Parent-Toddler Class with Jennifer McKinley
Wednesday mornings and Friday mornings

Take a moment to breathe, unplug, and connect with your child and other parents and caregivers during our morning Parent-Toddler classes. These simple, sweet, and playful morning gatherings are held in our school's cozy parent-child classrooms, a welcoming child-centered environment that invites exploration and play. We also spend time outdoors (weather permitting!) enjoying the play yards and gardens on our school’s 10-acre campus.

While children have an opportunity to play, adults share a cup of tea and work on simple seasonal crafts. As a group, we take time to observe our children, discuss important topics in parenting, share our experiences caring for young children, and learn more about the Waldorf approach to early childhood, which emphasizes wonder, imaginative play, and connection with nature.

Winter 2026 Sessions: Wednesdays, 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., or Fridays, 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

New! Nature-Based Bilingual Parent-Toddler Class with Monica Martinez / Tuesday mornings

This bilingual (Spanish–English) and nature-based parent-child class offers a gentle, nurturing space for young children and their parents or caregivers to explore and grow together. We will spend most of our mornings outdoors—walking, playing freely, digging in sand and mud, and experiencing the changing seasons through our senses. At times we will gather indoors, for play and shared time in the classroom, especially if the weather is inclement, but nature will be our main teacher.

Through seasonal songs, verses, and simple activities, families will begin a joyful introduction to the Spanish language in an organic and playful way.

Parents will also have opportunities to connect with one another, learn mindful observation of their child, engage in simple handwork or nature-based crafts, and discuss parenting and Waldorf education.

Winter 2026 Session: Tuesdays, 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday Outdoor-Spanish Program
with Monica Martinez
January 13 - March 31 (11 Tuesdays)
8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
$550
Register Here

Monica Martinez
Monica’s passion for supporting healthy child development began over 30 years ago with the birth of her two sons. Inspired by her time with young children, she became a certified Waldorf early childhood teacher and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) educator. She has founded and directed several Waldorf-inspired early childhood programs in Mexico, blending outdoor education and bilingual learning, and has also mentored and trained teachers in Waldorf and early childhood education. In 2021, she founded Banyan Forest Kindergarten in Austin, Texas—a Forest-based, bilingual (Spanish–English) program rooted in Waldorf principles. Alongside her teaching, Monica offers workshops for parents on early childhood development and guidance for educators. She is also a certified Family Constellations facilitator.

Jennifer McKinley
Since joining the staff at Marin Waldorf School in 2012, Jennifer McKinley has taught in both the Parent-Toddler and kindergarten programs, in addition to leading the grades 1-8 gardening program. Jennifer is currently completing her Waldorf teacher training program at the West Coast Institute in Vancouver, Canada, and she has also completed trainings with Lifeways and Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training (Foundation Studies). She double majored in creative writing and art practice at UC Davis, and held a wide range of jobs before she began teaching, including semi-truck driver, wilderness guide, and organic farmer, to name a few. Jennifer loves being in and on the ocean, playing with her family, being outdoors, making things, food in general, travel, reading, and working in her garden.