Initially one may wonder how we meet Science and Technology outcomes within a Steiner Early Childhood setting but in reality we always have! Through play, exploration and creating we are using algorithms, computational thinking and are we are continuously working scientifically.
Each week in Kindy we cook and garden and in doing so we follow a simple procedure or algorithm. We begin to understand that the bread won’t rise without a little honey added to the yeast or that muffins are hard and dry without one of our wonderful golden chook eggs. Missing a step can be make or break when cooking. In gardening we know that we must first prepare the soil for tiny seeds. They need to be watered and placed in the gentle sun before roots and shoots can grow.
We observe and explore how the change in seasons effects our environment and each other, including the chooks, the bees and guinea pigs. On these cool days we check that there is water for the bees and that the guinea pigs are warm and cosy with plenty of food.
We observe motion and push and pull as we create marble tracks, use shovels in the garden and move heavy logs from one spot to another. Recently I watched as 3 children spent 15 minutes working out how to make a marble jump over an obstacle and into a wooden boat. This is the magic of creative scientific thinking!
In Kindy, we take the time to wonder and appreciate our natural world. Here we do not rush. Through real life experiences we observe Mother Earth, heading into the cooler months – Perhaps some mulch around the trees and vegetable patch will keep the garden warm? We see the bees dancing from one flower to another, gathering the last of the summer pollen.
As the rain falls we are delighted to find that the once dry digging spot has turned to a wonderful mud, perfect for moulding, ‘cooking’ and digging at. We are indeed ground breakers in Kindy!
And so you see that the wonders of science are all around children. In every activity we are building our love and fascination of the world around us. This is how we have developed and strived as human beings. And it will continue to grow for these lucky children, making them hungry for future forays into physics, chemistry, biology and environmental sciences.
Kirsty has completed Studies of Anthroposophy and Rudolf Steiner Education (Early Childhood) at the Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, and a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) from James Cook University. She joined Kindlehill in 2008 as a Kindergarten assistant and has been Kindergarten Teacher since 2013.
“As the Kindergarten teacher, I nurture the young child as they begin their journey at Kindlehill. I enjoy creating an environment that is rich in imagination, beauty and wonder, supporting and guiding the development of the whole child”.
