Our Mixed-Age Program
We see the mixed-age grouping as valuable to children in a variety of ways. Older children feel a sense of pride and responsibility as they help younger children with daily tasks such as dressing to go outside or putting on shoes. Younger children benefit from emulating older children. The mixed-age setting also leads to a more relaxed classroom, in which fewer conflicts arise between the children.
While children aged 2 to 5 are in the same classroom for social purposes, we recognize that children of different ages have varying cognitive, emotional, and artistic needs. The teachers address the abilities and interests of each age group differently.
Children aged 2 to 3 are invited to play freely, as they learn from their teachers and older friends. They gain control of their toileting, learn table manners, navigate social situations, explore nature, and engage in simple crafts, kneading dough, and gardening such as raking leaves or wheeling barrows of dirt. We also acquaint these littlest children with the seasonal rhythms and activities of the school, as they participate in circle songs and games.
At about 3½ years old, children have the dexterity to begin painting with watercolors, weaving, modeling with beeswax and clay. Most of the crafts have a seasonal theme, and children work on them over several days as their interest waxes and wanes. Children of this age also learn responsibility as they are invited to care for their classroom, their toys, art supplies, and each other.
At 5, kindergarten-aged children are ready for more complicated crafting exercises such as building birdhouses or sewing. They engage in projects with more steps, materials, and skill requirements. The oldest children are also invited to assist the younger children in their crafts and activities and build empathy, patience, and confidence as they guide their younger peers. Throughout this class, kindergartners gain an intuitive sense of phonics and numeracy through storytelling, crafting, circle time, gardening, cooking, and free play.
In the kindergarten year (children who have turned 5 by September 30), the teachers will assess the children’s first grade readiness. This assessment is given in the form of a game, and it will inform the teachers and parents, regarding how physically, emotionally, and intellectually prepared the children are for formal reading, writing, and arithmetic instruction.
Teachers and parents will then work with the children to finalize their readiness. For those children who will enter a non-Waldorf first grade, we offer the option that phonics, writing, and basic math skills will be more formally taught (30 minutes daily for up to 6 weeks) the summer before children enter first grade. The Woodland School would charge a fee yet to be determined for this instruction. A transcript that includes examples of their work will be given to the parents and sent to their prospective elementary schools.
Our goal is for children to receive the physical, psychological, and cognitive benefits of experiencing a rich and complete childhood. We look forward to helping parents lead capable and confident children into the joyful experiences of the elementary years.
Daily Schedule
Children quickly learn the rhythm of the day so that they can work and play deeply, listen intently, and learn fully without having to wonder what comes next.
Morning Program
7:00 a.m. Early arrival
8:00 a.m. Children arrive to the playground, ready for the day
8:00 to 9:15 a.m. Daily craft activity and free play in the playground
9:15 to 9:35 a.m. Circle
9:35 to 9:45 a.m. Clean-up and rest
9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Snack
10:15 a.m. Walk to the forest for circle games and exploration
11:45 a.m. Walk back to the playground for story
12:00 p.m. Morning Program Dismissal
Extended Day
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:30 to 1:00 p.m. Outdoor play
1:00 p.m. Settling for nap, story, and song
2:30 p.m. Nap time ends, and full-day children prepare to go home. After-care children help tidy the room and prepare for afternoon snack.
3:00 p.m. Extended day dismissal
After-care
3:00 p.m. Afternoon snack
3:30 p.m. Snack clean-up
3:45 p.m. Free play in the playground
5:10 p.m. Final tidying
5:30 p.m. After-care dismissal