charming sweetness
front room
this is where the sun spends four hours a day, 4 days a week and she loves it! it is one of many waldorf kindergartens in this area, the system or the steiner school of thought was practically born right in our back yard.
all the children cook mid morining snack together everyday
this region of germany is well known for waldorf education, homeopathic medicine, and anthroposophical way of life. it made it easy to consider as a system of education for our children. after researching and studying the system, we discovered that it is not flawless. depending on how you look at things, it may have one or two drawbacks as in any other system.
play room
however, the insights into human development provided by steiner and the gentle approach to the child and his or her learning process made the decision very easy. it is a system that fosters creativity balancing artistic, academic, and practical work to educate the the child, hand, heart, and mind.
doll house, i found out this is the sun’s favorite
as parents, we are (voluntary) members of the regional organization that manages the kindergarten and all waldorf schools in our area. they depend on voluntary help to support the schools. we make craft items for the herbst markt (fall market), weihnachts markt (christmas market), bake for sales, and other extra things like cleaning duty. over the weekend it was our family’s turn to clean the kindergarten. well, this time i did it and tall, dark, and handsome stayed home with the babies. maybe the next time he will do it which will be in 21 weeks or after the next 21 families have had their turn.
creativity center
i was not thrilled to have cleaning duty but i have to say the different shades of yellow space with warm wood adorned with decorations handmade by the children…… ahhhhhhhhh……… it truly is a delightful, peacful place to be.
jonah http://www.maluhia.biz
October 15th, 2007 at 3:16 pmhi elsa, the room feels so warm and inviting. i love all the wooden furniture and the yellow paint too.
rochambeau http://rochambeau.typepad.com
October 16th, 2007 at 12:41 pmDear Friend,
You were just at my site, while I am at yours.
Your daughters school is so bright and cheerful. It is not all goopy with toys
I had never heard of Anthroposophical way of life or Mr. Steiner before today. Thank you for enlightening me. Some of the way you described it sounds like the Montissori method.
It’s cool that they are already helping make snacks to eat. It’s never too young to learn anything. Children like to learn and not be board.
Good for you for helping out at the school too.
Can’t wait to see your costume!
rochambeau http://rochambeau.typepad.com
October 17th, 2007 at 12:46 pmDear Elsa,
Have you ever met Shin at a mermaids blog in London?
If not let me introduce you know.http://amermaidsblog.blogspot.com/
somepinkflowers http://somepinkflowers.typepad.com/
October 17th, 2007 at 1:11 pmoohohoh…
loverly rooms.
they make ME want to play!
like rochambeau,
i had not known of this way of study.
very interesting and so refreshing to not see tons
of commercial propaganda cluttering up the place…
things like sponge bob
and walt disney!
what a wonderful start to learning!
good for you all!
hope you will share more
of this sweet looking place.
oh,
and yes,
you should pop over and meet shin!
i think you both have babies about the same age
and
shin is so creative…
she has multiple blogs and etsy!
[ actually, i am thinking you might
already know her through my blog,
let me know ]
tinker http://tinkerart.typepad.com/tinker_art
October 18th, 2007 at 1:19 amThough I’d read a little bit about Steiner long ago - it was mostly in the context of his gardening theories. What little I’d read about Waldorf schools did make their system of education sound rather appealing, but I hadn’t actually seen a Waldorf classroom, till your photos today - what a cheery and bright place to learn in! No wonder your Sun finds them a happy place to be. Thank you for the links - you’ve rekindled my interest in Steiner’s theories. More things to lose myself in…
Your photos are lovely, btw!
Melanie http://www.enseignedegersaint.typepad.fr
October 19th, 2007 at 3:50 pmSo charming …so lovely
eb http://www.elizabethbunsen.typepad.com
October 20th, 2007 at 11:04 pmwhat a beautiful school - and so fortunate to have your children there - we have Waldorf schools here as well and were it not for the fabulous local public school I would have Boone there in a minute - studied some Steiner along with my Aura-Soma - very interesting and as you say - gentle - and balanced with a good emphasis on creativity and personal/individual growth and learning styles… much of great interest in general with Steiner - we have “Steiner groups” here and I have seen some quite amazing art by the man himself in the home of my former teacher - Elsa - you are SO interesting - such fun seeing what you lean towards…
BIGLOVE to you and your cosmos…
xox - eb.
stephanie http://rodrigvitzstyle.typepad.com
October 21st, 2007 at 9:05 pmOh Elsa,
What a lovely school indeed….the sun radiates around the spaces and I can just see your sun sitting at the table enjoying treats and artwork!
Tess attended a pre-school that was a mix of all the best of Waldorf and Montissori and other create things thrown in by her amazing teacher…Apply Alley it was called and your description of this lovely school just brought back a rush of memories…
thank you!!!
x….x
tongue in cheek http://www.willows95988.typepad.com
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 amWow! How fortunate your child is to be able to go to a WALDORF school, it my opinion it is a wonderful enviorment to learn and grow.
Gypsy http://gypsy.chattablogs.com/
October 24th, 2007 at 1:06 pmElsa, How awesome! I am a big fan of Waldorf and have been researching all sorts of things like that and home schooling etc. We’re going to be moving to Atlanta in January (unless something changes) and I checked and they have a Waldorf school there with a cool toddler program. So I’m going to go check it out. Thanks for sharing! Your beautiful pictures and words are always inspiring:)