Sometimes the best curriculum is a grove of old trees and a carpet of leaves. On our recent visit to the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, the children moved like small naturalists, guided less by our plan and more by what their senses discovered: the crunch of oak leaves, the chatter of scrub jays, the papery rattle of seed pods tucked along a branch. This post is a field note from that morning—what the children noticed, how we followed their noticing, and why fall is a powerful teacher.

From late September’s Michaelmas to November’s Martinmas, Village Playgarden marks fall with courage-building stories, handwork, and lantern walks—gentle rhythms that help young children meet seasonal change with wonder and warmth.

Fall offers children and families the perfect moment to begin preschool. Learn how Village Playgarden’s nature-based, Waldorf-inspired program nurtures growth, rhythm, and community during this special season.

Welcome to Village Playgarden: A Waldorf-Inspired Sanctuary for Early Childhood

Since opening our doors in 2008, Village Playgarden has offered something rare and precious in today’s fast-paced world: a sanctuary for childhood.