The Children’s Garden Daily & Weekly Rhythms
Here’s a sample daily & weekly rhythm from one of our classes:
EVERYDAY
9am Arrival & Morning Drop-Off
Free Play on the yard (mixed age play with the classes together on Tu/W/Th)
Yard tidy up
Form a Ring to greet the day in song and with a little eurythmy
On MONDAYS & FRIDAYS
Arrival and Morning Drop off
The class remains on site the play garden yard and outdoor classroom
Class activity
Clean up from the day’s activity + table setting for snack
Morning Circle
Wash Hands to prepare for snack
Table blessing, snack + clean up
Free play; sometimes, games and fingerplays
Yard tidy up
Story
Preparing to go home + Good-bye circle with singing and movement to end the day
12:50pm – 12:55pm Parent Pick Up
Farewell, children walk with their teacher to parent car
On TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
The class leaves the school to walk with partners over to the park after free play
Gather backpacks at the cubby, prepare to leave for the park with partners and teachers
Cross the street together as a class
A short nature walk (one day is a longer hike or “wanderweg”, as we call them)
Rest packs and set up potty
Free play in the park
Morning Circle
Prepare for snack
Snack & tidy up
Free Play
Story
Preparing to go home + Good-bye circle with singing and movement to end the day
Parent pick up, farewell
WEEKLY
MONDAYS
Daily Activity – Watercolor Painting
Snack – Oatmeal with Maple Syrup & Tea (August – Thanksgiving break)
Cous-Cous with Butter & Tea (January to early March)
Seasoned Basmati Rice or Quinoa & Tea (March – May)
TUESDAYS
Daily Activity – Bread Making
Snack – Fresh Bread Rolls with Butter, Jam & Tea
WEDNESDAYS
Daily Activity – Fresh Food-Making Day
Snack – Applesauce (August – Thanksgiving Break)
Stone Soup & Tea (January – early March)
Fresh Fruit Salad (March – May)
THURSDAYS
Daily Activity – Hike/Wanderweg
Snack – Homemade Trail Mix (all year)
FRIDAYS
Activity – Handwork*
Snack – Homemade Hummus with veggies (fall and spring)
Firepit Cooking – pancakes, latkes or popcorn (winter)
*Handwork for the class
With our outdoor curriculum, handwork consists of simple crafts (IE: simple sewing, finger crochet, wet felting, dying fabric and silk, beginners whittling, sanding, weaving). Other work includes tending to our garden, household chores, gathering fire wood and other work like sweeping and raking. The children love their little jobs and working with their hands. This year, the class will work work with felt, wool and wood in our crafts.