All understanding begins in wonder. Kindergarten A sense of wonder and wholehearted participation in the surrounding world are the special virtues of young children, and the qualities we strengthen in our preschool program. We strive to provide children with examples that are worthy of imitation in a setting that is full of beauty. The more actively young children imitate, the more lively will be their approach to learning.
Children become completely engaged in what they do, making no distinction between work and play.
Playing with simple, handmade toys, and with gifts from nature, such as shells, stones, lambswool, and wood, the children strengthen their creativity and their connection to the earth. By participating in meaningful tasks, such as baking, gardening, washing, and building, the children learn to work with joy and devotion to others, and to their environment. Through the teacher's gentle guidance, a balance is achieved between the more active pursuits and the more receptive, quiet activities, such as drawing, painting, or listening to the daily story, which is told rather than read. I am struck by the fact that the more slowly trees grow at first, the sounder they are at the core, and I think the the same is true of human beings. Such trees continue to expand with nearly equal rapidity to an extreme old age.