Buffalo Rising Online

May 1st, 7:44am By Eli George

Though Aurora Waldorf School is in West Falls, NY, they have early childhood programs at the Unity Church at 1243 Delaware Avenue. The school runs a satellite program in the furnished basement of the church, taught by Judy Frizland. The program brings parents and children together in a play group, giving children activities and a chance to learn in a Waldorf environment.

Waldorf education is a style of teaching that emphasizes the role of the natural rhythm of life. It is definitely not your normal public education style of learning. Frizland describes the program as breathing, there is an in-breath and an out-breath. “It’s really kind of sanctifying life. The key is we have a healthy rhythm,” says Frizland.

The day begins with the children having a free play period. The toys are all made from natural materials to provide a more true experience. Frizland says that children tend to find wooden, wool, or silk toys more digestible. It is during this same time that other activities may be going on as well, such as crafts. Frizland gave an example of the current craft project being crowns for May Day (May 1st). The materials used in the construction of any crafts project are all natural materials.

While the children play, the parents have something to do and sometimes the kids help out. The parents help prepare a snack, which may involve baking, and setting the table. The table is set with real china cups and place mats. Frizland said the mood of snack time is celebratory. “It’s the idea that food doesn’t come out of a box. These kinds of things like eating at a group and table manners are actually easier taught in a group,” says Frizland.

After the snack, the children help clear the table and actually do the dishes. Then, they clean up the playroom and afterwards are entertained with a puppet play. The play, according to Frizland, “is geared toward the attention span of these little guys. We try to model…that there are also moment to be quiet,” she says.

After the play, the children put on their outdoor clothing, depending on the weather, and take a long walk to a gazebo by Linwood Avenue. The group holds a closing circle, usually involving a song, to kind of close up the day with a tone of being thankful for the friends and company they shared. The parents leave with an article from Frizland about a parenting issue. Sometimes they read chapters from books. It gives the parents something to discuss during snack time and provides the parents with some form of support.

The program is for parents and toddlers age 1-4 and runs in a fifteen-week session. One or both parents can accompany the toddlers in the fall or winter sessions. There is usually about ten parent-toddler pairs in each group and they meet once a week. Paulette Faraci, marketing director for the Aurora Waldorf School says, “It’s not a drop off program, it’s a program that include the parents and the child. It’s a very supportive environment.”

The program is not a recruiting tool for the school either. “We really don’t push the school at all. If it’s for them, they [the parents] know it. I know many people who join just to be around other parents and children,” says Faraci.

With the success of this program, in September of this year, they will begin a drop-off program for 3-4 year olds. It will be on Monday and Thursdays from 8:45-11:30am and is meant to help the children transition from home life to school. For more information about the drop-off program or parent toddler program, you can call the main office of the Aurora Waldorf School at 655-2029 or visit their website.