Karlsruhe, Germany
Monday, March 10, 2008
We started off today with a visit to the Forest Kindergarten. It is a really neat place founded and run by parents for children up to age 6. What is unique about this school is that the children spend their day (about 6 hours) mostly outside, rain or shine. I kind of expected something like the lost boys from Peter Pan. When we arrived the children were dressed warmly with a type of overalls to protect their clothing from getting wet. The children gathered in a group and we sang "If your happy and you know it". Next, we began our trek through the woods. The kids ran and played as expected but they also worked together and helped each other out. Sometimes they walked hand in hand. They treated the adults with respect but the adults also played with them on their level and showed them respect. When someone climbed a tree no one yelled "get down" they just climbed and played at thier own pace. This is a very unique school with a unique approach to learning. We finished our visit with tea and coffee, then headed for the Waldorf school in Stuttgart.
More to be added later.
