All responsible parents wish only the best for their children. Moms and dads learn different methods of development and upbringing, but when there is a need for adults to go to work, most kids go to municipal kindergartens. Someone public institutions of pre-school education scolds for outdated principles of education, while someone rejoices at the long-awaited place for the child. As the saying goes, there’s not much to choose from, but it’s necessary to arrange a baby somewhere for the time the parents work. In fact, there is a choice, just not everyone knows about the phenomenon of Waldorf kindergarten.
A new look at familiar things
Rudolf Steiner is considered the founder of anthroposophy - science and philosophy, which implies the introduction of some new principles in the upbringing of children and the life of people in general. In 1919, the first school was opened, which used new principles for teaching and educating students. This educational institution was located in the city of Walldorf (Germany). After 6 years, a follower of R. Steiner opened the first Waldorf kindergarten, named, despite its location in Stuttgart, in honor of the location of the first school. Today, more than 2500 educational and medical institutions that use the pedagogical principles of this methodology are successfully working around the world. In Russia, Waldorf pedagogy was discussed only in the 80s of the last century. Today in our country there are 25 schools and about 70 groups in kindergartens and other educational associations.
Basic principles
What is the difference between Waldorf kindergarten and any other? The concept of pedagogy has a number of special principles. The first and most important of them - each child is a person and has the right to education and upbringing. In the work, teachers should use an individual approach, based on the characteristics of each child, his age, interests and needs. Waldorf kindergarten is a place where education is based on the example of the educator and imitation of him. The authority of the teacher is also important at school, but from the middle of the general education program, the student’s personal responsibility and independence come to the fore. During the education and upbringing of the child, considerable emphasis is placed on the comprehensive development of personality, strengthening the body shell and maintaining health.
Unusual kindergarten
There is no rush familiar to many of us at the Waldorf educational institution. In the morning, the parents bring the child to kindergarten - and then the teacher comes out to meet the baby, ready to hug him and carry him into the group. The main pastime of children in such an institution is free games. At the same time, there are practically no prohibitions, each child can show his imagination and skills using all available toys and improvised items. Of course, if someone decides to do something unsafe and unacceptable, the teacher will immediately help the baby switch to a different type of activity. But all this will happen without strict prohibitions. The word “no” for children does not exist in principle in Waldorf pedagogy. Pupils are allowed to behave "as adults" and participate in the life of the group. In such kindergartens, children themselves prepare salads (using real sharp knives), participate in cleaning, make complex crafts - even the youngest sew and make electric garlands with their own hands.
Waldorf pedagogy in detail
The simpler the toys, the more active the fantasy. It is difficult to disagree with this statement. Games with dolls and designers include any kindergarten program. Waldorf kindergarten is a place where children will be offered colorful shreds, rag dolls with barely marked faces, wooden blocks. All toys are made from natural materials. Conducted in such pre-schools and traditional developmental classes - modeling, drawing, modeling from paper.
Are there any followers of R. Steiner in Moscow today?
To date, about 15 preschool educational institutions and individual groups positioned as Waldorf are registered in the capital of Russia. It is noteworthy that this is mainly about private and home kindergartens. But if you wish, you can find a municipal institution of preschool education, which uses these principles of education. How to get to Waldorf kindergarten? Moscow is a large city, but theoretically, a resident of any region can find an institution of pre-school education of the type of interest in transport accessibility from home. Such kindergartens are available in many areas of the city. You can get to the municipal institution in the general queue, and to the commercial one on a paid basis.
Waldorf kindergarten: parent reviews
Despite the novelty of these principles of education for our country, there are already many admirers of R. Steiner’s teachings among Russians. Waldorf gardens compare favorably with traditional Russian gardens. According to parents, an informal, family atmosphere reigns in them. It is customary to pick up children no later than 5 p.m., while the teachers emphasize the importance of the family in the upbringing and position themselves as adult friends of the pupils, not mentors. As for education and development, the greatest attention is paid not to cramming numbers and letters, but to aesthetic education. Many parents who choose this development option for their kids are happy that there are enough preschool institutions of this type in Moscow today. And it doesn’t matter which Waldorf kindergarten you choose - “The Way of the Grain”, “The Sun in the Basket” or DS No. 740. After just a few weeks of visiting, you will be able to evaluate the advantage and quality of education and training in a specific group and decide whether this technique is suitable to your family.