"LEARNING THROUGH LIFE, HONORING CHILDHOOD"
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Little Farm School, LLC! Little Farm School welcomes children and families of any race, religion, color, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Little Farm School offers a relationship-based, nature-based and farm-based experience to those in need of quality care for their children ages 12 months to 6 years old!
Little Farm School follows the LifeWays approach to childcare, which seeks to replicate the best elements of care found in a healthy family.
It recognizes that young children thrive in a home environment that offers a strong connection to their caregiver, beauty, comfort, security and a connection to nature.
LifeWays draws its inspiration from Waldorf Early Childhood Education, which views childhood as a valid and authentic time unto itself, not just a preparation for schooling. In infancy and early childhood, daily life experiences are the “curriculum.”
Our curriculum follows the flow of the seasons and is deeply influenced by what is happening in the natural world.
We strive to offer child-safe toys made from natural and renewable resources, and often make many of our own! We use safe cleaning products and take into consideration the affect they have on our children and our environment. We offer organic and local food when available and are blessed to grow many foods with the children at Little Farm School! We are also lovingly supported by Old Wells Farm in Limington, Maine and Wolf Pine Farm in Alfred, Maine.
We are largely influenced by the works of Rudolph Steiner (1861-1925). Rudolph Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, scientist, mystic and prolific writer and lecturer who created a holistic educational movement known as Waldorf Education, as well as revolutionary movements in medicine, the arts, agriculture, even beekeeping and more. He is also the father of the Anthroposophical Society.
“Steiner, an Austrian educator who opened the first Waldorf school in 1919, was one of the early proponents of educating the whole child, not just the intellect. His indications for “developmentally appropriate education” were supported by the later work of Piaget and Gisell and are being upheld by recent brain research. When parents understand how children develop and learn, they are better able to counteract society’s tendency to treat and educate children as if they were little adults. For example, because young children learn primarily through movement and imitation, early childhood education in the home or Waldorf preschool/kindergarten needs to provide a program rich imaginative play, music, rhythm and artistic activities instead of teaching early reading and math or having a child sit in front of a computer. Studies have shown that the imaginative manipulation found in play-based programs provides the best foundation for later reading and math, and it can serve as a well spring of life-long creativity.”
Waldorf in the home: Waldorf Home Schooling Archives
Domestic, Nurturing, Creative and Social Arts, collectively known as “Living Arts,” are an integral part of the Little Farm School experience. The skills children gain through practicing the Living Arts cultivate within them a sense of initiative and purpose and provide a foundation for higher learning.
Healthy Nutrition
We believe healthy nutrition is one of the most important components of growth and development. We are committed to use local, naturally or organically grown meats, vegetables, grains, etc., when available. We use whole foods (whole grains, raw dairy products, meat from naturally or organically fed animals). Children with special dietary needs are welcome and their family’s dietary choices and preference will be respected and accommodated. We will provide all meals and snacks unless other arrangements are made due to dietary restrictions.
Rhythm
Little Farm School LLC has a rhythm for each day, which may be referred to as a routine. It also follows the rhythm of nature and its seasons. Working with the seasonal themes of the year, a balance of the impulses from nature is woven through the artistic activities using stories, songs and verses to enliven and capture the children’s interest and imagination, qualities emerging from the soul. Creating a small nature table or corner in the preschool is a way to bring nature indoors and celebrate the rhythms of the seasons. It helps the child to connect with nature, which is not separate from the spiritual world. Rhythm is also woven through the year following the festivals. The rhythm of each day, the rhythm of each season and the rhythm of the festivals of the year constitute the great rhythm of nature and the cosmos in which the children play in harmony.