Early Childhood
Many parents visiting a Chicago Waldorf School Early Childhood class feel an instant, intuitive connection with it—often saying, “I wish I had gone to a school like this.” The room is warm, colorful, cared-for and filled with nature’s beauty and variety—a place where children can let their imaginations roam while feeling reassured and protected.
Play is the heart of the Waldorf Early Childhood program. Children develop the capacity for creative thinking, problem-solving abilities and social skills through their free imaginative play. Simple, natural materials—pieces of wood, seashells, beeswax and handcrafted toys—encourages children to form their own games and stories.
Balancing free play with structured activities, the children engage in watercolor painting, handwork, seasonal crafts and movement (eurythmy); following the change of seasons, they are often led on nature walks to the school garden.
Hearing stories told aloud and watching puppet plays cultivate the imagination and strengthen the ability to listen and concentrate. Songs and nursery rhymes inspire a love of language and of music. Preparing snacks together, baking bread and cleaning up afterwards encourage cooperation and a sense of responsibility. Skills are also being laid for academics, such as math and reading readiness. All these activities enrich the early childhood experience in daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms that create a bridge from home to school.
The Chicago Waldorf School offers two-day, three-day and five-day Early Childhood programs for children three-and-a-half to six years. We now offer a program exclusively for three-year-olds, with a two-day or three-day option.
See enrollment information and a downloadable application for our Early Childhood program.