Children at Play: Using Waldorf Principles to Foster Childhood Development

by Heidi Britz-Crecelius, Joan Almon (Foreword by)

Imaginative play is more vital for a child's future than many parents and educators realize. The more they are allowed to be absorbed in their play, the more fully and effectively they will later take their place in the community of adults.

Drawing on her experiences as a mother and as a proponent of Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf system of education, author Heidi Britz-Crecelius emphasizes the different qualities of play that may extend through more than one phase of childhood. She focuses on natural materials and recommends specific games, toys, and art supplies that further the mobility of the mind and the powers of expression without the burden that premature schooling can place on children.

In Children at Play , the author also reminds us that the human being, though bound by laws of space and time and tied to the earth, stems from eternity and belongs to a much larger community; the child's innermost being is directly related to the all-embracing world of spirit.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for some literature on Waldorf Education and found this book. I don't know how it compares to others, but it's small size was definitely a plus. The book itself was a slightly antiquated, philosophical read, but I have to admit I am a fan of the Waldorf principles, at least as early childhood goes (basically, children learn through hands on, practical PLAY) after perusing this short volume. I don't agree with all of it, of course, but I got two important things out of it: 1.) A more profound respect for the learning that takes place in the smallest, most every day task. 2.)The chapter on dolls as an expression of a child's self. Two experiences I had with Nathan and his little stuffed Mickey Mouse (Heidi Britz-Crecelius would roll over in her grave at this Disney reproduction) came to mind where we worked through two hurdles (speaking in the Primary Program at church and meeting friends at school) by creating stories of Mickey encountering the same situations and triumphing. I now feel like having a beloved doll or stuffed animal is a potential tool in dealing with a difficult situation.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have noticed in some of the reviews posted for this book, many mothers taking the words of Heidi literally, to the point they are slandering her and giving poor ratings for the book in its entirety. I understand that while reading this book it is easy to mistake what she is saying as her blatant truth, rather than philosophy, which is what Waldorf schooling is— a philosophy, with a very basic foundation. Perhaps Heidi could have worded a lot of things differently, but to me, her tone suggests to think deeply and hard at the message in its entirety. She does a great job covering the foundations of the Waldorf philosophy and uses many stories as examples to plead her case. While it isn’t all pure facts or the answer for every child, it encourages us parents to dig deeper in our approach, while catering to children and trusting them with their imagination to guide them in their early years.

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before I set this book down filled with anger (and a little bit of fear!) over its claims that I've been psychologically damaging my children by encouraging them as readers, I also learned that it's not good to let kids excel in school. According to Britz-Crecelius, children who perform at the top of the class academically will necessarily have social problems, including pseudo-friendships with normal kids who will only use them as sources of knowledge.

But I think that the following statement gets credit for being the most outrageous: "If it is true, that an overly-early emphasis on the intellectual side frequently results in, or even causes, an underdevelopment of the social faculties, then we should think carefully about whether in these over-early readers a generation is not growing up, which, once we are old and no longer be reckoned of any use, will not, in a very painless and humane way, just do away with us." So if we teach our kids how to read when they're young, they might grow up and euthanize us!?!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this a 3 just because it's right in the middle, but I'm really not sure what to think of the book. I've become interested in the whole Waldorf education system, and, at least according to Amazon reviews, this was a must read. The writing was really disjointed and a bit hard to follow at times, maybe because of the translation from German. And some of the claims that were made were so outrageous! But I plugged along . . . 1 - because it was a short book, and 2 - because I completely agree with some of the things that were said about more imaginative, natural play for kids. I'm off to find other Waldorf books!

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of insight into the philosophy of Waldorf Education. I love the way the approach allows children to go back to more natural living and that it provides them with more freedom and wonder in their lives.

[Deirdre K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Possibly a poor translation but I didn't like the writing style and didn't learn much beyond the basic premise.