your child's development

WHAT WILL WE DO?
At the heart of Waldorf early childhood education is the value of quality over quantity, wonder over explanation, rhythm over busyness, free creative play over academic strategies, self-directed productivity over production for possession, purpose over consumption. At CSWS, your early childhood teachers are committed to offering activities that will foster the health and well being of your children. The crafts we make are made from materials that show consideration of the earth, including the people that we share it with. To this end natural, biodegradable and socially conscious materials that are non-toxic and non food based will be our creative tools. Attached you will find a compilation of ideas that promote healthy learning and connection.

HOW WILL WE DO IT?
A critical consideration while doing activities with children is that they are able to do them themselves. You can present the activity as a story or imaginative picture (examples are given for each of the following activities). Then ask your child how they might create the story/word picture you’ve painted. For example, “What will we need to build our _____?” “Yes, that’s it.” “OK, go and get it.” “And what will we need next?” “OK, try it.” If a step is missed, chances are the child will discover it but if not you can continue with leading questions or repeating parts of the story, rather than explanations. In this way the child is actively learning rather than passively receiving information. Try not to have too much set up for them already, let them find the materials themselves. Ask your teacher if you need ideas.