Fairfield Waldorf School

Preschool Through 1st Grade Now Available

Parents who wish to foster creative expression, self-sufficiency, and respect for the natural world in their children now have a new option in Fairfield, Iowa. Waldorf, the fastest growing private education system in the world, nurtures a child’s innate sense of wonder and curiosity. Waldorf schooling educates the whole child, “head, heart, and hands.” For those people looking for alternative schooling, a Waldorf First Grade initiative is accepting applications for Fall 2008.

Building on the foundation established by Eniko Reeder’s Children’s Garden for 3- to 6-year-olds, the First Grade initiative will be lead by certified Eurythmist Raven Garland. Eurythmy is an artistic movement taught throughout the 12 years of Waldorf education. The certification process requires classes in child development, pedagogy, poetry, drawing, sculpting, music, and therapeutic movement. It is even more comprehensive than Waldorf teacher certification. Ms. Garland has an M.A. in Music from the University of Massachusetts and has extensive teaching experience. She will be attending the Waldorf Institute of Southern California this summer specifically for training to teach first grade.

The First Grade curriculum will include language arts, arithmetic, eurythmy, singing, recitation, recorder, form drawing, water color painting, clay modeling, and handwork. Subjects are taught in blocks. Art is integrated with every subject. Rhythm is an integral part of the curriculum. The cycles of nature are honored and celebrated. Poetry, song, music, dance, puppetry, and handwork are all used as learning tools. “The things that seem like frills are the core of Waldorf,” says Ms. Garland. Rhythm games, stories, art, and movement help children learn their letters and numbers. Children create their own textbooks, thereby owning abstract concepts through art.

Waldorf education aims “to produce individuals who are able, in and of themselves, to impart meaning to their lives.” Waldorf schooling encourages imagination, intuition, humanity, self-sufficiency, and inner freedom. Social interaction is constantly modeled. Children learn positive ways of dealing with peers and learn how to resolve issues early.

A question and answer session will be held 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 16, at the Garland residence, 605 N. 3rd St. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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