abandon and freedom of imagination. Play is the work of the child. It is through movement and play that children sense fully into their bodies, and keenly into the pictures of the mind. Skipping, climbing, jumping and outside play (no matter what the weather) is an integral part of the rhythm of the day in our Early Childhood classrooms. Splashing through puddles, rolling down grassy hills, and swinging are some of the other ways that children start to know their bodies and explore the world around them. Here is what one parent had to say after visiting our classrooms for the first time: “I walked into the Kindergarten classroom, and was completely taken by the beauty. Richly coloured velvet robes hung on a coat rack for playing dress up, and beside it a basket of silk scarves and knit belts. A simple, yet finely handcrafted wooden kitchen was set up for play with miniature wooden cups, plates, and spoons. We were still familiarizing ourselves with what Waldorf education was about, but I knew without a doubt that this warm hued classroom environment, rich with textures, natural materials and void of plastic, prints and stark institutional decor, was where my precious children would get their start in school. What a loving start it has been.” The young children at Sunrise Waldorf School also immerse themselves in activities that are reflective and imitative of the adults that are caring for them. Kneading and baking dough for bread, setting and clearing the table for snack, folding and
Image Cara Bjornson
Early Childhood Education in the Waldorf School
H
ave you ever walked into a room and felt yourself exhale? Have you ever experienced a song or a story that continued to unfold in your mind for several days? Have you ever played in the rain and felt the drops on your skin? As adults, when we walk into the Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms in a Waldorf School, these are some of the sensations that we notice. A feeling of peace, a sense of wonder and a remembering about what childhood is all about... playing. Sunrise Waldorf School Early Childhood Education classrooms are revered for their simplicity, warmth, and the feeling of coming home. From the soft woolen dolls, to the colourful silks, from the blocks, stones, shells and flowers, to the smell of bread baking and oatmeal cooking, our Early Childhood classrooms are brimming with opportunities to play with total
Waldorf Early Years An evening with Waldorf Kindergarten Teachers Dorota Ignaszewska and Mima Djordjevic
THURSDAY, APRIL 28th 7Pm Early social 8-9 pm Lecture Hosted by the Sunrise Waldorf School Parents Association. All are welcome. Zoom link available by request please contact: swpa@sunrisewaldorfschool.org
2148 Lakeside Road, Duncan sunrisewaldorfschool.org Offering INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENTS AND LESSONS since 2014, including work in developmental and therapeutic areas for children who are STRUGGLING TO LEARN TO READ.
KATE WOODLAND, BEd BC Certified Teacher readnow180@gmail.com stacking cloths and napkins. Moving slowly and speaking mindfully, the teachers offer a soft voice and a safe loving environment. Strong rhythms and repetition allow the children to sink deeply into their play. Our teachers bring emphasis to the rhythms of the day, the week, and seasons of the year, all of which create the foundation for the young child to feel safe and free to explore. In an ever changing and fast paced world, the Waldorf Preschool
and Kindergartens are a place where childhood is preserved and held with love. Interested in learning more about Waldorf Early Childhood Education? The Sunrise Waldorf Parent Association is hosting an enriching experience presented by Kindergarten teachers Dorota Ignaszewska and Mima Djordjevic on Thursday, April 28 from 8-9pm. Please email swpa@ sunrisewaldorfschool.org for the Zoom link to attend.
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