times we are hopeful that we can partner with you to offer support.
Until we are together again your family is in our hearts and minds.
Warmly,
Jessica Banks, Lisa Kimball, Kristin Luce, Jenny Nielson, and Shay Roselip
PWS Early Childhood Teachers
Learning Beyond the Classroom: Early Childhood
Continuation of Early Childhood School Experiences at Home
Teachers will continue to offer weekly emails, weekly activities with a list of materials, seasonal songs, rhymes, seasonal stories, and seasonal activities (cooking, crafts, nature ideas). Keep in mind that the young child learns best through lots of play time so you might want to prepare your space for creative use of your furniture and other household items. It may seem chaotic but there can be great joy and satisfaction as your child transforms your home for a short period of time. We also suggest that you incorporate the daily task of home life and including your child in these tasks can be helpful.
Communicating with the Children and Parents
During the time away from our classroom environments, we are offering a weekly class evening for all early childhood parents which will offer some inspirational themes such as child development topics supporting early childhood education, resources, some conversation on parenting themes, and how we keep our community alive and thriving during this challenging time. Other topics and question and answer sessions will also be available. The teachers will alternate facilitating the evening conversations.
Other communication vehicles may include individual phone calls, video conferencing with families and individual children, audio-taped stories, songs and poems. This will be implemented at the discretion of each teacher in communication with their individual classes.
Hopes for the Children
Our hope during this time away from each other is for the children to participate in the daily life of the family supported by the rhythm and activities provided by your teacher.
Hopes for the Parents
We hope that our offerings will support you during your 24/7 time as a family. Please review all offerings and do what works best for you as a family. The early childhood teachers will be available to support you using the various communication vehicles described above.
Commitment of Our Teachers
Teachers will be available Monday through Friday between 8:30am until 1 pm and by appointment to answer questions and have individual conversations by phone or email.
Since we are in uncharted territory, we are continuously reviewing our approaches and will be ready to revise and renew as needed. The plan is intended to be effective through April 30.