Copyright © 2005
Haleakala Waldorf School.
Celebration and rhythm are important aspects of the young child’s daily experience
Academic Programs
Early Childhood Programs
Many parents visiting Haleakala Waldorf School's early Childhood classes feel an instant, intuitive connection—often saying, "I wish I had gone to a school like this." The room is warm, colorful, cared-for and filled with nature's beauty and variety—a place where children can let their imaginations roam while feeling reassured and protected.
The Early Childhood Department is looking for children and their families that are a good fit with our school and its philosophy of play based/nature oriented curriculum. Specifically, we are looking for families that want to enroll their children in our school all the way through eighth grade. This is a long term relationship with the school and with the “co-parents” in your child’s class. To facilitate this we are looking for those who share our values and are interested in:
- Preserving a play-filled childhood for their child, in which formal academic instruction begins in first grade.
- Learning about child development and the stages of childhood within the Waldorf tradition,
- Helping to create a peace filled, kind, tolerant, media free, community environment allowing each child to safely unfold at his/her own pace,
- Creating a healthy and nurturing, rhythmical life at home that allows the young child to develop to their full potential in mind, body, and spirit.
The young child learns primarily through imagination, action and imitation, by seeing and doing. The goal of the Waldorf Early Childhood program is to develop a sense of wonder in the young child and reverence for all living things. Hearing stories told aloud and watching puppet plays cultivate the imagination and strengthen the ability to listen and concentrate. Songs and nursery rhymes inspire a love of language and of music. Preparing snacks together, baking bread and cleaning up afterwards encourage cooperation and a sense of responsibility.
The teachers provide a caring, home-like environment while balancing free play with structured activities. The children engage in household tasks, cooking, baking, sewing, games, simple seasonal crafts, beeswax modeling, Hawaiiana, watercolor painting, drawing, singing, play acting, creating puppet shows, and creative play. They garden and are often led on nature walks.
See enrollment information and our Early Childhood Program FAQ page.