Background to The Art of Caring – A Childcare course based on indications by Rudolf Steiner
This course was first developed in response to the need for more specific training for those who wish to work with children under three in various childcare settings out of the insights of Rudolf Steiner regarding the very young child in the first three years of life.
It is also suitable for parents who made the decision to care for their young child at home themselves, either full-time or part-time. Playgroup leaders will benefit from deepening their understanding of the needs and the development of the young child, however, the presence of parents in playgroups and the relatively short period of 2-3 hours per week will require aims and methods which differ from those needed in family-based or centre-based childcare.
The course outline which is suggested here aims to fulfill the need for professional training, be it in a family setting or an institutional setting. It supports the development of understanding, attitudes and skills equally, which leads to a course content giving equal weight to acquiring the knowledge of child development and care, the study of care practices, and the self-development of the educator in meeting children, colleagues, and parents.
Dr Renate Long-Breipohl 2020