Mountain Road School Parent-Toddler Classes

The Mountain Road School’s Parent-Toddler classes begin again March 23. We welcome parents and caregivers with children aged 1.5 years to 3 years. The six week program will be held on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, May 11 and  May 18 and will reflect MRS curricula themes of nature, science and the arts. Activities may include both indoor and outdoor play time, storytelling, puppet shows, song, creative play, art and exploration of nature, as well as an opportunity for parents to share child-centered discussions. Our goal is to “kindle a sense of wonder, gratitude and devotion and connect the child to earth rhythms of beauty and respect for all life.”
Parallel play is encouraged among the children.  Some of the benefits of play include developing intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, linguistically and creatively.  As children paint, sculpt and draw in our child centered program, they think creatively and fine motor skills are developed.  Stories, rhymes and finger plays are taught in a circle format each session and provide manual dexterity, sense of rhythm, new vocabulary and listening skills.  A daily snack will be shared and provided collectively by the families enrolled. Clean up is modeled and encouraged.
The MRS Parent-Toddler program is facilitated by professional puppeteer and MRS art instructor, Chantal Van Wierts. Chantal is a native French speaker from Canada and a trained Waldorf French teacher who has studied puppeteering internationally, as well as sculpture, drawing, painting, woodworking, and mime. In addition to teaching at MRS, Chantal has her own professional puppet group, The Magic Lantern Puppet Theater, and teaches local workshops in puppet making.
Tuition for the 6 weeks is $120. To register, contact Kathleen Adams at 518-794-8520.