I went to Stockholm this
past weekend, specifically to Bromma to continue my Waldorf preschool teacher
education. I have been studying for over two years time now and I am halfway to
becoming a certified Waldorf preschool teacher (the pictures below are from
creations we made this weekend).
Easter treats. A Scandinavian
tradition. All items made of wool.
I have worked within the
Waldorf preschool for a couple of years, and have had children that attended
for a short while. I have learned that although the schools may not run so
smoothly as a picky parent would want, the heart of Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf
preschool concept is beautiful and so loving. So, I decided I must become a
Waldorf teacher. Having 5 boys of my own in all ages ranging from 17 to 4, I
understand more and more that it truly is a sacred and amazing blessing to be a
mother AND caretaker. Nothing gives me more joy.
At the very heart of a true
Waldorf school teacher, is the understanding how sublime and sacred the trust
and privilege families and parents bestowed upon [us] when we are asked to care
for their children, and I pray that these families and parents in turn have the
ability and peace to know that their children is a most beloved treasure. A
treasure not all can have, and that some have lost.
Within Waldorf, one must
provide a true, practical and loving place for a child to be nurtured. Create a
place in this world where the world makes sense. A place where the child can
recognize itself each and every day. A place where the child can feel that the
world is 'good'. To accomplish this very difficult task one needs to be loving,
patient, willing to listen more than speaking, work on self-improvement and
enjoy the work with children.
A spring fairy.
Rudolf Steiner explains in
his book 'the child's upbringing', that any person around our children must be
of moral thoughts and actions; that is a steadfast and true person; that practice
clear actions of goodness and ability, to help a child grow up feeling safe,
getting to know itself and it's surroundings in a healthy way, and let them be
in a world that is good.
The way to accomplish this
is to really enjoy working with ALL aspects of children. Easy and/or tough,
while following the guidelines above. The power of children is their immediate strength
and joy they display while copying those around them. Manners, actions, speech
and behaviors, instantly copied into play. Think then, how important isn't it
that they are all surrounded by loving and practical people.
Watercolor. A seed in the ground.
Watercolor. A winter landscape.
I love the practical and
deep understanding Waldorf philosophy has of children. How one can clearly see
that our bodies were meant to do work, and how one can stimulate ones intellect
with activities that does not include 'hitting the books'. How learning takes place in all moments throughout the day when children mimic people in their surroundings and by song, rhyme, rhythm, chores, play and activities that
ask for use of both sides of the body at the same time. To also be taught to use ones
innate senses as a method of learning. Waldorf makes room and lends itself to further allow ALL
unique children and grown-ups to learn. Here one has
many tools to set the stage for understandable, tangible, and wise
learning. One carries an awareness of how mature each child really is and understand that these small people have very capable hands and strong resolves.
I painted this in my
'watercolor diary'. A course project with the topic '4 seasons'
