As a mum, you want your child in a safe, nurturing place that is a home-away-from-home. My heart leaped for joy when we found Waldorf-inspired St. Michael Playgarden when Benny was two years old. He is now 4 and a half and it is his last semester there, but if you are looking, searching and praying for a place for your little one- like i was- this may be the answer ;)
Nurturing the Whole Child … Head, Heart and Hands
Waldorf/Steiner Education views each child as a growing human being of body, soul, and spirit, all of which must be nurtured by education in thinking, feeling and willing.
ST. MICHAEL PLAYHOUSE (formerly MIKAEL PLAYGARDEN) places human development of Head, Heart and Hands at the center of its work and daily program. It prepares young people to meet the world with inner confidence, to trust in the value of each human being, and to think and work with initiative in their lives. Following the indications of Austrian scientist and philosopher, Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), the children learn through creative play, imitation and rhythm in the context of their own stage of development. The capacity for serious academic work and thinking in formal school is first nurtured through healthy play and artistic learning at the day care in preparation for the kindergarten and lower school. Children are encouraged to learn in awe and wonder about the world around them.
Between birth and age seven, the child learns mainly through imitation. The atmosphere surrounding the child is filled with beauty, morality, and role models worthy of imitation. At this age the children need warmth and protection to develop their capacities in a natural, supportive, non-competitive and free atmosphere for creative play and work.
The arts and practical work are the bedrock out of which Waldorf/Steiner education nourishes creativity, thinking, feeling life, self-discipline and health in its students. By educating the whole child in these rich and creative ways, we hope to encourage young people to bring the highest human capacities into their adult lives as they become citizens of the future.
My little big boy Benicio doing his laundry in the sunshine
MISSION/VISION
To nurture and educate responsible individuals who are free-thinking, purposeful and compassionate, working in community towards social transformation.
• Our program integrates the child’s developmental needs to enhance intellectual skills and inner strength.
• Our deeply committed nurturers work together to foster each child’s sense of self-reliance, concern for community, and moral purpose.
• The child’s educated, disciplined imagination will be the foundation for leadership into the future.
Tita Winnie telling a story for the children
School year 2011-2012, Second Semester
Daycare:
Tue-Fri, Nov 8, 2011 – Mar 30, 2012 (with holiday on Nov 30); Christmas break: Dec 17, 2011 to Jan 9, 2012
Half Day 8:30 - 12noon
Full Day 8:30 -4pm
Fees are per semester and inclusive of all education materials and 3 (full-day)/ 2 (half day) healthy organic/bio-dynamic meals per day
Parent-Child:
Saturdays, Nov 12, 2011 – Dec 17; Mondays, Nov 14 – Dec 19
Parent chooses either Sat or Mon. Fees are per 6-week block and inclusive of all materials. The child must be accompanied by one parent.
Saturday, 9:00am-11:00am
Monday, 9:30am-11:30am
Tita Josie letting the children assist in preparing the meals
For more information:
G/f, ISIP Center, 6241 Palma cor Mañalac Sts., Bgy. Poblacion, Makati City
Mobile: 0917 847 0848; Email: St.Michael.Playhouse@gmail.com
Facebook: St Michael Playhouse Makati
Meanwhile, we would like to share with you these wonderful articles on Steiner/Waldorf education:
Waldorf Education in Public Schools
Harvard Education Letter
Harvard Graduate School of Education
http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/515#home
The article above gives good insights on the state of the American public school education, and how Waldorf/Steiner programs are being implemented in public schools with positive results
A Silicon Valley School that Doesn't Compute
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/us/screen-time-higher-than-ever-for-children-study-finds.html?_r=2&emc=eta1
This article talks about the interesting choices of top computer techies and executives to send their children to a Steiner school
Preschool Tests Take Time Away from Play - and Learning
Scientific American
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-death-of-preschool
Finally, the article above makes no reference to Steiner education, but makes a strong case for why more play, and less direct instruction and academics, is critical for a young child's development
Benicio the park sweeper during a trip to the park
