Early Childhood Overview
The Waldorf Approach to Early Childhood Education
In an Early Childhood Waldorf classroom you will find an emphasis on:
Coloring with crayons in the kindergarten as an activity and part of the day
Imitation
Imitation of adult role models, who are engaged in wholesome activities and work, develops gross and fine motor skills and provides a sound basis for confidence in self and trust in the world.
Activities in Nature
A sense of wonder is cultivated through activities in nature. Celebration of seasonal festivals fosters enthusiasm for learning and life-long moral strength.
Imagination and Drama
Imagination in play, dramatization, and artistic work provides the first step of a cognitive process that is furthered through the academic work of the elementary school. Much genius originally springs from the fantasy and imagination of individuals whose creative thinking enables them to visualize how things are, and also how they might be.
While the Waldorf nursery through kindergarten curriculum does not emphasize cognitive learning, it does prepare children for elementary school in many important ways:
Foundation for Language Arts
Broad fundamental work in listening and speaking skills, including singing, proper pronunciation, rhymes that form the later basis of word families, poems, listening to and comprehending stories, which also provide vocabulary enrichment all create a solid foundation for the study of language arts in the grades.
Exploring our 5 acres of land behind our school
Foundation for Mathematics
Broad work in developing gross motor skills, graceful movement, balance, coordination, and dexterity in fingers and limbs; Imaginative play with simple objects provides the basis for abstract manipulation of symbols in school.
Artistic Training
Beeswax modeling, watercolor painting, music, singing, and simple dramatizations.
Social Skills
Learning to live, work and play in a group, sharing and taking turns; practicing common courtesy and politeness.
Work Habits
Learning to complete tasks, helping to clean up after themselves and working within the gentle structure provided by the daily rhythms of similar activities.
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