Parent-Child Program Information
Winter/Spring 2024 – Registration coming soon.
Join our Early Childhood News list to receive information as soon as it becomes available for our Winter/Spring 2024 session, in mid-December. This session will begin in February.
Our Parent-Child program supports and empowers parents and caregivers during the early years. These classes offer a simple, accessible, playful and artistic vision for nurturing the growing family. Through a practice of quiet observation, as well as shared conversation in a safe, accepting space, adults can begin to slow down and strengthen their sense of reverence, understanding, and trust in the innate competence of the young child in accomplishing the developmental tasks inherent to each age and stage.
WSP and our Parent-Child Program welcome families of all identities and backgrounds with open arms and hearts.
For the Fall/Winter 2023-24 session, the WSP Parent-Child Program has three components serving families with children 0-3 years:
- Sunday Series – Preparing the Path for Expectant Parents
- Warm Beginnings Parent-Infant Circles
- Mornings Together Parent-Toddler Classes
- Friday Morning Series Nature & Nurture Family Connections
Warm Beginnings and Mornings Together classes are held indoors on our Los Altos campus. Nature and Nurture Family Connections will take place outdoors at various locations in the area which are communicated to registered families before the first class.
Adults and children who are symptomatic of any contagious disease should not come to campus.
Preparing the Path – Sunday Series with Hannah Larson
Classes for expectant families on all paths to parenthood, including adoption, surrogacy, foster care, and pregnancy.
- Beginning April 14th
- 4 Sundays: 4/14, 4/28, 5/12 & 5/19
- 9:00 – 11:00 am
- For adults only.
Tuition includes:
- Four Sunday morning gatherings for expectant parents
All materials.
Preparing the Path classes will meet at a location convenient to our Los Altos campus.
Gather with other expectant families in a warm, inclusive space to begin laying the groundwork for your growing family with love, intention, and self-compassion. Facilitated by a postpartum doula who is also a trained Waldorf early childhood teacher, soon-to-be parents will begin to envision and craft their family culture through artistic activities, guided discussion, and relaxed conversation. A shared picture of the inherent wisdom of a child’s unfolding capacities and particular needs from birth and through the first three years will inform each family’s unique exploration of how to trust, protect, and nourish this organic development from a place of empowerment and authenticity. While much necessary focus and attention is directed toward preparing for pregnancy, birth or adoption – Preparing the Path will provide expectant parents with an opportunity to slow down and thoughtfully consider what will follow in order to move through this tender and joyful transition gently and with purpose.
Warm Beginnings with Denise Sacks
Classes for a parent or caregiver and an infant aged birth*-11 months/not-yet-walking
- 10 class session
- Beginning February 26th
- Mondays
- 9:30 – 11:00 am
Bring your infant and join in creating a safe, nurturing, community space with other families. Strengthen confidence in your own capacities and those of your baby, and deepen your understanding of the magical unfolding that takes place in the first year of life, in some of the following ways:
- Cultivate a practice of sustained peaceful observation time to connect with your baby and strengthen a sense of reverence and understanding of their innate competence in accomplishing the developmental tasks inherent to each age and stage.
- Learn and share seasonal songs/fingerplays/rhymes together with your baby.
- Enjoy warm drinks and nourishing snacks.
- Share joys and struggles in conversation, guided by a trained Waldorf Early Childhood educator (who is also a parent).
- Experience an introduction to the foundational senses of touch, self-movement, balance, and well-being, and the ways in which predictable rhythms, freedom of movement/play, healthy sleep, warmth, and nourishment support these senses in the life of the young child.
Tuition includes:
- One weekly in-person class for infant(s) and their parent(s) or caregiver.
- All materials.
Warm Beginnings classes meet on our Los Altos campus at 11311 Mora Drive.
Mornings Together with Jane Philipson
Classes for parents or caregivers with a toddler aged 12 to 36 months
- 10- or 12- week class sessions, depending upon school holidays
- Beginning the week of February 27th
- Choose Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday classes
- 9:00 – 11:00 am
Mornings Together classes offer a gentle introduction to Waldorf Education for little ones and their families. We will focus on the “Three Rs” – Rhythm, Reverence, and Repetition – which so perfectly nourish and support the needs of the young child. Each morning will be a joyful journey through outdoor and indoor play and exploration, preparation and sharing of food around the table, and seasonal songs, stories, and crafts. Parents will build a practice of sustained peaceful observation time each week, and share conversations on topics such as sleeping and waking, eating, communication, holding healthy boundaries and nurturing ourselves as adults along the way.
Tuition includes:
- One Sunday morning orientation meeting before the session begins.
- All materials.
Mornings Together classes meet on our Los Altos campus at 11311 Mora Drive.
Nature and Nurture Family Connections with Claire Roberts
for parents/caregivers and their children 0-36 months
Join us on a meander in nature with other parents and their little wanderers. The focus of our time together will be how we can nourish ourselves as well as our connection to our youngsters and each other. Come share, connect, and be in community, while recharging in nature. We will gather each week at a local nature preserve or open space to explore, discover, and support one another in our parenting journeys. This program is especially designed for parents/caregivers and their children, with their littles ages 0*-36 months in mind.
Tuition is for one family with up to two adults.
This session meets on six Friday mornings: 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24 from 9:30 – 11:15 am.
Location for the first gathering will be shared via email in advance.
Registration Information and Policies
Policies and registration links can be found here.
*Expectant families are always welcome to join.
Nursery & Kindergarten
The distinguishing characteristics that I notice about Waldorf students are their creative thinking, their self-confidence, and their love of learning — qualities that make learning refreshing.
