Daily and Seasonal Rhythms
Our day flows like the breath: gathering in and expanding out
Algonquin Island Forest Kindergarten draws some of its pedagogical inspiration from the teachings of Rudolph Steiner— the founder of Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education.
AIFK’s third pillar “Reverence and Rhythm” speaks to why each day intentionally flows as a series of “in-breaths” (expansions) and “out-breaths” (contractions). The importance of rhythm and reverence in the life of the developing child is discussed throughout Steiner’s teachings on early childhood education from birth to seven.
Each day at AIFK moves between coming together for teacher-directed activities and flowing outwards into child-directed activities. For example, we begin each morning with a circle time (in-breath, teacher-led) before we flow outward into unstructured free play (out breath, child-led).
Shifting from restorative to active activities, and back again, creates an enduring sense of equanimity amongst the group. The in-breath and out-breath structure of our day leaves the children feeling balanced as we weave through transitions.
Rhythm helps to further reinforce a sense of order and routine, while still leaving plenty of room for creativity. Seasonally informed learning experiences create a deeper sense of connection with the cyclical quality of nature.
Sample Day
8:45 to 8:50 am — Parent and caregiver drop off at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
9:00 to 9:15 am — Enjoy a nature walk from Ward’s Island ferry dock to Ward’s Island meadow (on another day we may visit Ward’s beach, the boardwalk, the lagoon, etc.).
9:30 to 9:45 am— Morning circle to check-in, discuss our plan for the day, and sing songs.
9:45 to 10:30 am— Unstructured outdoor play time in the meadow.
10:30 to 10:45 am— Morning snack on a picnic blanket in Ward’s meadow. Snack accompanied by storytelling.
10:45 to 11:30 am— Unstructured outdoor play time in the meadow. Simultaneously, there will be the option to watercolour paint or draw on the picnic blanket.
11:30 am to 11:45 pm— Mindfulness activity where each child will find a “sit spot” in the meadow. Here, the children will practice some deep breathing and connecting with the land they’ve chosen to sit on before coming back as a group to debrief our morning.
11:45 to 12:15 pm— Nature walk from Ward’s meadow to the house on Algonquin Island. Once we have arrived in the indoor place, we will wash our hands for lunch.
12:15 to 1:15 pm— We will sing a song of gratitude before eating our lunch in our indoor classroom. Lunch is followed by a quiet time period where each child can select a calming activity to do (for example, a puzzle, building with blocks, drawing a picture, reading a picture book, taking a rest, etc.)
1:15 to 2:00 pm— Rhythm activity time and free play. For example, we might work on a seasonal handcraft project or bake an afternoon snack. This time block can take place indoors or outdoors.
2:00 to 3:00pm— Unstructured outdoor play time in the front yard or in Algonquin meadow.
3:00 to 3:15 pm— Afternoon circle to bring the day to a close. Debrief the afternoon and practice some deep breathing/light stretching. Preparing to head for the ferry.
3:15 to 4:00 pm— Enjoy a nature walk from the house on Algonquin Island to the Ward’s ferry dock.
4:00 to 4:15 pm— Take the ferry from Ward’s Island dock to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
4:15pm— Parent and caregiver pick up at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal