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Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
As a parent or caregiver to a little one, have you ever attended a story time, class, or guided activity where you heard these phrases more often than the actual story, song or giggle:
We all say these phrases a lot on a daily basis, when necessary, but I cringe every time I hear them on repeat in a play group setting. Our little ones need a break from this and a safe space in natural surroundings, allowing them to be curious and encourage them to use all of their senses. Nature is our greatest playground, in my opinion - with its uneven ground, textures, diversity of life, and the opportunity for healthy risk-taking. This type of self-education enriches their potential to learn from one’s own mistakes and build self-confidence.
Willow + Wren offers outdoor happy hour classes to guide and encourage movement in ways through nature play, exploration, music, and nature activities while also supporting children as they navigate through varying social interactions and emotions. The outdoors help stimulate the senses and curiosity of little ones, so we will often stop to listen, feel, see, and smell our natural surroundings throughout class, which can also promote healthy self-regulation. Kids can often have big feelings, especially if they are overstimulated (but honestly - don't we all?!) and I welcome and encourage this so we can all learn some different ways of self-regulation.
Each happy hour session will be slightly different from the next, depending on the theme, weather, size of class, and their vibe (if I'm being honest). Classes are carefully crafted for both interactive + guided play with fun music to promote movement and interaction with each other and include fun age-appropriate themes to enhance a fun learning environment. Activities will range from nature crafts, foraging, healthy risk-taking, interactive story time, sensory play, water play, getting messy, and lots of laughing and bonding with their peers. Class materials will be provided and disinfected at the end of each class.
Preschool classes are designed and suggested for ages 3-6; however, all ages/siblings are welcome. Children under the age of 3 must have a parent involved with the activities.
Elementary classes are designed and suggested for ages 7-11; however, all ages/siblings are welcome. Younger children/siblings must have a parent involved with the activities or may need to remain separate from the group.
WHAT ABOUT THE PARENTS/CAREGIVERS?
As for the parents/caregivers, feel free to use this happy hour for yourself to reconnect with nature, read a book, socialize with uninterrupted grown-up conversations, have a beverage... as long as you are present and close by during this hour. I encourage the grown-ups to hang back, to allow for independent play and problem-solving with their peers, which helps build self-confidence and this also helps the facilitator engage fully with less distractions. Please remember, this is a kind and judgement free zone, so no worries if you or your little one does not want to participate or would rather be together. We welcome parents to join in on the fun too, if you are more comfortable with that option. Participants under 3 years old must have a parent/caregiver present to assist when needed.
Since this is an outdoor class, there may be times when class is cancelled, such as extreme weather conditions and temperatures. Kids will get dirty and wet (we play in the creek in the warmer months), so please have them wear comfortable weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toe shoes/water shoes. A water bottle and nut-free snack are also recommended. Please apply sunscreen and insect repellent of your choice prior to class.
WHERE + WHEN:
Classes are held at Echo Lake Park off of Springfield Road in Glen Allen, VA. We meet near the entrance of the park, to the right of the parking lot, near the creek.
+ one Saturday per month (see calendar)
Class registration and payment are required so the facilitator can prepare the necessary number of materials and to avoid any delays at the beginning of class. The preschool class is $10 per child. Children/siblings under 2 years old are free and must have a grown-up available during the duration of class. The elementary class is $20 per family. Younger siblings are welcome to join the preschool class at the same time.
*When registering siblings/multiple children who are 3 years and older, please register each child separately, so we may account for each participant.
See our FAQ section below for more information.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to info@willowandwrenkids.com if you have any questions.
Not really - A parent/grown-up must be present for the duration of the class; however, it is considered a happy hour for grown-ups as well, so we ask and encourage that the parent/caregiver hang back and relax and/or socialize with each other...Bring a book, a beverage, a chair, etc. If your child is younger than 3, a caregiver must be available at all times during the duration of class.
Attire: This is an all-outdoor class, so please dress for the weather. Comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes that can get dirty and/or wet are recommended. A bathing suit and water shoes are acceptable too in warmer months. Please apply sunscreen and insect repellent prior to class.
Bring: Water bottle and nut-free snack (a chair or blanket if you'd like more comfortable seating for yourself)
Registration and payment are required for each participant 3 years and older in order for the facilitator to prepare materials for each class. A signed Waiver & Release of Liability is also required before the beginning of your first class. This only needs to be signed once.
Payment can be made via Venmo @willowandwrenkids. If you do not have Venmo, please contact me for alternative arrangements.
Outdoor classes help stimulate the senses and curiosity of little ones, so we will often stop to listen, feel, see, and smell our natural surroundings throughout class, which can also promote healthy self-regulation. Each happy hour session will be slightly different from the next, depending on the theme, weather, size of class, and their vibe (if I'm being honest). Classes are carefully crafted for both interactive + guided play with fun music to promote movement and interaction with each other and include fun age-appropriate themes to enhance a fun learning environment. Activities will range from nature activities, foraging, exploring, sensory play, water play, singing + dancing, getting messy, and lots of laughing and bonding with their classmates. Class materials will be provided and disinfected at the end of each class. Preschool classes are designed and suggested for ages 3-6 and our Elementary classes are designed and suggested for ages 7-11; however, all ages/siblings are welcome.
As for the parents/caregivers, feel free to use this happy hour for yourself to reconnect with nature, read a book, socialize with uninterrupted grown-up conversations, have a beverage... as long as you are present and close by during this hour. Please remember, this is a kind and judgement free zone, so no worries if you or your little one does not want to participate or would rather be together. We welcome parents to join in on the fun too! If your child is 3 or under, please be available to assist when necessary.
Our preschool classes are designed and suggested for ages 3-6 and our elementary classes are suggested and designed for ages 7-11; however, younger or older children are more than welcome to attend. If the child plans to participate in the class, the class fee will still apply. If the sibling is younger than 2, no registration is required; however, the parent/caregiver must be involved in their child's time in class and understand that not all materials may be available. Strollers for younger siblings are not recommended during class, as we utilize the tough terrain of the trails, creek, grass, etc. Please prepare to "hang back" with younger siblings in strollers or a baby carrier may be a better option.
Cancellation due to poor weather conditions will be determined the evening prior to class and an email will be sent out. Typically, on days that the forecast is calling for rain, class will usually be cancelled.
If classes are cancelled by Willow + Wren, you will have the option of receiving a credit for a single class or a refund of a single class. Please refer to our Refund Policy under Terms & Conditions.
Cancellation of classes will be announced on our social media pages and via email or text message, so please take the time to Follow/Like us on Instagram and Facebook.
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Richmond, VA