Somewhere over the
rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Our
rhythm
The basic elements that make up
a Steiner Playgroup can be listed and described quite specifically in terms of
guidelines for the environment, mood, routine, rituals, toys, songs stories and
such. However without an understanding
of “why “ things are done in a certain way, parents are unable to make the most
of their playgroup experience and “take home” with consciousness what playgroup
has to offer.
Kim Billington
Creating a Steiner Playgroup
The following information is
not intended to be accepted as a dogma, but are guidelines to assist us meet the
needs of our children based on Rudolf Steiner’s indications of early childhood
development.
We must be sensitive to those
children who often wish to be observers only.
That is fine! Participation must
only be by free choice without coercion.
Hand holding is also quite a difficult experience for some children. Inappropriate behaviour which is disrupting
the play of others or the story etc is best handled by the calm removal of the
child from the situation, do this with the knowledge that others in the group
have an open warmth of heart for you and your child!
Arriving at Playgroup
We meet at for a start.
This arrival window
©
assists with a timely and ordered transition into circle
time
©
leaves an opportunity for the family setting up for the day
to arrive around and have 15
minutes to prepare for the session and then come back outside to meet with
everyone
©
gives time to undertake day treasurer business and any
other business requirements including the choice of shared tasks for the
day
©
however most significantly these few minutes gives the
opportunity to centre and calm, leaving the hustle and bustle of daily life
behind. If we care to practice we may
even be able to meet with our children in a dreamy consciousness similar to the
one they live in!
Morning Circle
There are many treasures that
can be brought to the young child in the circle time in song, movement and
rhyme. The young child has an innate
musicality, love of movement and sense of rhythm – these qualities warrant
protection and nourishment. Shared
songs and interactive rhymes can create a very special intimacy between parent
and child.
Our circle songs are carefully
prepared to follow the rhythms of the seasons and the cycle of the year, they
are also appropriate for the ages of the children in our group. Songs and rhymes are presented in clear
voices, gestures, mood and humour. We
keep the written word to a minimum to avoid disruption to the children. Both adult and children alike learn by
repetition of the circle songs.
Bread Baking
Baking bread with children is
such a rich experience. In a gentle and
rhythmic way it fosters, manual circulation, fine muscle development as well as
attuned fine and gross motor co ordination.
Rudolf Steiner’s observations
led to the view that human beings have 12 senses which evolve through out a
person’s life. The physical senses of
touch, well-being, movement and balance are the realm of the young child. Our bread baking activity presents a lovely
opportunity to build on these senses.
A description of the kneading
process in the book Bread Baking with Children gives us a picture of what a rich
experience our morning bread baking activity can be:
The rhythmic motion of
kneading soon finds a harmony within the breath. Heart and lungs, hands become united in a
common motion. The warmth in the dough,
in your energetic kneading and of course from the oven all engenders a sense of
growing vitality.
Children warm to a task that is warming to
them.
The physical activity of
kneading the bread coupled with the chance for the children to engage with the
other children and adults in a communal preparation of food and song has the
potential to touch the soul of both children and adults alike.
Free Play
The time for indoor play is a
most important feature of Steiner Playgroups because this is a precious time for
the child to enter into true, free, creative play. Indoor play helps the child’s will forces to
find healthy channels. Care from adults
to keep their conversations mindful and not to crowd the children’s play space
would be beneficial.
Tidy up time is a beautiful
activity if approached with a feeling of devotion and reverence towards our
toys, space and children’s play. We have
a tidy up song, this is generally lead by one or two adults who slowly and
gently pack away,prior to morning tea., when done by all the parents, this
activity demonstrates to the children how adults can work together with joy, in
time the children will also find joy in the activity of tidying up
Parent Craft
Parents are invited to
undertake simple craft activities while the children enjoy creative indoor play.
This allows the children to play in the presence of their parent whilst
observing their industrious activity. Many craft activities may reflect the
season or may simply ensure the toys remain in good repair
Morning Tea
“Sharing food is the beginning of sharing life, laughter and love”
Veronika van Duin
Each family brings along a
piece of seasonal fruit or other wholesome treats and a spirit of sharing takes
place at our table. A candle is lit with
a little song, everyone around the table links hands and we share a blessing for
our food. There is generally a mood of
stillness, followed by the social coming together as a group. The sharing of food and conversation around
the table naturally creates a sense of belonging and community.
Outside Play
Outside play generally happens
rain, hail or shine (well maybe not hail).
It’s best if children are dressed appropriately for the weather. This play is quite often running from here to
there, climbing or playing in the sandpit.
Dangerous games and wresting are quietly diverted, however it is a myth
that only “gentle” play goes on in a Steiner Playgroup. We rejoice in the liveliness of our young and
use our intuition to guide our actions when responding to undesirable
behaviour.
Story and Home Time
Our Stories are chosen to
reflect the seasons and are told in cycles of three, it is believed that it
takes 3 times for the child to assimilate the story into their body, mind and
soul. Our stories are not read instead
they are presented by simple scenes, made of hand made characters and gifts from
nature.
The soul of a young child is
deeply nourished by stories and archetypal themes that are recounted in simple
everyday stories about the natural world
Following the peaceful pause
that almost always follows the story, a short goodbye song is sung and our bread
is handed out to take home.
And now it’s time for us to all go to our
own sweet homes…………………
Reference
included:
Dot Male - The
Parent and Child Group Handbook – A Steiner/Waldorf approach
Warren Lee
Cohen – Baking Bread with Children
Kim Billington
– Creating a Steiner Playgroup
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