Childhood and Waldorf Education

Childhood
In order for children to grow into healthy, empathetic, creative human beings the innocence of childhood must be protected. The young child needs a healthy environment and diet, and adults around them worthy of imitation. The international body Alliance for Childhood promotes policies and practices that support children's healthy development, love of learning, and joy in living. Public education campaigns bring to light both the promise and the vulnerability of childhood. It acts for the sake of the children themselves and for a more just, democratic, and ecologically responsible future. The Sophia Family Centre is a resource centre that supports and nurtures family life. The Rainbow Puppet Theatre offers enchanting entertainment and soul food for children from ages 4 to 94.

Alliance for Childhood 021 788 7867 (For website see under Links section)
The Sophia Family Centre (021) 794 1492
The Rainbow Puppet Theatre (021) 783 2063

Waldorf / Rudolf Steiner Education<
The world-wide Waldorf school movement consists today of over 1000 schools in 43 countries, using a universally applicable 12-year core curriculum and methods based on a detailed understanding of the phases of child development. It is the largest and fastest growing independent school movement in the world not affiliated to a religious denomination. Waldorf education meets the needs of children as whole human beings, engaging hands, hearts and heads in appropriate ways at different ages, and balancing scientific, artistic, practical, and spiritual elements. Waldorf schools are increasingly recognised for their creative, practical and humane approach, and the joy of the children in learning and developing into confident, balanced and socially oriented human beings.

In South Africa there are 14 schools situated in the full spectrum economic areas and serving families of all cultures. For children whose needs are not met by these or other schools there is a school for supportive education in Cape Town. The Centre for Creative Education in Cape Town trains Waldorf teachers, and schools in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town offer in-service teacher training.

For further information see Federation of Waldorf Schools in South Africa under the Links section or phone (021) 797 6802