ABSTRACT
There has been a worldwide interest in expanding and deepening Steiner Waldorf knowledge of and pedagogical approaches to the very young child (before the age of three). An international group has been studying this in conferences and groups, and from it comes a better understanding not only about the stages of development but also about how to enable children to integrate with their physical body, with social relationships and with the wider world. Particularly important is how to work with the parents in partnership. Self-initiated movement is essential, and therefore Steiner practitioners believe that children should be given the time and space to begin to roll over, to come to crawling position, to sit upright and to stand, without assistance from adults or devices such as baby walkers and bouncers. The areas in Steiner Waldorf practice which focus on the very young child are developing in the UK and around the world.
