I believe that Waldorf education lays an invaluably strong foundation for children.
As we’ve literally laid the physical foundation for our schoolhouse, my mind has pondered on the deeper meanings of all this. As I was pouring the footers for the posts and caulking the edges of the platform, I realized that the physical work I was doing parallels this deeper, spiritual work. Without the strong footers, our schoolhouse might shift and could even collapse. Without the protective caulk seal, moisture would damage the internal structure of the platform.
As teachers, it is our purpose to provide an entry into school that fosters joy, creativity, possibility, and wonder–the foundation for life-long learning. Our school day reflects the deep belief that a child’s natural, creative play lays the most important foundation for later academic success. Waldorf early childhood programs are designed to enlivening the imagination and lovingly guiding each child toward his or her understanding of the world. A school experience that recognizes and protects the sanctity of childhood will lovingly guide a child toward success in adult life.
As we work to build our physical schoolhouse, we focus on these things. It is the hearts of the children that are on the forefront of our minds as we move forward.
After digging two foot holes with an auger, we added rebar and mixed and poured concrete. These footings will be holding up the school, so making them strong is very important.
Once the footers “cured,” we attached the octagon we previously made to posts that were attached to the footers. The frame of our school is up!
Now we lay the subflooring which will hold insulation. It was exciting to see the round shape already taking form.
We all worked a long and hard day. Even Banyan got to help!
After the subflooring was built, we laid plywood on top and trimmed the edges to a perfect circle. Then we filled it with insulation to keep little feet and bodies warm.
Plywood was then placed on top and trimmed to a perfect circle. Here is the platform just before it was trimmed.
Here’s a picture of the cool notched board once it was bent around the platform.
Banyan’s Gramma came to help keep him happy and occupied. At one point, he took it upon
himself to collect tomatoes for the workers. He filled our new wagon with tomatoes and
pushed it across the property and down the hill to the yurt platform.
The platform is finished. We have constructed a strong foundation for our school.
Next, to raise the yurt. We may perhaps be Asheville’s first school in a yurt.
