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Early Childhood

The young child learns through action and imitation, by seeing and doing. In a beautiful and nurturing environment, the teacher strives in all ways to be worthy of the child's imitation.

"If a child has been able in his play to give up his whole loving being to the world around him, he will be able, in the serious tasks of later life, to devote himself with confidence and power to the service of the world."

Rudolf Steiner

The Early Childhood classes provide a caring, home-like environment with plenty to do. Activities may include household tasks, cooking, baking, sewing, games, simple crafts, beeswax modeling, painting, drawing, singing, play acting, creating puppet shows, and creative play. Spacious classrooms allow for movement.

The play materials are natural and simple, designed to foster open-ended play. A length of silk might become a king’s cape, a tent for travelers, or a tablecloth for tea. A block of wood might become a boat, a loaf of bread, or a pirates's chest.

Rhythm is an important aspect of the young child’s daily experience. Every day follows the same child-centered rhythm, but has its own specific task and snack. The predictable unfolding of the day brings security to the young child; the small differences help them understand the days of the week. A yearly rhythm of festivals and holidays provides meaningful ways to come together as a community to mark the year's turning and the passage of time.

Reading, math, science, and language arts are addressed through the children's work and play activities. Seasonal stories, folk tales from around the world, and neighborhood walks model cooperation, communication, and respect. Composting, recycling, and gardening encourage caring stewardship for earth's resources.

Fairy and folk tales provide strong archetypes for the child’s imagination and introduce rich language, elements of suspense, and successful resolution, reminding the child that all is good in their world.

Setting the table, measuring flour for a bread recipe, counting up cups of water for friends, and learning how to evenly share a plate of crackers are concrete uses of math. Blocks lend themselves to early physics experiments, while songs, singing games, and water play are other hands on experiences that extend math and physics through joyful learning.

The Early Childhood programs of Waldorf School of New Orleans are accredited nationally and internationally by Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) and International Association of Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education (IASWECE).

  • a young boy is squeezing an orange into a green cup
  • a boy wearing a blue hat with the word little on it
  • two young boys are playing with wooden blocks on the floor .
  • a group of children are holding hands in a circle and smiling .
  • a group of children are standing in a circle with their hands in the air .
  • dollies sitting
  • a group of children are playing in a sandbox .
  • the roof of a red brick building with a white trim and a tree in the foreground .
  • two little girls are playing in a mud kitchen .
  • a group of people are walking in a park with a green wagon
  • a wooden rocking horse is sitting in the middle of a garden
  • three children are playing with wooden blocks on the floor .

What a typical day looks like

  • 8:30 AM
    Outdoor play and projects, gardening, neighborhood walks
  • 9:30 AM
    Snack preparation (bread making, soup making)
  • 10:00 AM
    Snack
  • 10:30 AM
    Self-care
  • 10:45 AM
    Circle
  • 11:00 AM
    Indoor play and projects
  • 12:00 PM
    Story time, puppets, drama
  • 12:15 PM
    Lunch
  • 1:00 PM
    Morning program ends; Siesta program begins
  • 3:00 PM
    Siesta program ends; Aftercare available until 5:00