Physical movement is an essential element of Waldorf education, whether it’s marching to count out numbers, practicing Aikido, or engaging in cooperative games, and other athletic activities. The way a child moves their physical body in space gives a window into their inner workings and serves as a guide as to how it is best to serve them in their developmental stage. Movement classes are designed to give each child the opportunity to inhabit their bodies with a grace and confidence that will carry into their adult professional and personal lives.

Movement

From the earliest grades on, outdoor activity and games play an important daily role in children’s lives. Movement activities are developmentally coherent with main lesson material; for example, in the fifth grade, when students study Greek and Roman history, they also participate in an Olympiad. These early activities help build a solid foundation in balance, dexterity, coordination, strength, and spatial body awareness that continues to serve the child in the upper grades.

As children enter middle school, active and refined movement continues to be a vital part of the curriculum. Sixth graders are given the opportunity to explore their capabilities through a large array of exercises and games. They begin to develop a relationship with strength training as well as delving more deeply into competitive play. The year culminates with the Medieval Games, replete with tug-of-war, archery and more.

Seventh and Eighth graders are, more deeply shaping the body that they will wear into adulthood. They are challenged and supported in pushing the edges of their endurance and ability to have a full experience of their muscular, connective and skeletal systems. The important aspects of competitive and cooperative play are kept alive in stride with individually training to compete in the annual track meet in such events as the discus, the javelin and short and long distance running.

Aikido

Here in our new home in the Japanese Cultural and Community Center we have chosen to teach Aikido as a way to connect with the cultural heritage of our surroundings.

Aikido, widely known as the non violent martial art provides students with opportunities to learn about vigorous interactions with each other and physical competence through movement. The practice of falling and rolling is important and integral for the formation of self protection and spatial awareness. Learning to roll, fall and recover from errors and failure are part of the skills needed in navigating life. The interpersonal connection dynamics between students on the mat allows for the development of conflict resolution skills, self-protection, and self knowledge. Bright Water Waldorf School is proud to be able to offer Aikido for Grades 1-8 as a primary movement class in the J's dojo's.