Fundamentals Retreat in Limerick, Maine

August 6-10, 2025 Limerick, ME

Mary Graham, Student Services Coordinator

Join us for a five-day in-person retreat to fill your tool kit with:

  • The basics of early childhood and how to support this critical phase of development
  • An introduction to the Living Arts
  • How to create sustainable and nourishing rhythms with attention to transitions
  • An understanding of the importance of play and how to support it
  • How to build effective relationships with partners, parents, colleagues
  • Basics in storytelling, as well as an experience of songs and games for children
  • Basic skills in handwork, festival craft, watercolor painting, nature table creation

**PLUS enjoy a week of nourishing self-care with delicious, organic meals, time in nature, movement classes, and the camaraderie of an established community to support and inspire you in the future!**

Mary has been working with children and families for the past 30 years! Homeschooling her children is what led her to Waldorf education, after looking for a holistic approach to education and family life. Mary became certified in LifeWays in 2011 and had a program in her home until 2021 when she built a new facility on her family homestead in order to share this philosophy with more children and families in her area. Creating a community for parents, children and caregivers is her passion and Mary is so excited to bring LifeWays trainings to Maine!

Call (207)600-2244 or Click to contact Mary for more info!

Susan Silverio, Lead Teacher

Susan Silverio was the founding teacher of Ashwood Waldorf School where she led the mixed-age kindergarten at Spindlewood Kinder Cottage in her three-generation family homestead in Lincolnville, Maine for 28 years. She led three LifeWays Northeast trainings. Susan also founded and directed MidCoast Hospitality House that shelters 22 women and children now transitioning to permanent housing through HomeWorthy. Since her retirement, Spindlewood continues as a Waldorf LifeWays nursery program, while Susan devotes herself to cultivating her garden and community.

“I firmly believe that in a child’s early years, the foundation is laid for their entire life: for their health and well-being, for their sense of relationship with other human beings and with all realms of nature. It is about giving the child the opportunity to play, to explore, to be outdoors, to experience the arts and the spoken word, living images, stories and music. It is about providing something worthy of imitation, inwardly as well as outwardly. In this way a child finds a sense of inner authority.”

Also View all Our Other Courses

Welcome to LifeWays!
Online, view any time for free!

Renewing Life at Home
Online, Webinar on Feb 23

Singing Through the Day With Anna Rainville
Online, Starts Feb 27, 2025

Birth to Three: Child Development and Care with Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Online, Starts March 5, 2025

Circle of Hands Experienced
Online, Next session March 16, 2025

The Genius of Play
Online, Thursday, Mar 27, 2025

Becoming Champions of Play with Judith Frizlen
Online, Starts April 9, 2025

Food for Thought: Rhythm and Beauty of Nutrition
Online, Starts April 30, 2025

Using "Home" as the Model in your Program with Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Online, Starts Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Curative Education in Early Childhood
Online, June 27th- 29th, 10:00am - 1:30pm Central with a 30 minute break.

Building a Strong Foundation: Care of the Young Child’s Senses
Online, Three weeks starting July 9, 2025

LifeWays Early Childhood Fundamentals Course
July 9- 13, 2025 in Boulder, CO, July 14-18, 2025 in Atlanta, GA and August 6-10, 2025 in Limerick, ME

Creating Your Family Culture -- An Elemental Approach
Online - Start any time!

Creating Home Away from Home: A Course for Home Childcare Providers
Online - Start Any Time!

Celebrando: Entendiendo, Creando y Viviendo las fiestas con intención
En linea: Inscripciones abiertas todo el año. Registrate y aprende a tu ritmo ¡Ya!

The Living Arts - Cornerstones of Care
Online - start any time!

Healthy Home Rhythms
Online - Start any time!

Living Arts Through the Seasons ~ Archived
Online Archive of past seasons

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