Root Children

Groups

Playgroups

Root Children - Yukon

Groups

Based in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, the Root Children early childhood centre offers through various programs, a convenient way to experience the wonders, magic and gentleness of a Waldorf inspired preschool.

Our childhood centre is a peaceful uncluttered environment filled with simple natural playthings. Smooth river stones, driftwood, wooden blocks, brightly coloured play cloths, movable play stands, soft cloth dolls, play kitchen, wooden toys - all provide wooden_toys_and_playthings many happy hours of creative play.

Daily activities include circle time, artistic activities, creative play and story time. A healthy snack is prepared and shared together.

Through the course of the year, we celebrate the changing seasons together with songs, games and seasonal activities. A sense of security and a reverence for nature grow out of these daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms and celebrations.

For parents and toddlers of 18 months to 3 years old

Parents and children share in age-appropriate activities such as circle games, singing, short stories with puppets, baking, and simple crafts.

The most important aspect of each session, however, is the free play time, in which parents learn about the Waldorf approach and its application at home. While the children have free playtime, the adults take time to discuss pedagogical issues as well as engage in arts and crafts to prepare for the seasonal festivals or to take home.

A healthy snack will be prepared and shared during the class.

Monday in French from 9.30 to 11.30am

Wednesdays and Fridays in English from 9.30 to 11.30am

Cost: $100 for 6 classes including snack, craft material and handouts.

One time registration fee: $10 including binder. In order to keep this a special time for you and your child, class size is limited to 8 families.

For 3 and 4 years old children

Our non-academic, play-based early childhood program provides children with the opportunity to play, work and explore in small groups in an unhurried environment. Daily circle time includes movement, poetry and singing. Nature stories, folk and fairy tales from around the world are told orally, with puppets or acted out.

Children experience artistic activities such as watercolor painting, drawing, beeswax modeling and music. Other activities may include food preparation and serving, woodworking and indoor gardening. Through the example of the teacher, the students develop social skills and reverence for the world around them.

Classes will offer a gentle introduction to the French language during circle time.

Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30 to 12 noon

Cost: $200 per month for 2 mornings including a healthy snack and craft materials

One time registration fee: $20

Once a month, evening classes will be offered to all the parents to discuss various parenting topics or to engage together in a craft or artistic activity.

Details of the classes will be posted and cost may vary depending on materials needed.

Waldorf education is based on the educational insights and philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Waldorf’s principle goal is to help protect childhood by encouraging a life of imagination within a nurturing, homelike environment.

The Waldorf early childhood curriculum is designed to build a solid foundation for future academic work by protecting and nurturing children’s senses and their natural creativity.With a healthy physical development, an active imagination, and a true reverence for the world, children are well prepared for the challenges of school. Waldorf education preserves and protects the joy, magic, and mystery of childhood.

It provides children the opportunity to use their imaginations and be creative. In a setting that is free from unnecessary and unhealthy pressures, children develop a sense of trust, reverence and wonder for everyone and everything that surrounds them.

Chalia Tuzlak is a mother of 5 children, who has worked in the Early Childhood field

for many years.

She is trained as a Waldorf teacher and has a diploma in Early Childhood Education. She draws her inspiration mostly from Waldorf education principles as well as from the insights she gets daily from working with the children.

She loves cooking, baking, handicrafts, nature, circle dancing, yoga and sharing ideas with others.