Rhythms of Orchard

Ladybugs

Quite often, the two- or three-year-old, stepping away from home for the first time, needs a  gentle, loving place that recognizes the tenderness of their age and receives this child with reverence and care. Even a child who has been in the care of a nanny or daycare could experience a challenging transition into their new preschool. That is why we offer quiet activities, following the teacher's judgment upon weather, play dynamics, and needs of the individual child. The Ladybugs are given the  opportunity to watch and learn from the “big kids.” Imitation is the basis for all learning from birth throughout the early childhood years, and older children are often some of the best educators for these little ones.

Bumblebees

The four-year-olds come to preschool with a new sense of confidence and are ready to build relationships and forts with equal joy. They still look up to the five-year-olds, but it is on more equal footing. While not quite ready to sit down for any length of time, they do enjoy dabbling in projects as long as there is plenty of time to run, climb, build, and push trucks around the yard. Of the three different age groups, it is the four-year-olds who consistently choose to spend the most time in the yard.

Owls

The five-year-olds are ready to engage in activities for a greater length of time and take on the new challenges of arts and crafts with an enthusiasm that is a joy to behold. Learning numbers and letters is part of the curriculum for five-year-olds; however, unlike other education systems, the philosophy of Waldorf Education teaches these skills in a very imaginative, creative way, making the lessons so inspired that the children easily retain the information. We call this  “Learning as a Living Art.” Like any muscle, we start with simple activities and build strengths

Rhythm of the Year: Festivals

FCS also recognizes the value of festivals in the lives of children and the community. The teachers take great joy in preparing for these events with the help of the children.

Autumn Field Trip - Pumpkin Farm:  In late September or mid-October, prior to Halloween, families meet at Oxbow Farm, a local, organic farm to learn about the farm and select a pumpkin to take home. Parents must attend this field trip or plan for someone to bring their child/ren.

Lantern Walk: In early November, after the clocks have changed, the days are getting shorter, and the nights are longer. The Lantern Walk honors the changing of the light and the celebration of the last of the golden autumn glow. We gather at Gasworks Park and begin the walk shortly after 5 p.m. This is a very short festival. We walk to the top of “Kite Hill” and down again. Our whole community is invited to this event, and every year, well over 100 people show up to sing and walk together. 

Winter Garden: In December, the winter solstice and winter holidays are celebrated in a unique and wonderful way full of holiday music. The room is decorated with a large spiral of greenery on the floor, creating a pathway for the children to walk inward toward the center of the spiral. The children (ages 4 or 5) carry an unlit candle, resting in a beautiful apple, to the center, where a lighted candle glows. After lighting their candles, the children walk outward from the center and place their candles along the spiral. At the end, the entire spiral is lit up, and the community sings a final song together. It is the perfect way to close for winter break and begin family holiday festivities. It typically takes place in the late afternoon or early evening at FCS.

May Day Festival: The May Day Festival is all about celebrating the arrival of spring! Parents help create flowered May crowns for their children. In preparation, the children learn songs and dances for Maypole dancing. We ask that parents bring flowers to make crowns on the festival day, which is held on the 1st of May (if on a weekday) at Meridian Park. Once we have assembled these crowns, we will dance around the Maypole tree. Parents can stay if they like at the park and may bring picnic lunches for their families. All families are welcome! 

Jumping the Log:  Following the last day of the school year, Jumping the Log is a very special day for all the children, especially for morning preschool children who have been with us for two to three years and will make the exciting transition to Kindergarten or First Grade next school year. For each child, whether they are jumping the log or not, this event is equally important. For the younger child, it is a moment of watching and seeing what lies ahead for them. For the older child, it marks a moment of moving on. For all of us, it is the magical exchange between the younger child seeing where they are going and the older child looking back from where they have journeyed.