Early Childhood Education

After an extended winter break I'm resuming my Waldorf inspired school this week.  To continue my own education I've been reading a wide variety of materials.  I recently came across the following article by Susan Howard of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America which I found both informative and inspirational.  I especially appreciated the reminder that they key ingredients of Waldorf early childhood education are:

 love and awareness/presence. 

 Personalized Baby Blanket

Essentials of Waldorf Early Childhood Education

 by Susan Howard

Is there a Waldorf early childhood “curriculum?” Are there specific activities — perhaps puppet plays or watercolor painting, for example-that are required in a Waldorf program? Are there certain materials and furnishings-lazured, soft-colored walls, handmade playthings, natural materials, beeswax crayons—that are essential ingredients of a Waldorf setting? What is it that makes Waldorf early childhood education “Waldorf?” Rudolf Steiner spoke on a number of occasions about the essentials of education and of early childhood education. His words shed light on what he considered fundamental …
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Windfall Hand Felted Gnomes

The Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America or WECAN

website has other great articles as well resources for parents and teachers.  In addition to online resources like WECAN, I've gained lots of great Waldorf inspired ideas for my classroom and home from the team of  Waldorf on Etsy artists who all take great care in their work. 

Wool Felt Horse

By bringing hand made quality playthings into our homes and classrooms we foster our children's imagination while at the same time supporting and encouraging artists and craftsmen to continue to create these eco-friendly, kid friendly creations. 

Thank you!