Apple Blossom School and Family Center is inviting parents to a Parent Evening on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 7-9 p.m. for a discussion titled, “Who Am I? Your Child’s Next Steps in Development,” led by lead teachers Jessica Khoshabo and Allison Reznik, and a panel of alumni parents. Topics include discussing strategies to meet a child’s needs, how Waldorf Education supports child development, and alumni parents’ perspective on a child’s journey to 1st grade.

Apple Blossom School and Family Center, located in the Cannondale area of Wilton, has been serving children and families for over 10 years. School leaders say Apple Blossom School and the Waldorf philosophy is an alternative to the accelerated approach to early childhood education.

According to that Waldorf philosophy, “from birth to age six, children are allowed to grow and develop in an enriching space where learning takes place through play, activity, and imagination. Emphasizing time spent outside, children are able to reinforce their physical acuity, as well as cement a sense of wonder and joy of the world. Warmth from the teachers allows the children to engage in imaginative play and develop their gross and fine motor skills. Warmth is also the base of the social experience that is so important in an early childhood community. The use of natural materials is another form of warmth, as a child who engages with objects made from wool, wood, and cotton, learn to discern what is real, what has weight, and what is true in their lives. The classroom in a Waldorf School is inviting and beautiful to feel like and embrace around the young child. All snacks are organic and are largely prepared by the children. From cutting vegetables for Tuesday’s soup or kneading warm bread dough for bread day, children delight in mastering independence at the same time as developing their senses and coordination. Painting, woodworking, handiwork, and gardening are weekly activities that nurture the creative ability of the children and promote endless opportunities for intellectual and physical development. The skills learned at this time make up the essential foundation for academic mastery in the future.

For more information, call 203.493.4003 or email the admission office.