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Whole Child Nurture Centre
Infant care and childcare centre
[Waldorf-Inspired programs-curriculum for children 2 to 6 Years] |
A Waldorf kindergarten is an extension of the family experience, an intermediary step for
the child between the home and formal schooling. The goal is to provide a warm, calm,
secure, aesthetic environment in which the imagination and creativity of the child will
flourish. The quality of the physical environment of a Waldorf kindergarten is integral to
its goals for the children. The feeling of warmth and security is largely created by using
only natural materials: woods, cotton, wool in the construction of the decor and toys. The
curtains transmit a warm glow into the room. Ideally, the walls and floor of the room are
of natural wood. In this warm environment are placed toys which the children can use to
imitate and transform the activities that belong to everyday adult life. |
In one corner stands a wooden scale and baskets for children to pretend they are grocery
shopping; a pile of timber stands ready to be constructed into a playhouse, a boat, or a
train; a rocking horse invites a child to become a rider; homemade dolls lie in wooden
cradles surrounded by wooden frames and cloths the children can use to create a pretend
family and play house. Pinecones and flowers are artistically dispersed. Lovely watercolors
adorn the walls. |
The effect of this beautiful arrangement of decorations and toys is the feeling of stepping
out of the business and clutter of modem life into a sanctuary where one can breathe easily,
relax, and play according to the impulses of one's heart. |
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