Rosewood Cottage Playgroup
For children from a few months old to turning three (and onwards), and for their parents.
The aim of our Playgroup is to provide a sanctuary of truth, beauty and harmony for the children, and an oasis of peace and friendship for the parents, supporting them in connecting and building community.
The Playgroup environment is created to meet the needs of the very young child. It is a place where the children can learn about the world through their senses and by physically ‘doing’. The children’s soul forces are nurtured through warmth, rhythm and a respectful atmosphere; a safe environment is created for the children, by adults engaged in meaningful activity, worthy of the child’s imitation.
The young child responds well to rhythm and so each Playgroup morning is structured in the same way. As the morning progresses a ‘breathing’ sets in. When the children sit down for songs, stories, fruit and bread making an ‘in’ breath takes place. Later, with cleaning up and outside play, a breath ‘out’ and so on. The times of the ‘in’ breaths are times for the adults to bring focused, quiet attention to what is happening at that time.
The rhythm of the morning also helps the children to know what is coming next and helps to direct and strengthen their will. When the appropriate song is sung, the children will know that it is time to wash hands, make their ‘crunchy buns’ or tidy up. The adult sets the example for the children. For example, when it is time to pack away, the adults slowly and lovingly pick up and place the playthings in their ‘homes’. Because the toys are put in the same place each time the children know where each one belongs. As their learning through rhythm and imitation is very strong, the children will join in.
The aim of our Playgroup is to provide a sanctuary of truth, beauty and harmony for the children, and an oasis of peace and friendship for the parents, supporting them in connecting and building community.
The Playgroup environment is created to meet the needs of the very young child. It is a place where the children can learn about the world through their senses and by physically ‘doing’. The children’s soul forces are nurtured through warmth, rhythm and a respectful atmosphere; a safe environment is created for the children, by adults engaged in meaningful activity, worthy of the child’s imitation.
The young child responds well to rhythm and so each Playgroup morning is structured in the same way. As the morning progresses a ‘breathing’ sets in. When the children sit down for songs, stories, fruit and bread making an ‘in’ breath takes place. Later, with cleaning up and outside play, a breath ‘out’ and so on. The times of the ‘in’ breaths are times for the adults to bring focused, quiet attention to what is happening at that time.
The rhythm of the morning also helps the children to know what is coming next and helps to direct and strengthen their will. When the appropriate song is sung, the children will know that it is time to wash hands, make their ‘crunchy buns’ or tidy up. The adult sets the example for the children. For example, when it is time to pack away, the adults slowly and lovingly pick up and place the playthings in their ‘homes’. Because the toys are put in the same place each time the children know where each one belongs. As their learning through rhythm and imitation is very strong, the children will join in.
| Shearwater Early Childhood Handbook |