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The Haven Preschool is taught by an Early Childhood Teacher with a Waldorf Teaching Certificate. The preschool program is inspired by the gentle Waldorf philosophy, which honors early childhood as a time of wonder, imagination, rhythm, and warmth. School days follow a gentle and predictable rhythm of indoor free play, a daily artistic activity, gathering around the table to share a homemade snack, songs, verses, daily outdoor play, and puppet play stories - so children feel safe, grounded, and free to embrace their imagination. The Haven Preschool is technology-free, with focus on nurturing meaningful relationships with one another, and honoring the sacredness of Free Play.

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What is Free Play?

Free Play is when a child has true freedom in play. There is no structure and no adult direction. Children are free to explore, create, discover, and imagine. Free Play is a sacred time for a child's development of self and with others. Teachers offer social and emotional support during free play, but do not direct the children's play.  At The Haven Preschool, play is considered the "work" of early childhood. Young children learn through PLAY - through moving their bodies, through imitation, and through imagination. When children are given the time and space to freely play, they learn creativity, problem-solving, cooperation, patience, and confidence.

 

Free Play allows the young child to imitate what they see in the world around them - cooking, caring for babies, building, and tending a home. Through this kind of imaginative play, they make sense of daily life and build a feeling of belonging and security. When Free Play is protected, and unhurried, children develop a strong inner life and a deep confidence of their own abilities.

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The Haven Preschool Classroom

The dedicated classroom space within Ms.Rhae's home was created with intention, as a calm and nurturing space for young children. Soft, warm colors fill the room, with gentle paint tones and  curtains to create warm lighting. Toys are made from the natural world: wood, wool, silk, and cotton. Most toys are handmade with love, so they are uniquely one of a kind. Toys are beautiful and open-ended -- there is no plastic, no flashing lights or loud buttons. An open-ended toy allows the child's imagination to do the work. For example, a blue silk may become a river, a super hero's cape, or a baby's blanket. The child determines what the silk transforms into, and the play unfolds from their own imagination.

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