Yesterday, Moorland Waldorf Kindergarteners had a wonderful time celebrating May Day. After making garland wreaths for their heads, and adorning the top of the may pole with flowers, the children each gathered a colourful ribbon to wrap around the may pole as they danced.

Traditionally celebrated on the first day of May, as a way to mark the changing seasons, the beautiful colours of the ribbons help us to welcome the new growth that spring brings after winter, and acknowledge that we are again looking forward to long summer days.  

Integrating the cycles of nature with seasonal celebrations throughout the year helps us to incorporate nature and the rhythms of the earth into everyday life. This is an integral part of a Waldorf education and gives us an opportunity to foster a deep connection between children and nature. The rituals throughout the year around these celebrations help children to journey through important transitions and take time to reflect on the passage of time and the significance of the earth and its seasons on our life.

If you’d like to know more about why our seasonal celebrations are such an important part of our school life, or if you would like to talk to us about our curriculum or enrolment for your child, please get in touch by reaching out to us at info@moorlandwaldorf.org or on +44 (0)1287 661206.

‘Glimmer, lantern, glimmer,

Little stars a-shimmer.’ 

The sky was clear and the wind seemed to blow the last light of the day from the sky as we lit up our Martinmas lanterns last Friday. 

At this time of year, we acknowledge that the days are shortening, the nights are getting longer and nature is coming to a period of rest. According to legend, St Martin, who was a Roman soldier stationed in France, came upon a beggar, and was so moved by the beggar’s poverty, that he cut his own cloak in half to give to the beggar. His story reminds us of the importance of acts of kindness during darker days. 

As the sun set, our kindergarten children lit the lanterns they had made and led our gathering in singing well-loved Martinmas songs. Then we set off on a winding walk, finishing in front of a roaring fire, with some hot juice and bread rolls (also made in kindergarten) to warm us from the inside out. 

Being part of a community is also a source of warmth and mutual support, and it’s at these times of celebrating festivals together, with both current and past pupils and their families, that we can really appreciate being part of something that is bigger than our small school. 

If you’d like to know more about why our seasonal celebrations are such an important part of our school life, or if you would like to talk to us about our curriculum or enrolment for your child, please get in touch by reaching out to us at info@moorlandwaldorf.org or on +44 (0)1287 661206.