Resources for Teachers and Caregivers

Early Childhood Certification Dates and Locations

Florida, July 2024 - June 2025

This class is now fully enrolled for 2024-25
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Contact: Hunter Davis, Student Services Coordinator 904-304-6364 hdavis@theplaygarden.org

Oklahoma, August 2024 - August 2025

This class is now fully enrolled for 2024-25
Oklahoma City, OK
Contact: Emilee Little, Student Services 405.306.2224 emileedlittle@gmail.com

SF Bay Area, August 2024 - June 2025

This class is now fully enrolled for 2024-25
Marin County, CA
Contact: Marianne Alsop mariannea@lifewaysnorthamerica.org

Alaska March 2025 - March 2026

$225 Discount if enrolled by Jan 27, 2025!
Palmer, Alaska
Contact: Regin Dervaes 907-315-1677 regin.lifeways@gmail.com

Utah March 2025 - April 2026

$225.00 discount if enrolled by February 17, 2025!
Highland, UT (near Salt Lake City)
Contact: Tiffany Manoukian, Student Services Coordinator (520) 358-5380 tiffany.manoukian@me.com

Courses for Teachers and Caregivers


Welcome to LifeWays!

To introduce you to our innovative approach to care for young children, we invite you to jump into our FREE online course. "Welcome to LifeWays" includes videos and resources to help you deepen your home life and transform your work with children! Enjoy it on your own time, and at your own pace!

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Celebrate Autumn with Mother Earth

A Handwork Workshop with Mindy Upton
Sunday, October 13, 1- 4pm Central

Join Mindy in celebrating Autumn by making a Mother Earth moveable, standing puppet. Mother Earth is the focal point of the nature Table as she works from her special root table, making clothes for all her little ones and prepping all the leaf babies for the coming of spring. We will create a Mother Earth that can easily move in a puppet show, or hold her special tools in her strong hands. Simple sewing and felting will be used in this class. read more...


The Gift of Color

A Lively Autumn Workshop with Lynn Turner and Leslie Wetzonis Woolverton
Three Sessions: October 14, 21, 28 6- 8pm CT

Together we will explore the gift of color through our Waldorf early childhood paper arts and crafts curriculum. We will play with color through the seasons and share crafts and activities to bring and inspire wonder, beauty, joy and diversity to the children in your care from birth to seven.read more...


Circle of Hands Experienced

An In-Depth Handwork Experience with Mindy Upton of Blue Sky Craft Studio
Once-monthly, September 2024 through May 2025

Join us for a “closed” Circle experience with colleagues from Year One; this second year circle will build upon established handwork skills. Mindy is providing a unique and wonderful opportunity for participants, bringing together handwork, music and story for a complete experience that can be used in your early childhood program immediately after completion! The year’s curriculum will include creating puppets, seasonal crafts and nature garden creatures that will enliven your growing repertoire. read more...


Family Storytelling Today

A Three-Session Workshop with Nancy Mellon
Sundays, November 3rd, 10th, 17th 1- 3pm CT

How do we nurture healthy closeness with children in our increasingly mechanized, fragmented world? Join us as we tap into story wisdom that warms and strengthens a hearty caring sense of family. read more...


Learning in Nature 2: The Mystery and Wonder of Exploring Nature with Children

Online, starting November 6, 2024

Those of us who regularly take children into nature – whether our own children or those in our care – feel the calling to guide the children in a way that develops reverence for the natural world. Cultural historian and ecotheologian, Thomas Berry, called this the development of an “I-Thou” rather than an “I-It” relationship with the natural world. During this two-week course, we will explore together the inner work of the adult read more...


Singing Games: Seasonal Joy

Five Seasonal Workshops With Anna Rainville
Next workshop November 7, 7-8:30 pm Central

Come join hands to circle through the year with traditional and new singing games that celebrate the seasons, develop sensory integration, build community, and bring joy to the dancers in the forest, in the classroom, in the home, or even on zoom. . read more...


Holiday Craft Making Workshops with Christine Culbert

Tuesday, November 12, Creating a Season of Light Spiral — Walking a Peaceful Pathway Through Your Holiday Season

And Tuesday, November 19, Joyful Jingle Gnomes — Making Gnome Magic and Merriment for Your Little Ones

The Season of Light Spiral can be a lovely companion to your Advent or Solstice celebrations. In the often busy days of the holiday time, it can be so helpful to create a little time each day to come into the warmth, light and peace of the spiral. read more...

These little gnomes will make magical stocking stuffers and holiday gifts! They can become dear friends to your children and help to inspire imaginative play. read more...


Circle of Hands Foundations

A Foundational Handwork Course with Mindy Upton of Blue Sky Craft Studio
Once-monthly, September 2024 through May 2025

Grab a cup of tea, your handwork basket, and gather online for this relaxing, once-monthly handwork circle. Nourish your soul while learning the foundational skills such as sewing, embroidery, needle felting and more through inspiring projects in a circle of camaraderie. Become more practiced at these simple skills while creating projects and learning new songs, verses, and stories that can be put to use in your program immediately! read more...


LifeWays Early Childhood Fundamentals Course

Inspiration and Support for Working with Young Children
Starting August, 2025 in several locations!

Caregiving, parenting and teaching has become an increasingly challenging endeavor. Providing the right environment and nourishment for children to thrive requires strong intention and a wellspring of support. In the LifeWays Fundamentals course we offer a balance of intellectual content, hands-on work, spiritual nourishment and community support to get you started in your caregiving or educator’s journey. read more...


Celebrando: Entendiendo, Creando y Viviendo las fiestas con intención

Creando un ritmo anual basado en las celebraciones
Inscripciones abiertas todo el año. Registrate y aprende a tu ritmo ¡Ya!

Desde la antigüedad, la humanidad ha observado los cambios estacionales, cada cultura, desde sus creencias y perspectiva ha marcado pautas que marcan el pasar del tiempo y se manifiestan con celebraciones y festivales. Se ha creado así un ritmo anual de fiestas y conmemoraciones que vive en nuestras raíces. Cuando vivimos estas fiestas con consciencia nos nutren a niveles profundos, avivando y alimentando nuestra vitalidad, nuestro sentido de vida y ayudándonos a conectar con todo y todos los que nos rodean. leer más...


Creating Home Away from Home: A Course for Home Childcare Providers

Ongoing - enroll any time!

This on-demand, at-your-own-pace, online course will help you open your own early childhood program at home providing relationship-based care steeped in LifeWays Principles. read more...