A Way of Life

‘Let your children be children and let them retain the magic of their innocence.’

This idea resonated with me and I decided to explore Rudolf Steiner and his philosophy.

As a parent, when I was looking for good schooling options for my children I felt a little overwhelmed with the variety of curriculums available for education. What drew me to Tridha and the Waldorf way of learning was its simplicity.

With the fast moving pace of life, the intention was to slow down and enjoy my children.  Modern luxury is to live quietly, which is impossible when the media is trying to sell you some new product and the world wants to make you a slave to technology.

So what tools do we have to slow down the pace of life and the lives of our children?

I discovered the answers in the Waldorf philosophy. The rootedness to reality, the reverence for our planet and nature and the ease of learning were values, which I wanted to incorporate in my children.

In Tridha, the kindergarten has mixed age groups and children learn beautiful life lessons through open-ended toys, fairy tales and social skills. Outdoor play is an essential part of their day. The proximity to nature helps them to thrive.

In grade school the emphasis is on learning through experience. Rudolf Steiner lays crucial importance to the physical development of a child. When children are ready to learn, information is exposed to them so that learning happens effortlessly. For example, when children start understanding the essence of time, a clock shows up in their classroom. This organic way of learning is not only natural but also enjoyable for them.

Every child is born with an innate sense of creativity. The objective of a system like Waldorf is to harness and cultivate that creativity rather than fit children in pre designed cookie cutter formats. After all, in Steiner's words – ‘the need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.’

As you sow you reap. The choice of school and method of teaching is bearing small fruits. I see my children expressing themselves through crochet, paintings and need nothing more than a patch of foliage to be content most of the time.

This post has been authored by Arwa Mamaji, a Tridha parent, and High School teacher