Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. ~ Rudolf Steiner

Are you a good fit for our program?

Our group is rooted in Waldorf principles and will include age appropriate content for children. Our aim is to serve children from early childhood through teens. Parents are expected to stay, this is NOT a drop off activity.

Our aim is to build a strong community of families interested in an education that meets children, head, heart and hands.

Got questions? Email us!

2025/26 Enrichment Course ~ Exploring the Animal World & Wool Fiber Arts

Meets weekly, Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 am at a church in Winter Garden. The exact address is given after payment.

COST:
$100 per month/$30 registration for ages 7+ (must turn 7 by March 31, 2026)

$75 per month/$30 registration for ages 6 & under

Due to the preparations and supplies provided by our team, only children who have paid may participate. Children participating will be placed in their appropriate age group.

Receipts can be provided for scholarship reimbursement.

Each session will include:

Gathering songs & movement
fiber arts lessons including yarn dyeing, making knitting needles and learning to knit. We will have plenty of projects for the year.
Weekly animal studies
Weekly drawing skills
Weekly writing skills (age appropriate, all skill levels welcome!)
Monthly field trips to see animals up close.

For all Waldorf homeschooling families, this content covered will fulfill the Class Four Human Being & Animal World block. This content will be adjusted for each age group. The first graders will have just as much fun as the teens!

Payments are only accepted here through our website. Your bank statement will say "Waldorf Essentials."

Ready to sign up? Email us.

Meet the Teachers

Melisa Nielsen

Melisa has been a Waldorf educator for more than twenty years, teaching her own five children, children in a classroom as well as children in co-op settings. Melisa is also the Director of Waldorf Essentials, the Pedagogical Leader for Seasons of Seven Virtual School and on the founders team of Auriel's Light parent ministry.

Desy Sutikno

Desy has been homeschooling since 2020, in which she has tried a few different educational approaches. She learned about Waldorf educational approach and soon found it to be very enlivening, with contents that speak to the child’s developmental stages. Not only that she has been practicing Waldorf approach in her homeschool journey, but she has also brought it to almost every homeschool enrichment event that she has led/co-led, from a 4-H club to a mixed-age nature study club. Her direct experiences in a few group settings have convinced her of the beauty of this experiential learning with a balance of physical, intellectual, and emotional quality.

Kathy Lyons

Kathy studied Early Childhood Education at James Madison University and has spent most of her adult life working with young children. After the birth of her first son, she realized that a traditional classroom could never contain his vibrant, neurodivergent spirit, and that his education should be just as unique and joyful as he is. Through years of exploration, she discovered Waldorf education and instantly recognized it as the child’s curriculum—gentle, rhythmic, and deeply connected to the whole child. For the first time, her son was interested in learning. Kathy is excited to continue learning alongside Melisa and Desy, and to bring warmth and creativity to the youngest children in the co-op

Erik Nielsen

Erik has been homeschooling with Melisa since 2006. He has a background in journalism and media arts. Erik is the Chief Marketing Officer for Auriel's Light.

Why are we called Threefold? Rudolf Steiner, the father of Waldorf education, believed that if all three spheres of society – the political, economic, and cultural could work together, then there would be harmony. As a community of parents, working together to bring this whole education to our children, we can model this for them.

Receive the child in reverence, educate him in love, and let him go in freedom. ~ Rudolf Steiner

Threefold Central Florida is under the direction of Auriel's Light parent ministry and Waldorf Essentials.

New to Waldorf? Check out this podcast!

Reimbursement information:

The Florida scholarships may reimburse your costs for our enrichment program. We recommend choosing Instructional Material - Elective Courses - Enrichment Classes. You can use our bio to include with your reimbursement.

Download bio for reimbursements