Rhythms of the day, week, month, and seasons are an integral part of a child's experience at Heart To Hand School. Following an intentional rhythm is different from adhering to a schedule. Movement and flexibility -- expansions and contractions -- are incorporated into a gracefully flowing and health-giving progression.
Every day begins outside in our Play Garden. Singing transitions us into the indoor spaces where the children welcome the day and one another in "circle time", a teacher-led series of group activities that includes singing, dancing, and stories. Circle time is followed by sharing a wholesome snack together.
Recharged and inspired, children move at their own pace into the artistic activity of the day followed by uninterrupted imaginative play. The artistic activities follow a weekly rhythm, with different days of the week dedicated to such activities as bread-making, watercolor painting, beeswax modeling, woodworking, sewing, etc.
The morning session concludes with storytelling, lunch, outside play, and a closing circle with song that prepares children to either say good-bye and go home or, for those who stay into the afternoon, to settle down for quiet time and naps. After nap comes another snack followed by singing, stories, games, art, and imaginative play.
Rhythms
Rhythms,
Not Schedules
"There are three effective ways to motivate
learning: fear, competition, and love.
We do without the first two."
~ Rudolph Steiner
