Steiner approach – environment and materials

Janni Nicol (Early Childhood Executive – Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship (SWSF)) talks about the qualities that create a Steiner kindergarten environment and about the materials they consider important.

In order to become true educators, the essential thing is to be able to see the truly aesthetic element in the work, to bring an artistic quality into our tasks, such as the creation of play materials.

Rudolph Steiner. The Child's Changing Consciousness, 1923

 

What a difference there is between... playthings that leave as much a possible to the power of imagination and giving finished toys that leave nothing for the own child's inner activity.

Rudolph Steiner. The Roots of Education, 1924

 

Steiner, Rudolf. The Child’s Changing Consciousness  as a basis for pedagogical practice, 18/04/1923. Vol.16, Steiner Books, Great Barrington, MA, 1996

Steiner, Rudolf. The Roots of Education, 17/04/1924, Rudolf Steiner Press, 1998