Each day in the Rose and Sunflower Kindergartens follows a gentle rhythm to which the children look forward and which provides them with a sense of security. The day begins with circle time, during which the children sing and recite verses. Finger plays and rhymes inspire a love of language and develop children’s fine and gross motor skills. Creative free play follows and offers an opportunity for children to exercise healthy fantasy. Playthings are created from natural, simple materials such as wood, colorful silks, shells, and smooth stones. Mid-morning, children and teachers prepare a wholesome, organic snack such as whole-grain bread, vegetable soup, or oatmeal, which they eat at a table set with candles and cloth napkins.
Every day of the week includes an artistic activity such as watercolor painting, modeling with colored beeswax, drawing with crayons, or Eurythmy. Watercolor painting is done with a wet-on-wet technique. Beeswax is a sweet-smelling material that becomes pliable as a child’s hands warm it. Eurythmy is an art in which the child’s whole body is engaged, and speech and songs are expressed through creative movement. As the year progresses, older children engage in longer-term projects such as finger-knitting a belt, constructing a wooden boat, and sewing a doll. Process is emphasized over product.
Throughout the morning, children and teachers engage in purposeful work such as kneading bread, chopping vegetables for soup, and cleaning up. Practical work provides children with meaningful actions to imitate, and it is through imitation that a child learns. Waldorf teachers are mindful of the fact that everything they do will be imitated, and strive to be models for the children.
Rain or shine, the children play outdoors—in the sandbox, digging in the garden and enjoying games or sledding in the yard. Respect for the earth and our fellow human beings is emphasized. The morning draws to a close with the teacher telling a story or fairy tale. This is a time for listening and quiet reflection. Stories are told from memory, and special attention is paid to the words chosen and pronunciation, in an effort to engage the children’s imaginations fully.
The Kindergarten week is Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.. A three-day option is also available.