Parent & Child Program
Nourishing Relationships
WINTER SESSION BEGINS FRIDAY 12/5
Spaces are limited to keep the setting intimate. All families with children ages 6 months to 3.5 years are welcome to participate. Please read more below about our two age-based cohorts.
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When we focus on deepening our relationship with our child, we can cultivate our unique art of parenting.
Kerry Ingram
Parent & Child Classes
The first three years in a child’s life are an amazing time of growth that fill parents and caregivers with awe and wonder.
Parent & Child classes are held in a warm and welcoming environment that is carefully arranged for creative play in our Buttercup Preschool room. This program offers the very young child freedom to explore within loving boundaries, and teaches parents/caregivers about Waldorf education’s many benefits.
Classes are led by an experienced Early Childhood educator and echo the rhythms of the Waldorf preschool. Additionally, classes offer caregivers a place to connect about child development and parenting techniques.
As part of each seasonal session, one Saturday class will be held for caregivers to come together without their children.
WINTER 2025-2026 DATES
Fridays, 12/5/25 through 2/27/26
(10 total classes, no class Friday, 12/19/25, 12/26/25, & 1/2/26)
(6mo—18mo)
Fridays: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
(19mo—3.5y)
Fridays: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Rosebud Cohort
(6 to 18 months)
The newly mobile baby moves around the room, encounters other children, and is interested in things farther away – travels away from the parent or caregiver, and then returns. Simple toys to discover are placed in the environment, and simple platforms and low ramps are offered for their first climbing adventures. Parents and caregivers learn how to create environments that are safe for the young explorer and learn about developmental movements and social development; as well as learn ways to resolve small conflicts that may begin to arise over a toy or personal space or the challenge of a new task taken up by the child. Songs/nursery rhymes are introduced and a very short interactive song/story comes at the end of the class.
Daffodil Cohort
(19 months - 3.5 years)
Children have the opportunity to explore, imitate, play in more daring and creative ways, learn simple finger games, and enjoy a snack together. Caregivers will observe and support, learn new strategies around conflict resolution and boundary setting and meet new friends. The child’s imagination is encouraged through indoor play, song, stories, and games. More opportunities for gross motor development happen with more challenging environments and play.
Parent & Child Program Teachers
Mary Nichols
Teacher Mary is a seasoned Waldorf preschool teacher with over twenty years of experience. She is also the mother of Waldorf graduates, one of whom is now a Waldorf teacher, and a grandmother to children currently enrolled at Davis Waldorf School!
Waldorf Early Childhood work is based on The Following ideas:
- Young children learn through imitation.
- Rhythm in the home and school life helps the child feel secure and builds an inner self discipline.
- Children need the protection of the senses in the early years and deserve to be surrounded by goodness and beauty.
- Children’s play is their work and is an important part of their healthy development.
- Play connected to the seasons of the year as much as possible is wholesome for the young child and engenders a love of our Earth.
- Our children are our greatest teachers.