Early Childhood

Curiosity Is Fed In Our Children’s Garden

Programs for Pre-K 2's-4's, Kindergarten, and Forest Kindergarten | Named Parents Choice: Best of Baltimore, Best Preschool, by Baltimore's Child Magazine

Waldorf Early Childhood classes allow children to learn through experience: to understand nourishment by rolling dough, develop fine motor skills by finger knitting, hammering nails and painting, observe lifecycles by planting gardens, and to appreciate nature by spending a significant portion of their day outdoors, in all seasons, through sunshine, rain, sleet, or snow.

Our early childhood program is called the "Children’s Garden". It is in an environment that is child-centered, warm and nature-rich. Waldorf teachers nurture each child’s natural curiosity, enthusiasm, and innate ability to learn social, emotional, and physical skills.

Our sensory-rich learning environment is one that upholds the values of empathy, respect, kindness, compassion, and understanding. We provide well-selected, natural, learning materials and activities that propel your child’s imagination while making them feel right at home.

In the Children’s Garden, the consistent rhythmic structure of the day is unhurried, and intentionally meets the developmental needs of young children. Each day includes a long period of active play, snack preparation (chopping veggies for soup, or kneading dough for bread), a shared meal, communal clean-up, activities using natural materials, rest, and a movement rich seasonal circle time. Reading, writing, arithmetic, science, world languages, movement, nature studies and arts are introduced in a manner that is natural, balanced and developmentally appropriate for children, laying a strong foundation for academic learning.

The Children's Garden brings to children a rich language program, where beautiful and complex stories from various cultures and countries are presented orally or accompanied by puppetry, feeds children’s imagination, builds vocabulary, and supports the development of literacy. Students learn to listen respectfully, concentrate, and craft their own mental images. Teachers plant the seeds of empathy through the care and nurturing they give each child, serving as role models for the development of loving hearts.

Daily activities, such as preparing meals and caring for the classroom, allow children to explore early concepts of math and chemistry, build social skills, and practice real-world problem-solving. Students also celebrate life and the changing of the seasons with festivals and activities.

To learn more, email the Admissions Office or call: 410-367-6808, ext. 202.