Steiner Approach

Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Education takes an unhurried approach to childhood by providing a safe and secure environment.

Key features of this approach will include:

• Imitation - the young child imitates how we do things
• Play - the foundation for creativity and problem solving
• Rhythm - a sense of security develops from weekly and daily rhythms
• Narrative - a well chosen story provides the child with a rich resource, in terms of language and moral content

In the kindergarten (3 - 6 years old) a warm, protective environment is created much like that in a loving home. The child's inherent love of play, when nourished in a caring environment and guided gently by example, is later transformed into an enthusiasm for learning and still later into clear, practical and independent thinking.

Activities such as painting, baking, drawing, polishing, soap-making and imaginative play are part of the weekly rhythm. Seasonal stories, verses and artistic activities accompany the children throughout the year and festivals are celebrated together. Toys used in the kindergarten are of natural materials only, and when playing, the children use them and objects such as fir cones, shells, chestnuts, sheep's wool and pieces of wood.

The emphasis on the kindergarten as a small community helps to foster social skills and gives each child a sense of belonging. Through play children develop interactive skills such as co-operation, empathy, intuition and the ability to see things from the perspective of the other. A great sense of confidence and security is built up within the young child, preparing them for the next stage of development.

Steiner education addresses the development of the whole child,
"hands, heart and head".