Hummingbird Early Childhood Haven

Hello, Friends,

If you have received this go fund me link, you are someone who knows me, or you have made an impression on me. It's likely you know my values. You know how passionate I am about freedom, the values of Waldorf education and children. I have started this fundraiser because I have a dream to build a kindergarten in my home in Sandpoint, Idaho. In order to do so, I must remodel my garage and bring in plumbing, septic and electric, along with adding windows and infrastructure.

As many of you know, I have some carpentry skills myself, so I will be doing some of the work. I will be matching the money I receive from this fundraiser. I will also use the funds for playground infrastructure; swings, climbing structure, etc..

I will not be affiliated with any Waldorf school. And for this reason, the name of my school will be the Hummin Haven. I will, however be incorporating Waldorf values into my daily practice. The following are a few points as to how my kindergarten will differ from the traditional Waldorf Curriculum.

 My progra is different from Waldorf because I incorporate many things that I believe Steiner would have wanted for early childhood. Including but not limited to: chore time, more practical life skills, more engaging and physical exertion, more physical movement and curative exercises. I also enkindle a stronger sense of community; through doing chores, having mixed ages and children taking on more purposeful work, all with joy and laughter! They thrive with this responsibility.

I have had this dream for a while, and I'm just now getting the courage to ask for help! I have been on my own since I was 17. The early death of my father has been a large part of what has impelled me to bring meaning, art and depth of human connection to the work I do in the world and with children. Children are the future!

 

My focus on early childhood education is to protect and cultivate their inherent sense of wonder. The daily mood of my kindergarten is one of joy, respect, reverence and true freedom to explore in their play.

 

It is very humbling for me to put this out to the world. And yet I must remember, that it is an opportunity for anyone who would like to contribute to a very good cause. Because no matter what, I will be building this school!

 

As most of you know, I had the wonderful opportunity to build a school from the ground up on a friend's private property for the last 2 years. This friend provided me a beautiful space, and I was left free to build the program from the ground up. I ran a very successful, high quality kindergarten and 1st grade school for 2 solid years, including summers! I had 18 children and 12 families. Any one of those families will be happy to provide references for my work. This friend is now moving out of the state, which is giving me the opportunity to branch out and start an early childhood program on my own grounds in Idaho! 

 

For those of you who may not know, Waldorf is a new approach to education. Developed in the early 1920s, it was created for the children of the Waldorf cigarette factory workers, and out of the single minded purpose to create a culture of peace, during a time of war. The Waldorf curriculum for early childhood is 3 days a week. We work with nature and nature based materials for learning. We are hands on; hand knitting, beeswax, watercolor, drawing, pottery, building forts, jump rope, felting, string games, countless stories, and curative movement exercises to name a few.

There is also a story that is told by the teacher with movement for 3 consecutive weeks, after which the children have memorized. Through all of this, the children's fine and gross motor skills are developed. The children's brains are able to develop and mature preparing them for a higher learning at an appropriate age. Above and beyond all of this, however, the Waldorf teacher is seeking to cultivate a true feeling of community, compassion and depth of human connection which ultimately will change society in the future.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope you are inspired to make a donation; whatever your contribution, it will be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you would like follow up pictures on the progress.

 

Please feel free to share with like minded friends!