Exploring a Waldorf Kindergarten Day: Rituals, Play, and Connection

A Day in the Life of a Waldorf Kindergarten ~
Written by Sarah Baldwin of Bella Luna Toys

A note from Jamie: While not technically a homeschooling experience, this piece offers an insightful glimpse into a Waldorf early childhood environment that closely resembles a home setting. Many popular homeschooling methods adopt principles from this approach, and I’m grateful to Sarah for sharing her knowledge.

On "Soup Day" in my Waldorf kindergarten, we arrived early to prepare, setting a basin of water on the table along with vegetable scrubbers.

Each chair was equipped with a small wooden cutting board, bowl, and a “crinkle cutter,” ready for the day ahead. At 8:10, my assistant and I gathered with the children to recite the morning verse, concluding with Rudolf Steiner's reminder: “Receive the children with reverence, educate them with love, let them go forth in freedom.”

A Day in the Life of a Waldorf Kindergarten

By 8:15, the children arrived one by one, excitedly bringing vegetables for our “stone soup.” Lucy offered a potato, Aidan presented a carrot, Frances contributed broccoli, and Max brought a beet. It truly took a village to create our feast.

Each child found their unique symbol above their hooks—perhaps a bunny, an apple, or a squirrel. They hung their coats, swapped outdoor shoes for slippers, and donned small aprons, ready to chop veggies alongside me. As we worked, the atmosphere buzzed with chatter, and I sang, “Stone soup, stone soup, cook a pot of stone soup.”

Photo by Sarah Baldwin

As each child completed chopping, they'd hand their contributions to my assistant, who stirred them into the large pot on the stove. With the soup brewing, it was time for free play.

Free Play: The Heart of the Morning

In Waldorf kindergarten, free play is essential. The children jumped into imaginative worlds—one trio donned silk capes and crowns, declaring themselves a king, knight, and bishop, off to slay imaginary dragons.

A boy pulled out a log stump, inviting others to line up for jumping turns. Meanwhile, two children draped wooden playstands with colorful silks and play cloths, crafting a cozy little home.

As the teachers prepared lunch, a few children set the table. Around 9:30, I sang:

Tick Tock goes the clock, what does it have to say?
Time for us to pick up our toys and put them all away.

Gradually, the children transitioned from playtime, folding silks, returning shells and stones to baskets, and moving wooden structures back to their places. We gathered on the rug for circle time.

Circle Time: Rhythm and Repetition

During circle time, I led our group through seasonal songs, verses, and movements. As they mirrored my actions, the children learned and mastered each piece over the next two weeks, relishing their progress.

We concluded the circle with:

Now the sun has gone to bed,
The stars are shining overhead.
In their nests the birds all sleep,
Into their homes the snails will creep.
Children now no more will roam,
It’s rest time now and we’re safe in our home.

Rest Time: Creating Calm

For rest time, the children lay on the rug while I settled into a rocking chair, one child strumming my kinder lyre. The calming notes of its pentatonic scale enveloped us in tranquility.

Once everyone was calm, the "wake-up fairy," a silk marionette, visited each child, gently kissing them and announcing it was time to prepare for outdoors.

Outdoor Adventures

We ventured outside every day, regardless of the weather. Living in Maine has taught me that, with appropriate clothing, even the coldest days can be enjoyable.

In winter, the children dressed in layers, wool long underwear, down jackets, and insulated mittens. In spring, or what we affectionately dubbed "mud season," it was all about rain pants and boots.

In the playground, children dug in the sandbox, climbed trees, constructed fairy houses, or simply sat atop a large boulder chatting. Meanwhile, I often engaged in simple outdoor tasks like raking leaves.

At 11:15, I sang, “Come and follow, follow, follow, me!” They lined up behind me, heading back to our cozy classroom.

After hanging up coats and slipping back into slippers, it was circle time once again, this time for storytelling.

Story Time: The Power of Repetition

Just like circle time, I tell each story for two weeks. Today’s tale was “Mother Holle," a classic Grimm fairy tale. Throughout the year, children will hear an array of fairy tales, folk tales, and nature stories, sometimes enhanced with puppetry, remaining captivated by the familiar narratives.

Lunch: Nourishing Community

When lunchtime arrived, we gathered at the table, lighting a candle, and reciting:

Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun who makes it ripe and good,
Dearest Earth and Dearest Sun.
We’ll not forget what you have done.

Finally, the long-awaited stone soup was ready. One fortunate child discovered the hidden stone in their bowl, allowing them to make a wish, passing it along so everyone at the table could share in the magic.

Photo by Douglas Mott

Post-lunch, two children assisted with cleaning up while the rest prepared for the next outdoor play session.

Farewell Ritual

By 1:00, parents started arriving. We formed a circle, holding hands, and sang:

Dear friends, goodbye
Dear friends, goodbye
Now is the time of day
When we all go our way
Dear friends, goodbye
Dear friends, goodbye

And with that, we bid farewell, already looking forward to tomorrow, when it would be "Bread Day!"

Explore more of Sarah’s Waldorf-inspired posts on Simple Homeschool here.

Are there aspects of my Waldorf kindergarten day that resonate with your homeschooling experience? Any new ideas you've found here that you may integrate into your routine? Share your thoughts!

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