Curriculum for the Preschool Years
Our literacy-rich, play-based early childhood program provides children the opportunity to play and work and explore their world in an unhurried environment. The main emphasis is placed on developing imagination and creative thinking skills, rather than early exposure to academic content.
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Daily circle time includes movement, poetry and singing.
- Teachers tell nature stories and folk and fairy tales from around the world.
- Children experience artistic activities such as watercolor painting, drawing, beeswax modeling, music and movement.
- Other activities may include gardening, woodworking, food preparation and sewing.
- Through the example of the teacher, the students develop social skills and reverence for the world around them.
Related Articles
The Vital Role of Play in Early Childhood Education - article by Joan Almon
*UPDATED LINK*
What Are the Needs of Five Year Olds?
Early Childhood Program at Portland Waldorf School
From Playing to Thinking: How the Kindergarten Provides a Foundation for
Scientific Understanding - article by Eugene Schwartz
The Education of the Child in the Light of Anthroposophy by Rudolf Steiner
- essential reading
The Waldorf method emphasizes imaginative play, art and creative activities, music, storytelling, authentic handwork, and honoring the rhythms of the seasons and of life. The preschool years are recognized to be a special time in the development of the child.
The lesson plan pages are set up with the following eight subjects:
Music & Movement,
Art,
Nature,
Cooking,
Play,
Handwork,
Helping,
and
Stories.
Each six-week unit includes 15 essential stories in keeping with the theme, specific Art, Nature, and Handwork activities for each week, and additional suggestions for Music & Movement and Play materials.
These units are available online at no charge -
See Unit Topics
Note: I refer to lots of books in my units because I use each unit as an opportunity to buy more Waldorf teaching and parenting books and to build up my picture book library. I think it's better to have as many primary sources as possible. Then, instead of the curriculum becoming obsolete after preschool and up for sale on eBay, you still have materials you can refer to and use for first grade, second grade, and so on.
The Waldorf method emphasizes imaginative play, art and creative activities, music, storytelling, authentic handwork, and honoring the rhythms of the seasons and of life. The preschool years are recognized to be a special time in the development of the child.
The idea for this newsletter came about when my husband was complaining that he had no idea what to do with our kids on the weekends. He suggested I put together some activities that could be used by non-homeschooling parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc. The newsletter is written in a way that is consistent with the Waldorf method but does not assume prior experience.
These activities are intended for ages 3 - 5.
Each weekly installment contains ONE DOZEN suggestions for the upcoming Saturday. You can expect to see ideas such as (but not limited to) the following:
- opening verse
- songs & music activities
- recommended books
- games
- art activities
- nature activities
- handwork & gift making ideas
- closing verse
Use the weekly newsletter topics as a mini-unit, perfect for youth groups, summer camps, day care, etc. This is a fun, easy, and economical way to build up a portfolio of new ideas or to learn more about the Waldorf approach to learning.
Back issues of the newsletter are available with your membership -
See Newsletter Topics
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