Shining Spiral

SIWKA second level kindergarten training

SS

Jun 13, 2024By Shining Spiral Ahmedabad

To become a Waldorf teacher requires inner work and self-transformation. 
To become a Waldorf teacher requires special training

Training is an important part of the journey of becoming a Waldorf teacher. Continuous training helps our teachers gain insights in early childhood in a 'whole' manner.  These trainings help fill the enormous gaps existing in understanding a child in our current education system.


Kindergarten teachers who have completed their first level training and also the ones who have been working with children for many years (even the ones who have been there in the kindergarten for more than a decade) take up the second level training. Second level Kindergarten training, a 6 day programme, was held at Bangalore in April-May 2024. it was organised by SIWKA (Sadhana Indian Waldorf Kindergarten Association) . It was a rich experience for our teachers.

Captured in a metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia primary school, this photograph depicts a typical classroom scene, where an audience of school children were seated on the floor before a teacher at the front of the room, who was reading an illustrated storybook, during one of the scheduled classroom sessions. Assisting the instructor were two female students to her left, and a male student on her right, who was holding up the book, while the seated classmates were raising their hands to answer questions related to the story just read.

The topics covered during this training programme were:
Massages effective for children-- Hands are healing tools, as teachers we understood using them in our classrooms in an effective manner.
Sleep-- as an awakening process-- Sleep is an important aspect of a child's routine. Understanding the impact of healthy sleep on a child's growth was enlightening.
Embryology-- Understanding children before they arrive, helps teachers understand the needs of a child better.
Nutrition-- Nutrition is an important aspect of childhood, teachers got to understand nutrition as per the individual need of a child.
Fevers and Vaccination-- Teachers got a better insight into the topics that will help deal with unforeseen situations in the classrooms, better.
Finger games and Play-- Finger and sensory games help connect a teacher with the child and also help the children settle down in the classrooms.
Clay (Terracotta) Modelling-- This was a therapeutic as well as educational session for the teachers

Captured in a metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia primary school, seated amongst his classmates, this photograph depicts a young African-American schoolboy who was in the process of drawing with a pencil on a piece of white paper. Note that the student was focused on a drawing book that referenced fantasy flying planes, while intent on creating his artwork, seemingly oblivious to all the classroom goings-on that surrounded him. It is important to know that objects, including pencils, crayons, paper, etc., are known as fomites, and can act as transmitters of illnesses.


The faculty included practising anthroposophic doctors and experienced Waldorf mentors. To be able to renew ourselves as teachers, and bring key elements of Waldorf Education into our work with our students were the goals of this programme.

Captured in a metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia primary school, seated amongst his classmates, this photograph depicts a young African-American schoolboy who was in the process of drawing with a pencil on a piece of white paper. Note that the student was focused on a drawing book that referenced fantasy flying planes, while intent on creating his artwork, seemingly oblivious to all the classroom goings-on that surrounded him. It is important to know that objects, including pencils, crayons, paper, etc., are known as fomites, and can act as transmitters of illnesses.