This is a very special time when the children set up their own lunch tables, and then enjoy lunch together within the sights and sounds of nature.  Children are asked to bring a nutritious, ecologically packed lunch from home. Guidelines are provided. This is an educational part of our day involving learning about nutrition and ecology, setting up a table with napkins, placemats, etc. and practicing good table manners.

       After our Lunch in the Garden session, we offer a peaceful “rest and read” period of about half an hour, followed by educational play activities. (A child may nap if she/he wishes.) Fun and fanciful learning activities are set up, and learning is guided in the well-thought-out Montessori style, but the materials include the more playful offerings not typically found in Montessori morning programs.  Open ended materials which lend themselves to development of the child’s imagination, social development, and coordination include, dolls, building blocks, train tracks, play dough, construction toys, pattern blocks, etc.