Spring River Parent & Child Programs
Our Parent & Child classes run year-round in seasonal sessions, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for children and caregivers alike. These sessions offer caregivers a space to connect, engage in discussions about child development and parenting, create crafts, enjoy a simple, healthy snack, and explore a Waldorf-inspired approach to home life.
We offer two tailored parent-child programs for our community:
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Tide Pools, guided by a WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America) trained early childhood teacher, meeting in a community space in at the beaches.
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Peaceful Steps, an entirely outdoor Forest Parent & Child Program led by an inspring and innovative Lead Forest School Teacher from Spring River.
Our Parent & Child program is sponsored in part by a generous donation to create affordable family offerings in the Beaches Community supporting gentle parenting.
If you are interested in donating your support to continue to keep costs low please visit our Giving Page.
Tidepools
A seasonal Waldof-inspired Parent & Child Class
Led by Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Sierra Humphreys
We warmly welcome families and caregivers to join our seasonally inspired parent child classes. Toddlers and their caregivers can find nourishment and support in these weekly classes. In each session, caregivers can share about the growth and changes in their children, learn circle games, songs and stories, and discuss all the joys and challenges of parenting in a loving, warm and supportive environment.
Under the guidance of a Waldorf trained early childhood teacher, participants come together in an inviting environment that echos the rhythms of a Waldorf early childhood classroom, where young children are encouraged to experience and explore the world through imaginitive play. Through quiet observation of the children at play, parents and caregivers can learn the value of a strong rhythm and how to support their children as they navigate new social situations.
In an early childhood Waldorf class the emphasis is on simplicity and natural materials. Everything in a Waldorf class is chosen for its ability to nourish the senses, bring joy, and serve a useful purpose. In these thoughtful spaces, children are able to best ground themselves in the rich imaginitive free play that is so valuable to their growth and development.
The first 4 years of a child's life are a time of profound growth. A supportive community for parents and caregivers awaites you in our seasonal classes. The children will enjoy our strong rhythm of the day including: free play, helping to prepare a healthy snack, songs, games, stories, and outdoor play. Parents and caregivers can come together to discuss parenting questions living with them, and have a loving, and supportive community on their parenting journey.
Program Specifics
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Parent & child classes will be guided by a WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America) trained early childhood teacher, meeting in a community space in the Beaches Area.
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Two six-week sessions will be offered. Classes will be held once a week for caregivers and toddlers 2-4 years old. Siblings can attend for additional cost.
Our rhythm of the day:
Parents and children arrive and set up a sit spot where they will quietly observe and hold space for the children.
Children help cut fruit for snack with parents behind them for suport. Then the children can go play as they are ready. Parents take their quiet watching spot.
We model clean up with the children then go to circle time and story.
Children join us for handwashing and snack and then everyone dismissed for outdoor play.
This is the time for parents to talk amongst themselves about questions living with them. I will visit each parent to answer questions. Some questions will be brought to the group. Sometimes articles will be provided to encourage deep conversation and answer remaining questions from the last week.
Upcoming Sessions:
Fall 2024 Tidepools
CANCELLED
A little About Sierra:
Sierra is a Jacksonville, Florida native and was one of the first students at The Playgarden, a local LifeWays Kindergarten. Sierra speaks fondly of her childhood and is overjoyed to have the opportunity to share her love of Waldorf Education with our community.
Sierra has taught at Spring River since 2018 and has been the Kindergarten Lead Teacher for four years. She enjoys a warm and supportive relationship with the families in her classes.
Sierra is an accomplished violinist and pianist and has been studying music for nearly 20 years and playing professionally for over 16 years. Her adventurous spirit led her to spend a semester in India, where she studied wilderness first aid, botany, language, yoga, and white-water rafting through a program offered at the University of Utah. One of the highlights of her journey was contributing to the construction of a greenhouse for the town of Ranikhet.
Sierra's commitment to Early Childhood Education is unwavering. She is currently enrolled in the prestigious Sophia's Hearth Early Childhood Education and Certification Program, a three-year, 500-hour intensive recognized by WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America.) She is set to complete her certification in 2025, a testament to her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
Sierra also recently completed the year-long Building Bridges to Waldorf Education certification course offered by Antioch University and the Center for Anthroposophy. She also studied International Relations at University of North Florida.
Peaceful Steps
An All-Outdoor Parent & Child Forest Class
Led by nurturing outdoor educator Ashlyn Tiberio
Join us in our Waldorf-inspired forest parent-child group, Peaceful Steps.
Our Waldorf-inspired parent-child group, Peaceful Steps, is not just about the forest and the activities. It's also about the opportunity to connect with nature and other parents. Led by our forest school teacher, Ms. Ashlyn, the group meets once a week for a 6-week period in Hanna Park.
You and your child will hike, explore, prepare, eat a snack, and engage in a Waldorf-inspired circle and puppet story.
The group is geared towards caregivers with 0-4 year olds and will meet on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
It's a wonderful season to emerge from our hibernation and connect with others through the fresh, blooming nature surrounding us. We can't wait to see you there!
This program is specially designed for parents/caregivers and their children under four years of age. Because of space limitations and supplies, we ask for a ratio of one child per caregiver.
Siblings age 4 and under may attend for an additional fee each per session.
Upcoming Sessions:
Fall 2024 Peaceful Steps
6 weeks of Parent & Child Nature Connection
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September 17 - October 22, 2024
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Tuesdays 9:30 am - 12 PM
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Fee $191.55 per Caregiver & Child
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$35 per additional child
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Fee includes healthy snack and weekly craft
Winter 2024 Peaceful Steps
6 weeks of Parent & Child Nature Connection
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November 12 - December 17, 2024
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Tuesdays 9:30 am - 12 PM
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Fee $191.55 per Caregiver & Child
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$35 per additional child
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Fee includes healthy snack and weekly craft
A little About Ashlyn:
Ashlyn grew up in Western New York, exploring the forests and nature all around her. She is a lover of the arts - was a dancer for most of her childhood and spends a lot of time drawing and painting. She spent her teenage/young adult years traveling all over seeking adventures through hiking, snowboarding, and experiencing different cultures.
Ashlyn recently moved to Jacksonville seeking a fresh, nature-oriented lifestyle for her and her family! She is passionate about homeschooling and holding space for children to expand their passions, gifts, and imagination. She is inspired by the Waldorf method because it incorporates the whole child.
Ashlyn is a full-time mom and works two days a week as Spring River The Forest School Lead Teacher and as a caregive in a local playspace.
She has outdoor educator training through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. She has also attended a three-day Nature-Based Early Learning Conference through Natural Start Alliance. In addition, she has taken webinar classes through Antioch University such as Explorations, Mindfulness for Educators and Supporting All Kinds of Minds, to further her teaching practices. She has also been trained in CPR/First Aid with an emphasis on urban wilderness first aid.
All offerings are subject to minimum enrollment and teacher availability.