Why Waldorf kindergarten?: A parent’s reflection (part-2)

Penned by Maulishree Jhawer, Nutritionist by profession and a happy Waldorf parent by heart

When our child was about two years old, as an anxious mother I stepped out to look for a kindergarten most appropriate for him. I had formulated an image of it in the mind through my understanding and knowledge. More precisely, the spiritual knowledge acquired in the past few years. We become what we absorb from the environment around. It is a universal law known to many. And that formed one of the basic principles behind my search too.

I could minimally connect with the places visited, as there was something else that my heart yearned for. It looked for a place which made us feel rooted.A place which supported the child with a basic healthy routine.A place where love was the language. A place which was led by conscious loving adults. A place which valued our ancient wisdom and culture. An education or kindergarten that helped retain the child’s purity and innocence and accepted him wholeheartedly.

That is when we met with the “Waldorf pedagogy”. An age old well researched education system given by the very enlightened Rudolf Steiner. We researched in depth and read further on. Our love for this wonderful education grew with each passing day only to realise that this was exactly the kind of exposure we wanted to giveour child, in his journey towards the outside world. A school which was like a “home away from home”.

That was the day and today, it’s been over a year, the journey has been fulfilling in every sense.

Why Waldorf Education?

My views and experience…

For a balanced life one needs to strengthen primarily five capacities. Physical development, intellectual growth, social connections, emotional strength and spiritual wisdom.The last one being of utmost importance to me. The Waldorf kindergartens through their ideology predominantly nurture children emotionally and spiritually. The kindergarten space is created to be aesthetically beautiful with minimal stimulation. The child at a very slow pace is allowed to evolve and meet the beauty of life.  

Children are born perfect with all the innate wisdom and powers. In their early years they still remain in the spiritual realms and are angelic by nature. They are most soul conscious and least body or role conscious. The Waldorf method helps them stay close to their true spiritual self and assists to nurture their inner capacities at every step. A conducive environment, non-judgemental space makes them use their intellectual abilities effectively.

No reading and writing till the age of seven is the prime feature of the education. Children engage in gardening, cooking, music, rhythmic movements, free play, handwork, painting, puppetry, stories and sharing meals. Every aspect of the kindergarten helps children experience simplicity, contentment, cooperation, compassion, love, humility. The values are lived daily. When we enable the soul to experience its true self, true joy is experienced. And at the end of the day this is how we want our children to be. Happy, healthy and internally satisfied.

The accuracy with which the school works, often gives me goose bumps. It’s amazing to see the system functioning with so much uniformity all across the nation only and only for the benefit of children.

Daily rhythm and a basic routine in a child’s life are of immense importance. Timely nutritious meals, rest times, sufficient outdoor play, skilful work at the school encourages disciplined and holistic way of living.

Waldorf education is about educating not only the head and heart but also the hands.Handwork is one of the key features of the curriculum. It has always inspired me. Handwork is synonym to hard work, skill, love, care, gratitude precision, concentration, coordination, accomplishment and logical thinking. It has literally vanished from our homes with technology taking over.

Children play with handmade toys woven by the teachers. While they engage in their play, the teacher engages in handwork singing along melodious Waldorf songs most soothing to hear. Children are made to do beading, knitting and much more. Its practice helps them awaken their creative powers which find a fruitful application in later life and work.

Waldorf kindergartens and schools promote tech-free education. An early exposure to technology takes the child away from his imaginative, creative and peaceful self. Waldorf integrates the use of arts, rhythmic movements along with the traditional chalk board medium in their academic endeavours. I thoroughly believe that a slow age appropriate transition to academics “the artistic way”instils keenness, interest and love for learning along with a lot of confidence.

All in all the education aims to build responsible and self-reliant teens and adults by giving the young children a strong foundation and a worthwhile exposure over a fancy and glorified one.

Letting children be the way they want to be and truly respecting them for what they aspire to be is the essence of it!!