Kindergarten

“Imagination is more important than knowledge” ~Albert Einstein

In the kindergarten active imaginative play is supported by the careful selection and quality of natural and simple play materials, objects gathered from the garden, forest and sea.

Opportunities are provided for the children to partake in a range of experiences which come out of their connection to daily life, such as, cooking, domestic routines, painting, drawing and simple craft work. Daily and weekly activities and events are brought into a Breathing Rhythm which give the children a sense of belonging and security as well as a sense of time and space.

During the morning the group of children and kindergarteners gather together for Morning Circle. This is a time of joyful singing, movement games to poems and simple stories.

Social Mealtimes with food prepared with care and respect supports healthy eating habits, digestion and organ development. Food is, where possible, grown organically and is served and eaten in a spirit of love and gratitude. The children enjoy a snack prepared together with the teacher, and later they gather together again to have the lunch they bring from home.

Experiences of the Wonders of Nature, the elements, and the possibility of real adventures can be found in the garden and during weekly trips to the beach, along with the richness of the seasons as turning points of the year. (Yes, we have these changes in Florida too!)

Before they go home the children enjoy a Story or Puppet Play, which is intended to appeal to the children’s love of repetition and rhythm. In this way the child’s physical body is tuned in readiness for the emotional and intellectual skills to be developed in the next stage.

Celebration of festivals, quality and variety of equipment, connection with the natural environment, and careful selection of stories and songs contribute to the comprehensive and rich educational experience offered by Sarasota Waldorf kindergarten.

CLICK HERE for Faculty Bios.