Movement within a Steiner Kindergarten
MOVEMENT WITHIN A STEINER KINDERGARTEN.
By Fossil Bay Kindergarten Teacher, Melissa Edge.
Movement is an essential component in the development and education of young children. Within a Steiner Kindergarten, movement plays a central role in fostering physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Within Fossil Bay Kindy, movement is viewed as a fundamental aspect of a child’s overall development. The formal approach to movement in our setting entails the intentional and structured incorporation of various physical activities within the daily routine. Children engage in rhythmic exercises – singing and action songs. Games – cobbler cobbler and Simon Says and free play – sandpit, blocks, gardening etc that cater to their individual needs and development stages.
Movement is part of Steiner’s 12 senses. The sense of movement comes in the first phase of life between the age of 0-7. Steiner indicated that there are 4 senses which are primarily developed. The sense of movement is primarily focused on perceiving your own body, but you often also use it to observe things around you. In observing moving objects, your sense of movement works together with your sense of sight, so that you can see the type of movement taking place and estimate the speed of the moving object. To determine the objects shape, your eyes follow the outline of the object and shift to and from details that attract your attention. We can also perceive the movement of a branch in a tree with your muscle sense, by imitating the movement with your arms. You could also imagine the movement and imagine how your eyes or arms would likewise move. This is called sensorial fantasy of muscular imagery, and you can apply it whenever you want to observe and imitate shapes and movement.
“Everything we have in us, even everything we experience in our soul, is related to the outer world through our 12 senses” - Rudolph Steiner.
The short-term benefits of movement within a Steiner kindergarten are evident in the immediate physical and mental well-being of the children. Regular engagement in movement activities promotes physical fitness, leading to improved overall health. It helps children release their pent-up energy and develop a sense of calmness during the day. Movement also serves as a medium for social interaction and cooperation among the children, fostering the development of essential social skills. The long-term benefits of movement in a Steiner Kindergarten are profound and contribute to the overall development of the child. The enhanced motor skills acquired during this period lay foundation for a lifetime of physical activities and sports involvement. Additionally, movement activities promote a positive attitude towards the body and physical fitness, encouraging children to lead healthy lifestyles in their adulthood.
Within Fossil Bay most movement activities are initiated by the children as movement can foster a child's imagination and creativity which provides a platform for them to explore and express themselves freely, as we believe in promoting a holistic understanding of the world. The children also get to engage in sensory-rich experiences, such as beach visits, the new addition of climbing equipment, exploring our natural surroundings as well as singing and dancing. Through these activities, they develop a deep connection with not only their internal environment of the Kindy, but also the external wider world which helps to cultivate a sense of wonder and awe.