The Art of Play and Wonder:
Foundations in Steiner Education
(4-6 years old)
Two-day in-person intensive, 4-5 April 2025
Welcome in the Autumn term with one of two invigorating Early Childhood intensives for learning, fellowship and fun. This in-person intensive can be taken to complement our part-time online Early Childhood course or can be taken without any prior experience.
This two-day workshop series, held on April 4-5, 2025, is tailored for educators and caregivers working with children aged 4-6, focusing on the distinctive elements of Steiner Education for early childhood. Through a blend of lectures, interactive sessions, and hands-on activities, participants will gain insights into creating holistic, supportive learning environments that honour the developmental needs of young children.
Key topics include building inner strength and inspiration through the cultivation of virtues, storytelling as a foundational practice, and understanding the expression of young children through their drawings, movement, and play. Practical sessions include a woodworking activity led by John Elliot, guidance on setting up intentional play spaces, and the integration of rhymes, songs, and stories to enrich children’s daily routines.
The course emphasises the role of the educator as an artist, providing tools to nurture creativity, curiosity, and connection. Participants will leave with an enhanced understanding of Steiner’s approaches to early childhood education, practical skills for fostering joyful and meaningful interactions, and the inspiration to guide children through this formative stage of development.
This course will give you a certificate of professional development hours referencing the Australian Teacher Professional Standards.
We also offer an Early Childhood Intensive focused on the needs of the 0-3 year old child. Click on the following button to visit the page.
Understanding the expression of young children through their drawings, movement and play is an important part of Early Childhood Steiner education.
Tutors
Paulene Hanna
Paulene Hanna has enjoyed a long career in primary, tertiary and early childhood Steiner education, a special part of which was spent as a teacher helping parents found the St Kilda Steiner Kindergarten in their neighbourhood.
She is happy to share the knowledge and understanding gained over so many years of working with children and families. She believes that her work is enriched by ongoing study of Steiner’s philosophy of human development. This philosophy highlights the importance of the early childhood years as well as the importance of the caregivers’ role.
Paulene is a the mother of three grown children who attended the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School, who have given her and her husband the ongoing joy of being grandparents to eight grandchildren.
Paulene mentors and supports educators, and offers ongoing advocacy for children and their families in the wider community. She acknowledges the challenge that parents and carers face in creating a healthy, happy play space in a very materialistic world, where the role of parenting is often not given much support.
Tania Hungerford
Tania Hungerford has been a teacher in Adult Education working with Anthroposophy for 25 years. A particular area of interest for her is understanding human development and how this understanding can be brought to teaching.
She also teaches Sculpture, Form Drawing, the Twelve Senses, Human Development, the Four Temperaments, Professional Communication and Conflict Resolution, understanding and working with Trauma and developing inclusive teaching practices for working with Children with Individual Learning Needs.
Tania has offered many Professional Development programs to Waldorf Teachers in schools around Australia and in Asia.
Susan Gould
Susan trained as an early childhood educator before attending Aurora Australis Eurythmy School to complete her Diploma of Eurythmy (1999). She then went on to study Curative Eurythmy in England (2001-2003). Since then she has worked in the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School and the Melbourne Therapy Centre taking children and adults for eurythmy therapy. She continues to work with individuals and groups and is passionate about supporting people on their journey to maintain health.
John Elliot
John Elliott has brought young children from Kindergarten to Class 4 developmentally invaluable experiences through whittling and shaping wood that stimulate the children’s fine motor skills and will.
Content and timetable
NOTE: This is an in-person events and no recordings will be made.
Fees and Fees Policy
Fees: $525
Early bird price – expired
Refund Policy
Please notify us by email to c.kwong@steinerseminar.edu.au
if you will be withdrawing from the intensive.
- If you withdrawal on or before 20 March 2025, an Administration Fee of $120 applies.
- If you withdrawal is after 20 March 2025 – 3 April 2025, an Administration fee of $180 applies.
- No refunds will be considered once the workshop begins.
Accomodation
There are a number of options for accommodation:
Commercial
- Air BnB – https://www.airbnb.com.au/warranwood-australia/stays
- Bungunyah Apartments – perfect if you are bringing your family – https://www.bungunyahapartments.com.au/
Billeting
We may be able to organise billeting for a few students depending on availability of rooms in nearby homes.
Camping or Seminar classroom
The Seminar can offer basic accommodation of a tent space or classroom (to be shared), shared kitchen, bathrooms, and shower. You will need to bring your own bedding, towels, toiletries.
Please let us know if you would like to stay on the Seminar grounds.
Food
Morning and afternoon tea and Saturday dinner will be provided.
Café
There is a very good café a 10 minute walk from the Seminar for breakfast, or lunch. Lunchtime food order can be phone through at morning tea time and collected during the lunch break.
Grocery stores
There are two small shopping strips for groceries and cafes within a 5 minute drive of the Seminar at McAdam Square and North Ringwood. You are welcome to use the Seminar’s kitchen for meal preparation.
Transportation
There is a SkyBus service from Tullamarine Airport to the city. For more information see https://www.skybus.com.au/southern-cross-station/
Two train lines connect Southern Cross station with Ringwood, our closest train station. They are the Lilydale line and Belgrave line. From the Ringwood station, take the 364 bus to the front of the Seminar at 37A Wellington Park Drive.
For more information about public transportation in Victoria see https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey
What to bring:
Clothing and toiletries
Because there will be lots of movement during the intensive, please pack comfortable, loose clothing and shoes that are easy to move in. Melbourne in mid-March is warm in the day and cool at nights, so please bring layers for the evening. Include a raincoat and Eurythmy slippers if you have them.
Study material
- Notepads or main lesson books, pencil or pen
- Folder for holding handouts
Bedding
If you are staying on the premises you will need to bring:
- Camping mattress
- Sheets, pillow
- Blankets, doona
- Towel
Contact information
Enrolment enquiries: Robin 03 9876 5199 or email office@steinerseminar.edu.au
Note that this is an in-person event and no recordings will be made.
