The first Steiner Waldorf kindergarten opened in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1926. The first teacher, Elizabeth Grunelius, produced a book outlining her pioneering practice, and in the foreword asked, 'As the human lifespan becomes longer, why is childhood becoming ever shortened?'
As we debate lowering the age of school entry to four and confront legislated literacy, ICT and numeracy goals for those in pre-school settings, this question has returned for Steiner practitioners.
AN UNHURRIED APPROACH
From its earliest beginnings, the Steiner kindergarten movement has, among other things, resisted moves to prematurely intellectualise, and over-stimulate, in early years childcare. It has also been determined to base all decisions on an understanding of child development.
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