WALDORF PHILOSOPHY
Waldorf education is one of the largest and fastest growing educational movements in the world founded by Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Waldorf education focuses on developing the skills required for the unseen future - ability to think, solve problems, and most importantly commitment to pursuing one’s purpose in life.
This is done by introducing activities that are age appropriate at each stage of their development cycle and educates their mind, soul, and body. Waldorf philosophy believes that the learning in children happens by observing and imitating what they see in their surrounding environment. Hence it is imperative that the child is surrounded by love and warmth at home and at school.
At Waldorf schools, importance is given to the sensory development in children and hence children play with objects that are made from natural material like hand-made dolls, wooden toys, shells, and cloth that helps them develop a sense of touch. The focus is on a self-initiated play with simple materials which is an essential activity for young children.
Artistic activities such as story-telling, music, drawing, rhythmic games, and modeling are encouraged as they nurture imagination and creativity. Activities such as cooking, gardening, handwork, and domestic activity also form a part of their day to day routine as it highlights the importance of processes in life than any learning outcomes.
Here are some of the activities that children indulge in at a Waldorf Pre-School and their benefits.
Hand-Work
Activities such as beading, finger knitting, crochet, and cross-stitch develop fine motor skills, creativity, and right & left-brain coordination among children. Besides, children also develop a sense of confidence leading to an independent and self-sustaining lifestyle.
Free Play
When children indulge in non-instructional play, whether indoor or outdoor , they find creative things to do with the elements around them. It fosters imagination, builds physical resilience, strengthens mental health and teaches them to learn through observations and experience.
Wet-On-Wet Painting
The dreamy, fluid, mostly formless painting method invokes a sense of imagination in children. It also has a calming effect as the child gets engrossed in the rhythmic motions of the paintbrush moving on the wet paper.
Drawing
We believe art and creativity are at the centre of bringing joy and happiness to the learning process making it more participative. They learn effectively and enjoy the process experiencing a sense of accomplishment, and cultivating their will power.
Eating
Eating together mindfully helps children develop a sense of love and respect for food. It also teaches them reverence and gratitude towards their meals and bonds them well with each other.
Story-Telling
Children learn through stories. Stories keep them engaged in the learning process avoiding the need to teach and force-feed thoughts and ideas. It also ensures a deeper and stronger understanding of the concepts.