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I am exploring Waldorf and Reggio Emilia approaches as a possible next step for my program and wondering if anyone has gone this way and what was the first steps they took interns of the environment. I have a LOT of plastic toys. We have an outside garden and my program is already play-based and a mix of child and teacher directed. But I feel like it needs more purpose than it has? Does that make sense? We do organics, cloth diapering and are about as green as the health department allows (no paper towels - green cleaning) so these two approaches seem like a nice extension of where we already are.
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In my opinion the Waldorf philosophy would require a special group of parents because it is a definite partnership. -
so you mean you would borrow ideas from the philosophies but not expect the kids to be living that way outside your space?Comment
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My families are all different - they generally follow how we are here because that is why they picked this program - my main goal is to bring more natural elements into the classroom and have broader exposures for the children - I cant force the parents to do anything. Both programs are rooted in similar child driven explorations and I just want to bring more of that into my current program - thus "inspired by" I'm not looking to become a fully certified program in any one area - does that make sense?Comment
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I incorporate pieces of reggio. My environment is fairly natural.....no plastics (mostly) lots of "loose parts", I use wicker baskets for storage and wood furniture, etc. We are very hands-on, play-based, teacher as facilitator, process-oriented, learning through real life experiences and all "curriculum" is based on children's interests and emerging skills.
Parent and community involvement is important. For instance, right now, we have children who are very interested in photography. A DCD of ours has collected old cameras for years, yet doesn't know anything about them. He offered us the cameras, and we have a college professor who is helping us learn more about them, the history of them, how they work and showing the children how to use them, we have a field trip planned to a photography studio, etc. We ALWAYS ask parents and community memebrs for resources and to "co-teach" in their areas of expertise.
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yep. I get it. You like the philosophy behind the holistic child approach to learning. I like it to.
My daughter is nearly 16 and she has one teacher who has his Waldorf certification. He brings some aspects of it into his history lessons. She loves him the most of all her teachers.Comment
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awesome!I incorporate pieces of reggio. My environment is fairly natural.....no plastics (mostly) lots of "loose parts", I use wicker baskets for storage and wood furniture, etc. We are very hands-on, play-based, teacher as facilitator, process-oriented, learning through real life experiences and all "curriculum" is based on children's interests and emerging skills.
Parent and community involvement is important. For instance, right now, we have children who are very interested in photography. A DCD of ours has collected old cameras for years, yet doesn't know anything about them. He offered us the cameras, and we have a college professor who is helping us learn more about them, the history of them, how they work and showing the children how to use them, we have a field trip planned to a photography studio, etc. We ALWAYS ask parents and community memebrs for resources and to "co-teach" in their areas of expertise.
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Crystal, how old are the children you care for?
I'm torn about the parent involvement thing I understand the importance but I never like to ask for parent involvement beyond sending supplies and such. As a parent who doesn't have flexible work hours I always feel guilty when school has "Muffins with Mom" and I can't go. My husband's job is just as inflexible so he can't ever go either. I don't want to create situations that put that burden of guilt on parents, because I know some of them have inflexible jobs too. I do let all the parents know that they're welcome to come and be involved as much as they'd like; I just don't set up special "parent involvement" events. Does that make sense?Comment
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Infant to 8 years. 14 total.
I don't do big events for parents to participate in.....well actually, we do have annual trips with families to Apple Hill, Camping and Bowling....ALWAYS on a weekend though so most parents can attend. I include parents by letting them know what we are "studying" and ask them to contribute resources, and if they have an area of expertise, to share it with the children. The parents LOVE it and so do the kids!Comment
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I forgot you had so many kids. I have 6; aged 10 mos to 4 years.
Thanks for the info - now I "get" what you mean by parent participation. I do the same thing - let parents know our theme and ask for contributions. I also have a Wish List section in my newsletter that lists things we could use. Sometimes parents bring things, sometimes they don't.
That's nice of you to plan weekend events. I'm jealous of my weekends but used to do a Family Picnic in the summer. I stopped for a while because I had some families I just didn't want to spend extra time with, but I should do one again this summer - all of my current families are fantastic. lovethisComment
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