The preschool years are not too early for children to think globally and learn respect, a central concept of the holistic education program at the Prairie Flower Children’s Center in Ames.

The school moved Monday to a new location, 2630 West Lincoln Way, where it fills the first floor of the house. Prairie Flower Children’s Center is central Iowa’s only Waldorf-inspired preschool/daycare, said Leigh Adcock, board president of the Ames Waldorf Association.

“It’s what we refer to as holistic teaching,” Adcock said. “We teach the child not only through the head, but the hands and heart as well.”

The school fills the first floor of a house, with a full-sized kitchen, a dining room and a playroom with a full backyard. The playroom is full of toys, but unlike most preschools, all of the toys are made from natural materials, such as wood or cloth.

“We teach the children to think of and respect each other as humans,” Adcock said. “We educate global citizens. After this last week, I think it is as important now as ever, if not more so.”

There are no televisions or video games at the school. Instead, the children participate in activities such as watercolor painting, weaving or breadmaking, Adcock said.

Storytelling also is a large part of the day at Prairie Flower.

“The stories are told, rather than read,” said Darla Holliday, mother of a recent Prairie Flower graduate. “The kids make their own pictures, [which] stimulates the imagination.”

Creativity is an important aspect of the school, said Irmi Miller, an assistant teacher.

“We give the older children books with detailed pictures, but no words,” she said. “They make up their own stories.”

Children also are encouraged to make craft projects and artwork, Miller said. The children learn to sew, paint and do simple cooking.

“They learn basic measuring skills, math and other pre-academic skills through these activities, while still avoiding the push into academics,” Adcock said.

Outdoor play is another major part of the school’s curriculum. The children begin their time at Prairie Flower outside everyday, barring extreme weather conditions, she said.

“We have a garden box that we are going to fill with soil and mulch,” Adcock said. “We encourage the children to bring bulbs and seeds from home so they can watch them grow.”

The school is set up to give the children a home-away-from-home atmosphere, she said.

“The walls and decorations are done in a peachy color, which is very comforting and nurturing for a young child,” Miller said.

The type of education provided at Prairie Flower Children’s Center was developed in the 1920s in Germany by Rudolf Steiner, Adcock said.

Prairie Flower began nine years ago out of one of the teacher’s home, but it has expanded enough to necessitate the new location.

It is licensed through the Iowa Department of Human Services and has both preschool and daycare openings. The center can host 14 students.

“The small number gives more of a family feel,” Adcock said.

“All the students and teachers get to know each other very well.”