Enchant The Child Teacher Training creatively fosters Preschools and Kindergartens so that are warm, nurturing environments that provide the foundation for the child to develop the skills for academic and life success.

Unique combinations of structure and rich imaginative play provide the background for daily activities which include: Arts & Crafts, Storytelling, Singing, Theater, Puppetry, Baking, Organic Gardening, Nature Hikes, Creative Movement and Circle Time.

Play Circle Time audio recording
Performed by Sandra D. Weinstein.
Copyright © Bonnie River, M.Ed.

Sandra has been director, founder and teacher of five Waldorf Inspired Schools, and brings her own unique magic to the world of alternative education, using many of the educational principles of Rudolf Steiner and his child development model. She has taken the curriculum to a universal level so that people, (parents and children) from all walks of life can feel at home in the circle of community. Multicultural stories, creative discipline, compassionate communication, and a win-win philosophy makes her approach a rare find. Gender balance, respect for the earth and the interdependence of all beings is emphasized indirectly through story and higher imagery.

The children are empowered with a sense of belonging and enthusiasm for life. Themes and experiences of a world built on peace, love and cooperation are woven through all aspects of the day. Creative discipline, conflict resolution, and effective communication skills are all infused with this mood of collaboration, support and teamwork. If they are to create a better world, they must have a model to envision it, and to have actually lived it, is even more powerful. A child is not prepared for a bad experience by being given a bad experience! Every child is a king or queen for every season as the festivals of nature are celebrated providing themes for the integrated curriculum.

The warm, home-like environment serves as a bridge between home and school that emphasizes on social-emotional development, language skills and sensory integration that is essential for practical and academic achievement.

This approach helps nurture, develop and support:

• The tender, emerging self • Trust in the world • The imagination • The inner life • Artistic expression • Sensory integration • Optimum physical development • Language development • Communication with compassion • Social skills

• Emotional health • Gender balance • Love of learning • Joy for living • Magic awe and wonder • Creative thinking • Foundation for academic strength • Enthusiasm • Connection with something larger than oneself • Respect and Reverence for life

PHILOSOPHY

Commitment to deep ecological values in the curriculum and daily life of the classroom is a given. As reverent stewards of the earth, we believe that we humans are not separate from nature nor do we have the right to dominate it. We celebrate yearly festivals that strengthen the child's connection to the earth and it's cycles and the regenerative aspect of nature. This prepares the child for the inevitable transitions that are a natural part of life. The interconnectedness of all forms of life is deeply encouraged and modeled and while we are nondenominational, universal spiritual values are clearly and joyfully expressed.

Each child is a star as we, in circle time, reach up and bring down a star and put it in each ones little "house" or body and bring it into the heart. In this way, the children feel part of a friendly, loving universe. The heart is warmed and we are symbolically filling the body with light as we express our gratitude for the wonderful world around us. When beauty, truth and goodness are experienced through the senses and through early relationships, children are literally building themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually, using these influences.

We are planting the seeds for the child to hold and trust a vision for later life, as we facilitate in helping them realize their wishes and dreams through play, the child's work. We are then, by example, strengthening the will forces in a child to follow a vision through, as in "wishes can come true". If we can imagine it, we can become it.

And the children come home singing!!

Sandra is available for educational consultation for schools and other organizations, parents and caregivers.

For more information, please contact Sandra using the Contact form.

'ENCHANT THE CHILD' WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS AND CAREGIVERS:

TEACHER WORKSHOPS
CURRICULUM OUTLINE

The Three R's - Rhythm, Repetition & Ritual

NUTS AND BOLTS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

Classroom Management
Creating Joy in the Classroom
Environment for Optimal Sensory Experience & Development

HEALTHY RHYTHMS IN THE CLASSROOM

Structure and Consistency
Rhythms in the Classroom
Larger Rhythms -- Yearly
Smaller Rhythms -- Weekly & Daily
Warm Welcoming and Closing of the Day

EASY TRANSITIONS

Songs & Verses for Transitions - Songs for All Occasions-
Bring back the Magic
Harmony & Peace at Snack Time - Delightful Natural Snacks,
Verses & Manners to Match
Lullabies & Stories for Naptime- Art & Beauty at Naptime
Nurture, Nourish & Nap
Weaving a Magical Mood

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF THE CLASSROOM

Communicating With Compassion
Conflict Resolution
Reflective Listening
Building the Sense of Self - Mirroring
Making The Child Psychologically Visible
The Five Emotions and The Child
The Feeling Letter Process - All Ages

THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

The Role of Stories for the Child
Stories as an Art and Tool for Teaching
How to Celebrate with Arts, Crafts, Songs and Stories
The Role of Healthy Imagery - Imagery and Its Role in Brain Development

SUPPORTIVE DISCIPLINE and The Path to Self-Corrective Awareness
Tools for Cooperation
Limit Setting with Love
Bring Out the Best and Celebrate Success

CIRCLE TIME AND MOVEMENT

The Value of Movement
Seasonal Movement with Song and Verse
Songs for All Seasons

WORKING WITH TODAY'S CHILD

THE VALUE OF PLAY

Imaginative Play
Circle Time
Finger Plays
Creative Movement

THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS

Different Styles of Learning
Modes of Learning
Child Study

THE GENDER FAIR CLASSROOM

Recognizing & Celebrating the Differences in Girls & Boys
Creating Gender Balance

NATURE CURRICULUM -On Sacred Ground - The Earth is Alive

Interconnectedness - Our bond with the Earth
Everyone Wins! - Non Competitive Games
Earth Friendly Play

CELEBRATIONS FOR ALL SEASONS - Meaning of the Festivals and Nature Table

Weaving It All Together -Year Round Themes & Curriculum Planning
Arts & Crafts for Nature's Children (Movement, Theatre, Painting, Modeling,
Drawing, Creative Movement, Imaginative Yoga Journey, Singing, and more

HOW TO WORK WITH PARENTS - Parents Need Support

Different Parenting Styles
Tools for Supportive Discipline
Positive Phrasing and Redirection
Importance of Positive Messages
Feeling Letter
Limit Setting with Love
Working With Healthy Imagery (Wholesome & Nourishing)

NURTURING YOURSELF - Life of the Teacher