WALDORF METHODOLOGY
Waldorf technique is fully focused on the personality of each child. The basic principle of the presented pedagogy is the absence of strict methods and specially programmed classes. Such a program implies the usual life of a baby in a warm family climate, which is most favorable for active comprehensive development.
Waldorf Method
The presented methodology is directed against early childhood education. After all, such intellectual development negatively affects a wonderful period in the life of every baby, which is called childhood. This system helps to familiarize the child with creativity, folk culture, spiritual development and full education in the family circle.
HISTORY OF CREATING A METHOD
The Waldorf method of child development was developed by the famous German philosopher Rudolf Steiner. In 1907, the teacher released his book entitled Education of the Child, in which he was able to fully reveal the basic principles of practical training.
In 1919, the philosopher opened his own school. Over time, Steiner also opens a kindergarten designed for children whose parents work at the Waldorf-Astoria tobacco factory, which is located in Stuttgart (Germany). The name of the factory became the basis for the future name of the Steiner methodology.
Waldorf Method
Over time, this approach to teaching children has borne fruit. Thanks to the advantages of the developed program, similar schools and kindergartens began to open around the world, first a wave swept the cities of Germany, and then the USA, Switzerland, Great Britain, Norway, Hungary, Austria and other countries.
Today, around 800 schools and 2000 kindergartens operate around the world, where this technique is actively practiced. The first Waldorf schools in Russia were opened only in the 1990s.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE METHOD
Steiner has his own special look at the philosophy of parenting. He was of the opinion that childhood is a unique period in the life of every baby, so the child should stay small as long as possible. From this follows the main task of parents and teachers to ensure that the child can enjoy their age.
The presented system is aimed at respecting such an important period as childhood. The program works on the principle of non-advancing, which allows the baby to develop at a normal pace.
The main goal of this pedagogy is to actively develop the natural abilities of children and strengthen their faith in their strengths and capabilities. That is why the first place in these schools is not the acquisition of knowledge, but competent education.
Waldorf Method
One of the main postulates in the work is considered to be the development of folk culture and popular types of artistic activity.
For this theory, it is important to observe the complete harmony of soul and body. Simply put, the child is seen as a holistic and harmoniously developed personality, in which they note the ideal balance of all necessary manifestations of emotional, spiritual, social, physical and intellectual.
WALDORF SYSTEM FEATURES
Teaching children according to the developed Steiner methodology differs in some features that teachers in schools and kindergartens take into account.
Work with preschool children. In such kindergartens, all children are divided into groups according to the age of 3 to 7 years. As a result, all children live in one large family, where little fidgets can watch the older group, and the older ones help look after the younger ones. As a rule, up to 20 people study in each group.
Proper organization of free space. The philosopher was sure that the individuality of the child is actively developing only if nothing interferes with its development. Therefore, the room should have a sufficient number of toys, all kinds of decorative elements and fascinating pieces of furniture that may interest the baby. The presence of a TV and computers in kindergarten and school is also commonplace. The child has the opportunity to independently choose what he is currently doing.
The right toys. Adherents of the Waldorf theory do not use toys made from materials such as plastic, and also refuse mechanical and electronic products. They use simpler structures made from natural and environmentally friendly materials. A modern toy should not dictate the game conditions to the child, but can easily hint at its functionality so that the baby can use it variably in the game process.
Imitation. Until the age of 7, boys and girls learn the world not by a rational way, but by imitation. Thus, the baby, like a sponge, absorbs everything that surrounds him: parents, friends, educators, food, toys.
Exciting games. This is the main part of the Waldorf kindergartens, in which games are allocated the greatest amount of time compared to the teaching methods in standard kindergartens and schools.
