I also really like the rhythms and routines we found at kindy. From the shared fruit time at the beginning of the day, to morning circle and food-making, I love the way Jack felt secure because he knew what was expected of him – he had done it before, and the little group would all be sharing in the work. By the age of three, he was confidently helping to make muesli, knead dough for buns and prepare veggies for morning teas. Little songs and rhymes keyed the children into tasks and made them more joyful times. Play was work, and work was play.
One of Angela’s favourites is the tidying away song. It goes like this: “Pick it up and pack it all away, soon it will be morning tea, play another day.” I remember children being given shell ‘bowls’ and encouraged to pick up fluff off the floor as well as pack up all the resources. Of course, in a home setting, the ‘morning tea’ in the song could always be replaced with ‘bath time’ or ‘lunch time’ to make it fit with which activity was coming next.
Angela and the small group in Coromandel are hoping to nurture the seed that they have planted to grow their group, with the vision for the return of a Steiner kindergarten in Coromandel. They are looking for resources, a better venue and more families to join them.
Angela says, “Children need help, understanding, support and guidance to empower and enable them to contribute and communicate in their own way, which is valuable to community. Children are taonga – precious treasure.”
If you would like to be involved or find out more about the group, please contact Angela on 021-255-0399.
Deborah Hide-Bayne is an author, photographer, artist and keen amateur cook. She lives in the Coromandel with her husband, her son, four chickens, one cat and 20 goldfish. She is the author of Coastal, living the coastal life, cooking for the coastal table. Check out her website here.
