A half-day visit to Waldorf School in Beijing

Yesterday, thanks to a friend, I went to a Waldorf school in Beijing to play. Although it is not the first time to go to Waldorf School in Beijing, it is the first time to get in close contact with a large number of children studying in Waldorf School. Some places left a deep impression on me, and I want to record them:

1, the child's eyes are particularly bright (the word that comes to mind is "eyes"), and no myopia is found regardless of size. It's the sparkling feeling of the children in the mountains in the photography. This is very rare among children in cities.

Let's take a picture of the sea gypsies-Moken people to give you a feeling:

2, very close to nature, regardless of boys and girls and mud grasping sand without hesitation. Broken stainless steel pot, stones, withered flowers and plants left in any corner are all good toys and good materials. It is really helpless and heartbreaking to think that some children I met are afraid of getting their clothes and hands dirty and resolutely don't try to paint with pigments.

3. Very creative and dedicated. Children in Grade One and Grade Two spent almost the whole morning building ditches with sediment templates. Level first, then drain water to see if the ditch can pass; Then began to try to build a small slope; In order to retain the upstream sediment, the popsicle stick is horizontally inserted in the middle of the waterway to form a buffer and reduce soil erosion ... "Look, the filter is still effective!" When the little boy found the idea successful, he was very happy to say hello to his friend. Some people carry water, some dig ditches, some dredge, some design, some decorate ... constantly design, constantly experiment, constantly improve, and work as a team. Isn't this the spontaneous integration of physical knowledge and project learning of design thinking? This makes me very excited!

4. Be confident and dare to express. As an educator deeply influenced by Reggio's idea of "recording", I habitually take out my mobile phone to shoot records. At this time, the child said to me loudly, "I don't like you using your mobile phone." I don't like being photographed "

After hearing the children's words, I actually admire them: first of all, they can stick to what they think is right and remind me that this adult stranger should obey the rules. Secondly, their expression is self-disclosure beginning with the word "I". Note that it is not "no cell phone, no photos"! This kind of self-disclosure can effectively express self-feelings and solve problems by avoiding conflicts and judgments. It is a very important communication skill (for example, it is mentioned in the "Parent Effectiveness Manual" that parents should also cultivate "self-information" communication methods. )。

A little boy drew a sand painting of Tiananmen Square. I said you drew it very well. The little boy said, "Of course, I have been there." Later, some parents also came to watch the children's ditch project. They were very excited and began to give directions, suggesting that the children do this and that. The children looked up and said, "We also know that you don't have to say it." For these children, adults look at them when they come, leave them when they leave, talk when they talk, and have no time to talk to you if they don't talk. I can really feel that the process of playing and creating has satisfied them. They feel great from the bottom of their hearts and no longer rely on the praise of others, especially adults.

5. Justifiable rejection of electronic products and equipment. After apologizing, I carefully talked with the children about not letting me take pictures, and found that the reason why they didn't let me take pictures was not my expected personal privacy or anything, but because they hated mobile phones too much and didn't want to watch them.

Are you touched by parents who are worried that their children watch too many electronic products?

From the perspective of preschool educators, I personally agree to reduce and control children's use of electronic products. However, as an adult individual learner who embraces the Internet and electronic devices and benefits from it, I will think: Is it the best solution to let children have an attitude of treating electronic products as a scourge?

6, the rolling circle needs skill to use! I tried a toy that I didn't play with when I was a child for the first time. I found that I need to concentrate, feel, balance and control my body at the same time, and it will take me a while to get started! Simply suggest that parents have one!

7. Overprotected children?

How do you react when you see a five-or six-year-old child crawling on a shelf about three meters high, without any adults and protective equipment around?

I secretly sweated for him, and my first reaction was that the caregiver should not leave such a small child alone. But when I was a child, I liked adventure and excitement. When adults are not looking, I climb over the wall, climb the door, climb the pole and jump down the stairs ... In fact, when I do these seemingly dangerous things, I still know where the boundary is and where my tolerance is, so I often have minor injuries without major problems.

So, where is the boundary between ensuring children's safety and overprotection? It may also vary according to the personality of caregivers and children ... In fact, different countries and cultures have different views and practices on children's safety. I recommend reading the article "Overprotected Children" written by Hannah Rosin in Atlantic Monthly.

But in this case, it seems that Waldorf School trusts children's sense of self-protection more than most institutions ... (Or is this purely accidental? )