Our programs strive to achieve a balance between free play and enrichment activities to encourage independence and the joy in joining together as a group. We encourage natural talents and, for the young child, learning about the world through the gift of imitation, fantasy, and invention.
We recognize the significance of experiences in early childhood for an individual’s later development and use age appropriate approaches for teaching. Our curriculum is based on the ideas of Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner whose insights into the developing consciousness of the human being have now been verified by modern neuro-physiological studies. Researchers such as Jane Healy, David Elkind and Joseph Chilton Pearce, among others, have written extensively on the importance of play for the healthy and holistic development of children.
Power of Play
We view play as the serious work of childhood, and learning by doing provides the foundation for active imagination, problem solving, and creative thinking. Our program is experiential, based on the conviction that academic instruction is best postponed until grade school. We build the foundation for cognitive learning through a variety of play and work activities.
Journey Through the Seasons
Journeying with the children through the seasons of the year, through festivals, gardening, and craft activities, we bring a sense of wonder and reverence for nature. Through cooperative and careful work indoors and outdoors we encourage respect for both the environment and one another.
Baking, Painting, and More
Concentration, small muscle development, and eye-hand coordination are all essential to reading and writing. Activities that promote these skills include baking, braiding, finger crocheting, sewing, modeling with beeswax, crayoning, watercolor painting, and others.
Storytelling
A further contribution to language development is our practice of storytelling. In this way the child’s memory is developed along with a sense for the beauty and expressiveness of language. Some stories are presented as puppet plays.
Poetry and Singing
Daily circle time features poems, games, and songs that further build language skills and also provide the basis for mathematics skills through counting games and rhymes.
Outdoor Gardening
Gardening is a wonderful and enriching experience for the children. Throughout the seasons the children, faculty and parents all are able to assist in planting at the school. Each class tends to its own garden plots by planting various bulbs, flowers, and vegetables during the spring and fall. As a result, the children are able to see for themselves the fruits of their labor. They enjoy decorating the classroom with the flowers, and eating the vegetables for snack!
2 to 3 years 9 months by Sept 1 Th or F 9:15-11:30 Sept-June
Share your younger child’s first school experience to introduce him/her to our environment while deepening your understanding of young children and learning about Waldorf early education. Toilet training is not required.
Three Day Class 3 1/4 to 4 1/4 years by Sept 1 M-W 9:00-12:00 Sept-June
Often a young child’s first classroom, the teachers, the soft environment and the rhythm of age appropriate activities provide a sense of security and fun for your child. Must be toilet trained.
Five Day Class
3 1/2 to 6 years by Sept 1 M-F 9:00-12:00 Sept-June
Our mixed age kindergarten provides a means for healthy play and learning among the children. Through our teachers, curriculum, classroom materials and daily activities, essential foundations and skills are cultivated.
As an extension of our half day 3 and 5-day programs, the full day afternoon begins with a group lunch, followed by a nap or rest period. To balance and compliment the morning, the program is designed to provide a home-like atmosphere for a smaller group with more intimate activities.
Three Day Full-Day Program 3 1/4 to 4 1/4 years by Sept 1 M-W 9:00-12:00 Sept-Jun
Five Day Full-Day Program
3 1/2 to 6 years by Sept 1
M-F 9:00-3:00 Sept-Jun
Extended Day Options
Early Birds: open to all Three and Five Day Classes
M - F 8:00 - 9:00
Lunch: open to all Three and Five Half Day Classes
M - F 12:00 - 1:00 (lunch is included in Full Day)
Afercare: open to all Three and Five Full Day Class
M - F 3:00 - 5:00 (M -W for Three Day Class)
Partial Weeks may be avaible for all Extended Day Options. Please call the school (301-565-2282) for rates and availability.
please call 301-565-2282 for information about dates and costs
Click here to download summer program registration form
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The carefree summer days of childhood are alive and well at Acorn Hill. The centerpiece of our morning is play – free, creative and unstructured play, indoors and outdoors – the true work, joy and developmental training ground of young children.
Outdoors, children will experience the beauty of our wooded playground, atop a hill adjacent to Sligo Creek Park. Sandcastles, complete with moats and water; tiny boats made of bark or leaves; or bubbles, iridescent in their airy journeys, are among the children’s playthings. Indoors, our teachers provide a rhythm of activities designed to bring balance to a child’s day, and a wealth of natural materials to give wings to the imagination. Our week includes lively stories and puppet shows, singing and circle games, crafts, painting, gardening and baking or cooking.
Our summer program is taught by teachers who are certified Waldorf early childhood educators. It is open to children who are between the ages of 3 years, 5 months and 6 years, 3 months as of May 31. Children must be fully toilet trained. Children will stay for lunch and need to bring a lunch from home. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmation will be sent as soon as possible. If we accept your child and you withdraw him or her later, we will refund all but $50.00. There will be no refunds for days missed by a child.
Life with new babies can be full of joy and delight as we watch them grow and change before our eyes – and it can be tiring, lonely, and challenging. Join teacher Liz Hagerman for thoughtful exploration of our role as mothers and life with new babies. Each session will begin with time to give our loving, focused attention observing and attuning to our children, supporting each baby’s unique development.
