A School Worthy of All Children
Dear Members of The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara Community,
Below is a late-January message from Mr. Aaron of the White Rose class to the parents of his students. Not only does Mr. Aaron paint a vital picture of daily life in our Waldorf early childhood program, he offers insight into parenting:
White Rose children playing.
We had lots of time outside this week and the children settled into sweet, relaxed play: petting chickens, swinging on the swings, jumping rope, climbing the structures, sledding on “Pine Needle Hill,” burying themselves in large piles of pine needles…and the occasional game of chase. The weather was beautiful and clear, and it almost felt like the children were enjoying lazy summer days in the countryside.
This week reminded me why it’s important to allow young children plenty of time for uninterrupted, unstructured play. When a wild pony is roped and confined in a tight stall, it might appear tame but when released it will buck, rear, stamp and snort. Good luck getting it back without being knocked on your backside or dragged through the mud! But if offered a wide pasture the pony’s unruly behavior will gradually settle into a calm state, and it will become more approachable. Children are not unlike wild ponies. When given time and space, and when they are not handed lots of toys, pre-structured activities, or play ideas, they may initially become restless, cranky, and express that they are bored. This is especially common when access to screen media (like TV shows and video games) is cut off or drastically reduced.
White Rose children painting Valentine’s Day boxes.
But this is nothing more than the anxiety many of us experience when not constantly entertained, stimulated, or kept busy. If we allow our children to work through this boredom by giving them long periods of unstructured play, then, naturally, they will find ways to entertain themselves, they will get into fewer conflicts, they will settle, and they will find comfort in moments of movement and stretches of stillness. You might witness your child have spontaneous breakthroughs of creativity, come up with new games with friends, or simply spend long periods observing nature: sitting and looking at plants, bugs, sticks, and rocks. They will begin to notice the beauty and inherent joy in the world when their senses come back into focus.
Boots outside Mr. Aaron’s door after play in the rain.
In these last weeks we have observed a surge of interest in our school. Prospective parents are flocking for tours; completed applications are filing in. These prospective parents are friends of current WSSB parents; alums who are now parents themselves; current parents at Wild Roots Forest School; parents moving to town who are devoted to Waldorf education; and parents disenchanted by mainstream education—the big class sizes, the ubiquity of screens, the children falling through the cracks.
Douglas Garrett, an education consultant who recently spent time at WSSB, observed this surge of interest and commended our growth and our solidity. During his visit Mr. Garrett—who served as an administrator at various Waldorf schools and served on the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America board—not only shared insights about administration, but he shared with us a clarifying, heart-laid-bare love for this education. We are grateful for his consultation. And we are grateful word is spreading about this healing education that honors the whole child. And we thank those parents who are advertising this school’s crucial work.
Ms. Llama tells us that she is reading “Education for the Future” by Michaela Glockler, a known writer in the Waldorf world. Here are some words from that book for our consideration:
It is indeed the school that creates the conditions for the society of tomorrow. This shock of responsibility is not spared anyone who seriously is concerned today about education and its influence on health and development. It is therefore crucial that this enormous responsibility does not crush, but motivate you.
As we teach and parent the children, we might recall that “shock of responsibility.” The children are so variously and unfailingly beautiful. May their beauty—and the meaning we derive from creating healthy conditions for that beauty—continue to motivate us.
Come and join Ballard Sensei stitch bean bags for the children of the Westside and Pasadena Waldorf schools from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, February 8th here on campus (during our Community Brunch and Book Sale). Ballard Sensei is a member of the Handwork Relief Circle, a group of Waldorf teachers in service of Waldorf students affected by the fires.
Important Dates:
Saturday, February 8th: Booksale and Community Brunch (see flyers below). Note: coffee and pancakes will be provided!
Friday, February 14th and Monday, February 17th: No school in observance of President’s Day
Friday, February 21st: Re-registration packets due.
Wednesday, March 19th at 5:30 p.m.: Spring Performance (more information forthcoming).
In gratitude,
The WSSB Admin Team
PS The Verse of the Day is the closing verse for the weekly faculty meeting:
May we work together with goodwill to form a community where the gifts of each one are acknowledged and where each one does one’s best that the highest spiritual powers may help us bring forth a school worthy of all children that they may learn to live and breathe in spirit awareness blessing the world with their deeds.
