Join our Forest Parent & Child Class
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings!
Experience the seasons like never before
as we explore in the forest each day.
Participate in our invigorating circle – where songs, movement, and storytelling are interwoven to present a living literary experience enjoyed by both parents and children. Crafts are offered that appeal to adults and children in their simplicity and beauty. Forest class participants receive parent enrichment articles by the instructor each week on various topics on child development: benefits of time outside in nature, sharing, social conflict, creating rhythm in the home, schedule overwhelm, upholding seasonal traditions, and more.
This class is for children age 18 months – 6 years at time of enrollment, with a parent or caregiver. Each session meets one time per week for 4 weeks. Our next sessions will be:
- Wednesdays, September 30 through October 21 – registration open, please click the button below to register!
- Thursdays, October 1 through 22 – registration open, please click the button below to register!
- Fridays, October 2 through 23 – registration open, please click the button below to register!
Classes meet from 9am to 11am. COVID-19 related safety protocol updates to this program are listed below.
This was so inspirational (as usual!)… your description of unstructured play and its benefits really clicks for us! We’ve seen how our daughter’s play habits have evolved. The last part of your reading was especially relatable. We’ve noticed how we’ve tried to sit back and watch her when she’s really involved in something. Whereas before, we always felt we had to guide her or be right in the middle of it. Thank you Anne!
— Holly, Forest Parent & Child Class parent
referencing an article written by the class instructor
For more information about the Parent-Child program, please contact the Parent-Child Program Coordinator at acoyner@cwaldorf.org.
Our Autumn Forest Parent & Child Classes include:
- Playtime in the forest
- Circle time with songs & poems
- Storytime
- Snack time
- Craft or Forest Hike & Play time
- Parent Enrichment articles
Class Details:
4-week sessions – each session is one day/week
Wednesdays, Sept. 30 – Oct. 21
Thursdays, Oct. 1 – Oct. 22
Fridays, Oct. 2 – Oct. 23
Classes held OUTSIDE, 9-11am
Cost: $140
Age range for enrolled children: 18 months – 6 years. Parent or caregiver must be present.
Resources:
- I Had a Gloriously Wild Childhood. That’s Why I Wrote ‘How to Train Your Dragon.’ opinion piece by Cressida Cowell from the New York Times, February 2020
- Benefits of an Outdoor Education by Anne Coyner
Forest Class Safety Protocol:
- All classes held exclusively outdoors, rain or shine.
- Participants will not hold hands during songs.
- Participants will bring their own food for snack.
- Participants will bring their own blanket to sit upon during circle time.
- Adults will sit or stand at a safe social distance or can choose to wear a cloth mask during storytime.
- Adults will be required to wear a cloth mask during craft times when adults and children are in close proximity.
- Adult participants will complete a health check form prior to each class.
- Adult participants will be strongly encouraged to sign a waiver giving the Health Department permission to share COVID-related information with the school if the need arises.
Requirements:
- Children and adults required to have proper rain gear for rainy class days
- Adult participants will bring a cloth mask for times when they are in close proximity (craft times, etc.)
- Adult participants will complete a health check for their child and themselves in person each morning before the start of class
- Adult participants will bring their own pen for signing health check forms
- Adult participants will stay home (not attend class) if they or their child develop or have the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, persistent pain in the chest
- Adults or children who have traveled abroad must have 14 days of quarantine before attending class
Recommendations & Responsibilities:
- Adult participants should bring their own hand sanitizer &/or wipes for use at their own discretion.
- The instructor is not responsible to police children in remaining socially distant – this is more up to the parents as we all may have a different level of comfort.
- The instructor is not responsible to police adults in maintaining social distance, but may give gentle reminders for using masks during craft time, or other practical matters.
- The instructor recommends all adult conversation exclude the virus and topics that can create anxiety for the children and other adults.
- Adults choosing to take this class are responsible to maintain a low-anxiety environment for the children – together in collaboration. All communication about social distancing should be done calmly. This can be as easy as “Let’s go look at this tree together” instead of “Hey, get away from those children, you are too close!”
- We are striving for a morning that feels as normal as possible. This class is for parents interested in maintaining social interaction for young children, who are comfortable with singing in a group outside (at a safe distance), and storytelling.
- If you are unable to participate due to health concerns or other reasons, we may also offer an on-line version of class. This will be based on interest level and at the discretion of the Charlottesville Waldorf School.
- Adult participants will be strongly encouraged to sign a waiver giving the Health Department permission to share COVID-related information with the school if the need arises.
*All enrollees will receive a phone call from the instructor to discuss our protocol before classes begin.*
Parent and Child Faculty
