But I read a really interesting article yesterday on something in Germany called Waldkindergarten. It means "Forest Kindergarten." Basically, it's parent-run, government-endorsed [and partially funded], and the kids get to spend an entire school year outside in the forest. Rain or shine, snow, sleet... like the US Postal Service.
I know a little girl in Germany who goes to one of these schools. She and her parents both love it. I thought of her school the other day, and googled it... and it turns out there are more than 700 of them in Germany, and they're all over Scandinavia and even in Austria. There are only a few in the States, and from what I've read, those sound a little "hippy" and "New Age".... but I still think the general idea is incredible.
It seems really interesting to me that it's such non-traditional education, yet the article [written by a British news source] says that the children who complete a program like this are far ahead of their peers who attend traditional kindergarten. They're also healthier from all the fresh air, know much more about nature, and are much more prepared to begin school after a year outdoors. The only problem parents are finding is that they wish their kids could have more than one year of this type of school! Doesn't this sound like a win-win situation?
I also appreciated the fact that it gets back to kindergarten's roots- a children's garden! I always wondered where that term came from. Kindergarten was spent predominantly outdoors! How fun would that be?
Lately I've been studying some educational methods and ideas called Living Education, written by a lady named Charlotte Mason, who taught poor students in 19th-century England. She used "living books" [classic literature] to teach her students, and spent much time outside doing nature study. Her pupils also spent their free time outside in the fields and forests, exploring and imagining and creating; the children were able to do whatever they liked during their free time, but a teacher was always nearby to answer questions and provide guidance and protection [Of course, during non-free time, the study was directed]. The Waldkindergarten idea sounds pretty similar to her methods of education. Kids get to explore and discover and ask questions as they enjoy the beautiful creation right outside their doorstep! Researchers don't know the long-term effects yet on these students today, but Charlotte Mason's pupils received a very rich and thorough education- it was very much successful.
So, I think I've found the right kindergarten for me! Back to school again... or maybe I'll just start my own Forest Kindergarten for my nephews!
6 comments:
i think it's GREAT!!!! the best and healthiest way to raise your kids.
Annie i think you should move back to Germany as soon as your kids are Kindergarten age and check it out :)
As I remember, you spent your kindergarten year in the woods of Pennsylvania, up on a mountain where we lived for a fall, winter and spring. You flew kites from the end of your fishing pole, built a log cabin from the fallen trees, went sliding down our very steep, curvy roads on a plastic flier, picked wild flowers, watched deer, and sat in front of a fire to warm yourself up at the end of the day. You were Forest Kindergartening before you had a name for it! Mom
THAT'S RIGHT MOM! i surely did! and we also picked dandelions along the roadside and cooked them up for lunch! and threw artichokes at deer! and collected drinking water from a live spring! we CERTAINLY did have forest kindergarten plus. thanks mom.
I think this is awesome, and I want to be that Hippie child that gets to go to waldkindergarten.
Hi all,
I am a German daddy of a three year old and everything but not a Hippy! Our son is enjoying his day from 8:00 to 1:00 in the Waldkindergarten together with 15 other kids in the age between 3 & 5 years.
When looking at night, when coming home from work, into the fire in the eyes of my son I can tell he really had a great day. Just like a regular Kindergarten, they have a standard program, starting with a morning circle, creating their own toys out of sticks, moss and bark, painting, drawing, constructing and playing.
Kids do not care about weather as long as they wear the correct clothes. One of the biggest achievements they learn, as I think, is the fact that they 1. create toys with their own phantasy 2. figure out that commonly things go easier 3. the different seasons 4. reading traces 5. be child, before entering school 6. the quietness of nature 7....
All in all, it is a fabulous facility, which would fit perfectly into the US society
(a BMW driver :-))
thanks valentin for your comment! i am very glad to hear that you and your son have had such a positive experience with waldkindergarten!
Post a Comment