Preschool

A loving approach to early childhood education

Our Program

Maharishi Preschool & Kindergarten, a one-of-a-kind Consciousness-based school in Fairfield, Iowa, has been providing care for young children from across the globe since 1985. At the foundation of the Maharishi Preschool curriculum is a set of 16 principles found everywhere in the child’s world (e.g.., Water the Root to Enjoy the Fruit, The Nature of Life is to Grow, Rest and Activity are the Steps of Progress). These principles naturally encourage the child to make deep connections with the world around them. They gain understanding of these principles through practical experience, rather than through any intellectual analysis.

Every few weeks a new principle is introduced that is integrated into activities such as cooking, art, nature study, puppetry, stories, and song. In addition, a 5-minute walking children’s meditation technique is introduced at age 4. This simple practice improves the child’s focus and provides a quiet time to dissolve stress.

Daily, Weekly, and Seasonal Rhythm

Maharishi Preschool follows a daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythm that helps children to feel safe and nurtured. Nourish the inner life, nourish the outer life. This is the rhythm of a Consciousness-based curriculum with the youngest preschoolers. Rhythm creates security and inspires healthy habits.

The children’s’ outer rhythm can be expressed through a period of free play outside with their teachers reflecting a loving presence. The children are free to play, to demonstrate their capabilities without direct guidance or adult interference, to feel the sun’s warmth or the crunchy snow beneath their feet, to make sense and joy of the world in their own unique way.

Then they return to the classroom. The children may gather for circle time, for a story to be read or a song to be sung, to hold onto their inner imaginations, to come together peacefully to enjoy snack time together. A natural flow carries them from one activity to the next.

The children learn to know the days of the week by the snack or activity of the day—whether it be Soup Day or Oatmeal Day, Painting Day, or Bread Making Day. There is predictability and consistency, which helps foster a sense of comfort and security within the children. Each season is celebrated in a way that provides the child with coming events to look forward to.

At Maharishi Preschool, our philosophy is for teachers to be loving and kind and care deeply for each child. This deep
understanding nurtures the heart and mind of each child, as they are guided through the day, through the week, and
through the season, with care and gentleness.

Click here to join us on this harmonious journey of growth and discovery at Maharishi Preschool.