My First Waldorf Experience, Im in Love!

[canadianhippie]

I attended my local waldorf school's 25th annual advent fair today, i have never seen or been apart of anything waldorf before.

I absolutely loved it. It is so different than public school in lovely ways. I first noticed the grounds, Its outside of town surrounded by fields and clean air. The fences arent 6 feet metal ones, but low to the ground wooded farm fences. There was a small hill where children were tobagging, right on the property. Wooden play structures, ropes, a campfire and wooden lean-to's. 

The buildings reminded me of a pioneer village, even a wood stove in the kindergarden/ grade 1 building, how amazing is that. Teaching safety and giving trust to the young children, that would never happen in a public school, the staff and parents would be terrified. 

His craft was a candle holder made of a small cut branch that he could decorate with feathers, acorns, wood beads, moss, wood shavings, pinecones, ohh it was a dream come true! Finally a place that gives him all natural materials! Just beautiful 

He also could do candle dipping outside beside the campfire where there was hot chocolate and make your own bannock bread. He dipped a pinecone and it smells so good. 

I also purchased a adorable waldorf gnome, perhaps more for me than my son lol just like one from etsy, Im so happy i finally have a waldorf doll :)

The parents were lovely, and i think very curious about the young mother with full makeup and a mixed baby, yes we are originally from the city lol But I met a few moms who introduced themselves and spoke about the school, didnt meet up with fellow mdc mama Bababa, im sure you were there mama, next time !

I went with my mother, who doesnt share the exact same philosophies so her nose was a bit high up for my liking, wish I was by myself but oh well.

Got a glimpse of the storytelling aspect as well, there was a room decorated in low lights and rope lighting, walls covered in fabric and the floor covered in evergreens and leaves. A small baby pool was lit and two older students dressed up. 1 said  about how a sorcereur had cast a spell on the woodland faerie and she is trapped here unless she makes a necklace of dewdrops, can you help her find a dewdrop? " And so my LO searched for a bead that was in a lit tree stump and sent it to her in a woven basket over the water and she sent back a colourful shell. So nice!

I also noticed how there was a group of older children tobagging, but all together, holding on to each other, not bickering or fighting but working together. The walls werent decorated with all kinds of bright laminated words, letters, numbers etc. but it was still warm and inviting, not sterile and dull like a school. 

I stil have plenty more questions but for a first impression, I loved it, its like a school made for my beliefs 

[MommyKelly]

We just got home from our local Waldorf schools Winter Faire. We made the same candle holders! I am glad you had such a wonderful time. I have only been on our local campus, but they sound similar. There is something so magical in natural simple beauty :)

[WednesdayO]

I'm happy to hear you had a lovely experience! I fell in love with our Waldorf school's website before we ever moved back to this state. lol Then when we finally visited, I knew it was the perfect place for DD. As an early childhood professional, the dichotomy between Waldorf and more so-called mainstream philosophies really didn't compete to sway me!

[Gunter]

The local Holiday Faire is one of our family's favorite days!  It was just this Saturday and we had a fabulous time!!!

[canadianhippie]

there is definitely something whimsical and calming about a Waldorf environment that I loved too MommyKelly, I wish I had made a candleholder too lol LO's is on the mantel 

Im in college for early childhood WednesdayO, and after all we learned about healthy, nurturing environments, the mannerisms in which children are treated and what is being taught is strange, its like, Is this what happens to 4 yr olds after daycare? 

I was looking for an alternative because I need to earn income and cannot homeschool at this time but I don't want public school!

Im looking forward to more events I can experience with my son, he enjoyed it and was calm and explorative and talkative the whole time Gunter