The Waldorf method offers a holistic environment for learning that nourishes the child on all levels – cognitive, intellectual, emotional and social.

A Waldorf Kindergarten is an extension of a mother’s womb. It provides warmth, safety and security to the child. The technology free, sensory rich, thoughtfully planned space with soothing colours adds to the simplicity with which the teacher cares for the outer and inner environment which surrounds the child.

Each child is given the opportunity to blossom at their own pace. Such a nourishing environment prepares the child for life and makes education health-giving.

Beyond Academics

According to Steiner, the initial seven years in a child’s life are crucial to his or her overall well-being, because during this time children like sponges, absorbing everything from their environment. As young children try to find their way in the world, they are constantly learning, and imitation is the innate way for them to do so.

The work done in a kindergarten has a purpose, and it is meaningful in our day-to-day life. Children learn through imitation and thus finally by doing. The inner attitude of the teachers/educators plays a vital role in creating the environment for the young child to learn through imitation and to develop in a healthy way.

Seeing the enthusiasm, interest, reverence and the calm manner with which the teacher is doing her work creates a joyful, inspiring environment in which children are motivated to do things with their hands.

Each teacher has an in-depth understanding of every child’s developmental needs, which creates the mood of warmth, care and love. They strive to be mindful with their gestures and speech, making them worthy of imitation.

Teachers work together with parents to support a child’s growth. This way the true being of an individual is nurtured and protected, so the child flourishes in all aspects of development.

Daily Waldorf activities nurtured their senses

Kindergarten children are in the “here and now”, they learn from doing and not from abstract concepts. Through the week, the kindergarten children are busy cooking, cleaning, scrubbing, gardening – sowing, harvesting and feasting. Their hands are busy mending, sewing, braiding and weaving threads & ropes that they need.

The whole curriculum is based on doing meaningful, purposeful work. Children at times prepare their own colours for painting, they dye their play cloth – this instills in them a sense of belonging, builds confidence and nurtures their senses.

Festivals and celebrations

Children are gently made aware of life, culture and season. seasonal/festival songs are sung, traditional delicacies are prepared, flower torans, diyas, colorful rangolis are made to connect the child to the real essence of the festival, culture and traditional practices or onset of different seasons. The aroma of cakes, cookies and kulkuls fills the kindergarten during Christmas, preparing goodies in Diwali and creating flower rangolis in Onam.

This culminates into celebrations by having the entire parent community set in the real mood of that festival – giving the holistic experience of harmony and togetherness.

Nature Walks

Children at Rainbow Bridge spent a lot of time outdoors through regular nature walks to parks, flamingo sightings, rock garden, hikes where children were free to explore their surroundings, which fostered their senses and creativity. They prepared small gifts for their friends using treasures like stones, pebbles, feathers, that they collected during their nature walks.

This keeps their sense of wonder, feeling of joy continuously alive through the real deep interest that the teacher takes in the mundane everyday tasks that she undertakes with much love every single day.