Christina has over 15 years of experience in a wide array of early childhood education settings, in the US, Costa Rica, Guatemala and India. Her experiences include working in alternative preschools, summer camps, public schools, homeschooling, forest education and dance.
She loves all things inspired by nature and feels like nature offers something special for kids, and that’s why her philosophy and experience as an early childhood educator is heavily inspired by the principles of Waldorf and Forest Education, as well as Reggio- Emilia and Charlotte Mason educational philosophies.
Her background as a dancer has enhanced her understanding of the process of early childhood development, highlighting the importance of full body learning in the evolution of the child’s understanding of oneself and the world.
Christina is deeply invested in nurturing and supporting kids’ imaginations and curiosity to learn about themselves, and their relationship to nature and the world around them. She creates a warm and nurturing environment for young children to experience a sense of wonder, deepen their imagination and grow in connection with their environment and community.
Christina is passionate about the benefits of extended time in nature, dancing, the arts, cooking plant-based whole foods and traveling.
Her love for the forest is magical and the kids recognize the magic in it because of her enthusiasm and excitement for the benefits of spending time outdoors. A recent outdoor walk with a small group of kids unfolded into an ‘emergent’ curriculum that let the kids’ imaginations run and their creativity come forward.
The kids know and respect the rules when we go on a forest walk. We set boundaries, and once we settle on our ‘landing place’ the magic starts to happen. In the forest, there are no disruptions and fewer materials. And the kids start to play with whatever is available to them. On this walk, they started setting up ‘house’ and they started to build conversations about things they saw in our ‘landing place’ and they started to build a community inside that space, making a home, playing, pretending to cook. It was magical and a perfect example of an ‘emergent’ curriculum.
Christina specializes in:
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Performing Arts
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Forest Education
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Art – including fiber art, watercolors, painting
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Animals
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Cooking
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International studies
Some of Christina’s Affiliations, Education and Professional Development include:
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BFA in Dance from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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Master’s, Early Childhood Special Education, Hunter College
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Creative Movement/Dance Teacher, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bilingual Teacher at New York Center for Child Development, New York
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Forest Playgroup for Children Ages 1-7 and their Families, New Jersey
One of Christina’s favorite quotes:
“Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.”
–Rudolf Steiner