The past several years have seen a revival of the Waldorf philosophy, where children learn through creative play and imitation in the early years, and start reading only when they are seven years old.

Two years ago, Joylynn Holder and her husband, Charlie Foster, started a programme called Brooklyn Forest - a series of classes held for toddlers to learn through activity in Prospect Park in New York City. In Brooklyn Forest, students will be guided rather than explicitly directed; for example, learning manners from seeing them modelled than being told to perform them. Snacks consist of wholewheat bread baked by Mr Foster, sliced apples and Saskatoon berry tea. Brooklyn Forest aims to expose children to a world beyond their "bubble" from a young age, and to embrace a natural, slower pace of life, as compared to a fast-moving, convenient urban one.

For more information, please visit https://cn.nytimes.com/education/20130503/c03preschool/en-us/
Photo: Emily Penguin, Flickr