Failed our steiner toddler group

[Orangeflower7]

I was looking for a smaller more relaxed kind of toddler group for my ds (2.5). Got a bit fed up with the big busy groups lots of ride ons etc..so tried the steiner group. Just met one of the mums from it today who is 'sad it didn't work out for me' and am feeling a bit of a failure.

I'll explain a bit. It went on for ages and we all had to sit round the table and make a woolen spider which to be honest the children were to young to do- ds got frustrated and threw it away. It seemed that it was for the mums really, (craft) I found it stressful as I had to help make the activity so much whereas ds wanted to go play, and there was no choice of activity, all the mums were sat doing the craft activity so the children who were playing didn't have much input really.

The routine was like this (over 2 hrs) Craft-then (adults make snack which children couldn't eat just yet) -singing-then wash hands (line up) then-sit up and eat snack- then story.

I just found it too much direction and sitting down stuff for a 2 year old..although the (mostly little girls) other children seemed very obedient

It is a shame as it would have been a nice change...didn't find it very child centred though. Please tell me it's not just my ds is it, I do know a little about early years and the emphasis is a lot on play, (adult led and child initiated, choice and independence, how does that sit then with steiner?

So back to the big groups we go.

What great names for kids Crystalgall, you are funny!

I'd say the above certainly did reflect the views of an average Steiner parent!

I don't have toddlers now, my youngest is 12 and oldest nearly 20 but I do have experience of both types of education and can say that there are positives and negatives in both.

Both could learn from each other but as time goes on, the Steiner ideas you make fun off are becoming more accepted in the main stream, for instance delaying formal education, as in, more play based learning in the early years has been proved to be a good thing.

Running, TV, toys (i meant plastic crap), coffee, gossip all have their place of course. Depends on how you want your kid to turn out.

:)

But the entire OP 4 years ago (!) was about how the children did not play but sat and watched their mums build woolly crap.

Yes I'm sure many a damaged child has resulted from 'gasp' plastic toys. I wonder how many of the people in prison played with 'gasp'
Plastic toys. Or had mothers who drank coffee.

The only one having a laugh is you, you goady fucker

Have you actually been to a Steiner toddler group? In my experience, the kids do play. They nurture their imaginations with open ended toys and quality equipment rather than being fobbed off with a pile of junk. What's wrong with woolly dolls? Or should we continue to destroy the planets finite resources and provide more throw away plastic that kids have little respect for?
Despite the post being 4 years ago, it certainly has hit a raw point with you.
Name calling isn't very evolved now, is it?

Steiner Stepford Wives play group.

What the hell is Steiner? thank god I haven't heard of it

No way DS would sit crafting all afternoon.

Hello, I think the Steiner playgroup in Glasgow may have changed quite a bit since those experiences in 2011.
We've been going for over a year with my nearly 3 year old daughter and we both love it. It is a friendly accepting group with a lovely Steiner teacher and wonderful volunteer. We follow a similar structure each week which I think helps the children to settle and know what to expect. We usually start with making bread, then play with the toys provided or go outside to play in the garden or sandpit depending on the weather and what folk want to do. We then are enticed back in with the smell of fresh bread and sit all together to feast on fruit, fresh bread rolls, tea and water. We end the session singing songs together. We both love going and find it friendly and fun. I am hoping a Steiner Kindergarten might be developed for my daughter to move into when she's a bit older. I hope this post is helpful. Details of the playgroup are on the Glasgow Steiner facebook page or message me if you'd like more details.

Don't they believe in gnomes or something

@lizhenderson72 you'd be better off starting a new thread than posting on a zombie one.

Most people will read just the OP. If you're advertising the group the local boards may be more useful than AIBU or Chat.

Sounds hellish! Why would anyone think that was fun?! Don't beat yourself up OP. Take DS for a run around instead, much healthier!