Forestglen Children's Haven

My name is Monika, and I created Forestglen Children’s Haven as a response to a deep calling that I have heard and felt, to provide spaces and opportunities for children to grow in their birthright - in connection to the earth, to themselves, and to natural and inherent ways of being and growing. 

 

I started out on a more formal journey of working with children several years ago, and have since worked in a few different schools, each based on different philosophical principles / a different overall format. I have worked in forest school, nature based homeschool programs, more academically based homeschool programs, a Waldorf program, and also have had exposure to current educational programs and ethics in public schooling for young children. Throughout my life I have always had a natural connection with children and appreciation for the purity that they embody, and since high school have been involved in childcare in one way or another (for the last 20 years). The majority of this has been with children ages 3-7.

 

This past year, I have had the pleasure and amazing gift of working in an intimate apprenticeship with Charity Cygal, a Waldorf master teacher and teacher trainer who has been in this field for 40 years! This has been the true inspiration for bringing my little haven to life, to continue her legacy and embody these wisdom ways of caring for our young ones. 

 

Another influence upon my work with children is my work with a non-profit that I have been involved with for 10 years, called A New Earth Movement, which provides platforms and opportunities for personal healing, growth and awareness, all with the greater intent to restore humanity’s connection to a greater source and their personal innate nature and truth. 

 

This has really opened my eyes to the value of providing spaces where children can be themselves, nurtured and held in an environment where they are protected from the conditionings of the external world, and encouraged to grow in a way that is natural and appropriate for their development; fostering their innate gifts, authentic nature, and the integrity of the connection of their mind, body and soul. There is a lot of philosophical overlap here with the Waldorf tradition and approach, and is the driving ethos of the Haven.

 

Forestglen Children’s Haven is born out of this impetus, to provide a space that offers the valuable ingredients and building blocks that will help to rear healthy human beings, that have a strong love for life and connection to themselves, recognizing these early years set the foundations for the rest of life, and these children are the future of our planet!

Aside from early childhood education, my background includes a BA from Bard College in Fine Art and Botany, many years of gardening and permaculture work, as well as several degrees and certifications in Herbalism and Ayurveda, having worked as a health counselor as well for many years. I would say the common thread between all of these is the inner calling to show up for and cultivate new ways of living on our planet that promote balance, harmony, well-being, integrity and happiness.