ENRICHED LIVES
At Mountain Oak School, one of the most precious Waldorf gifts
served to the children in the K-8 program is the handwork class.
Starting at the beginning, we might ask what is handwork in a
kindergarten? This question often comes up when new parents and
families inquire during the admissions/interview process. It is
an important question and has to be deeply examined in the light
of child development. It also represents one of the key differences
between a Waldorf-Inspired curriculum like MOS when compared with
another public school. The sense of order, form, color and beauty
in dealing with the materials of the world is expressed by the
kindergarten child in the care with which he sets the table, chooses
the mat to go under the candle, places his two shoes together
in a row with others, or neatly folds his sweater before putting
it away. That is handwork for the child before the change of teeth.
Learning a real craft draws him away too soon from his imaginative,
creative world. Far better that he will sit down with two sticks
or pencils and imitate the adult knitting than that he learns
to do one or two things with threads.
It is different when it comes to first grade. Something more
is happening. The child has reached the dawn of his intellectual
thinking and in the handwork class he now really learns to knit.
Rudolf Steiner said, "Thinking is cosmic knitting":
the continuous thread of thinking weaves itself into whole thoughts.
How can we enhance the cooperation between the hands and the head?
We must call upon the feelings. Color awakens interest, enthusiasm
and joy in the child. He should be given the beautiful colors
he so eagerly responds to in nature. He must develop a sensitivity
toward colors, really observe them, and be aware of how they affect
one another. A bright yellow thread cries out to be made into
a golden chain. The child responds and the activity of the limbs
works with the feelings and stimulates the processes of the head.
It should be a harmonious, rhythmical activity. The child must
begin to be conscious. He counts his stitches (addition principle);
he must know when one is missing (subtraction principle). There
is a right way to hold the needles, a right time to put the thread
over the needle (division principle-repeating this process many
times is the multiplication principle). Such things slowly bring
the child out of his unconscious world.
In the second grade, still using the continuous thread, we crochet
shapes, a kind of early geometry - a rectangular potholder, a
round pocketbook, a five-cornered mat. Are the sides equidistant?
The child must develop judgment and a sense of form and space.
Learning of this kind can have a real balancing effect on his
whole being. It awakens feelings in the child who is one-sidedly
intellectual, stimulates activity in the weak-willed child, and
awakens the thinking in the dreamy child.
To bring about the balanced effort of all the child's forces
is a tremendous challenge to the handwork teacher(s). She must
call upon her own powers of imagination, enthusiasm and play.
Then the child will happily participate, and along with all the
hidden lessons of life, s/he will learn the practical skills of
knitting, crocheting and sewing.
Children who learn while they are young to make practical things
by hand in an artistic way, and for the benefit of others as well
as themselves, will not be strangers to life or to other people
when they are older. They will be able to form their lives and
their relationships in a social and artistic way, so that their
lives are thereby enriched.
- Merrill Badger, Principal
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Happenings:
Tomorrow Wed., Feb., 16th (all grades except
K & 3rd) field trip at 1:00pm to YC performance center for
‘The Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe.”
Thurs., Feb., 17th at 7:00pm is Parent
University “"The Extra Music Lesson" by Marion
Van Namen, Music teacher.
Fri., Feb., 18th join us for Tea Garden
before school in the morning. Sign up to bring treats.
Fri., Feb., 18th is a half day early dismissal
at 12:30 pm.
Next Monday., Feb., 21st is a school holiday
no classes, enjoy President’s day!
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Kindergarten extended day (aftercare)
policy update
“Young children need restful or quiet times during the
day as a means of being restored for play. Like the rhythm of
breathing, the child’s activities alternate between active
play, in which the full body is in motion, and quiet times for
a snack or story. The afternoon nap is of great benefit for a
child in ‘digesting’ the impressions of the day. The
children have been so active in a group during the morning that
a more inward time is a needed balance. If the rhythm of a daily
rest is maintained, the child will learn that this is a time to
be by himself”.
Excerpt from: You Are Your Childs First Teacher.
By Rahima Baldwin
The Mountain Oak Kindergarten extended day program consists of
a wholesome lunch, provided by the parent, a nap or rest period
lasting one full hour, and outdoor play or a quiet table activity.
During the rest time a story is read or told, the Kinder harp
is played, and lullabies are sung. There is also time for absolute
silence. The children need this! Children who are restless may
look at a book or play with a doll while quietly resting on their
mat.
In an effort to maintain this rhythm and a restful atmosphere
for the children in the Kindergarten extended day program we need
to announce a few changes to the program policies and procedures.
These changes are effective beginning the week of: February 28.
Kindergarten extended day program hours are from 12noon to 3:00pm.
Cost is $9.00 per day for the Kindergarten program.
Pre-registration and pre-payment are due by Friday at 5:00pm prior
to the week of care needed.
Space is limited.
Drop-in care is not available.
Special arrangements can be made. Please call 541-0017 or speak
directly with Pat Babinsky, Dianne Jacobson, or Kim Martin.
Thank-you for your consideration, Kim Martin
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