Early Childhood
In the Waldorf tradition, Rudolf Steiner emphasized puppetry as a vital tool for nurturing imagination, creativity, and inner life in young children. Simple, hand-crafted puppets and gentle storytelling offer children opportunities to explore emotions, relationships, and the natural world in a safe and nurturing way. When incorporated into a school’s daily rhythm, puppet plays can mark transitions, introduce seasonal themes, or close the day with calm and reflection. Regular engagement with puppetry not only fosters wonder and artistic expression but also supports social-emotional development, helping children connect deeply with themselves, their peers, and the larger rhythms of classroom life.
“Puppetry is healing and offers the children a pathway toward developing their wholeness…Puppetry is a subtle but powerful healing gift for all, children and adults alike.”
— rudolf Steiner
Puppetry Program
Our puppetry program brings the magic of Waldorf education into early childhood classrooms. Rooted in Rudolf Steiner’s understanding of imagination and rhythm, these workshops introduce educators and children to the art of simple, nature-based puppetry.
Through crafting puppets from natural materials, storytelling with gesture and song, and creating a gentle stage atmosphere, we nurture wonder and reverence in young children. Educators are guided in choosing stories, weaving seasonal themes, and presenting puppet plays in ways that foster imagination, inner calm, and joy.
Course Structure
1. Introduction
(Week 1)
Goal: Introduce educators/caregivers to the purpose of puppetry in early childhood.
Content:
The role of imagination in Steiner/Waldorf pedagogy.
Why simple puppets (wool, felt, wood) nurture inner life.
Demonstration of a short seasonal puppet show.
2. Puppet Making Workshop
(Weeks 2–3)
Goal: Equip participants to create simple, beautiful puppets.
Content:
Needle-felting or sewing finger puppets and table puppets.
Use of natural materials (wool, silk, wood).
Care of puppets as “beloved friends” rather than disposable toys.
3. Storytelling & Rhythm
(Weeks 4–5)
Goal: Learn to weave stories with movement, gesture, and song.
Content:
Choosing tales: nature stories, folk tales, seasonal verses.
Storytelling without books—using memory, rhythm, and repetition.
Incorporating music and verse into puppet plays.
4. Staging & Atmosphere
(Week 6)
Goal: Learn how to present puppetry in a reverent and artistic way.
Content:
Simple stages (silk cloths, wooden stands, candlelight).
Creating a warm atmosphere with lighting, song, and tone.
Guiding children into quiet, receptive watching.
5. Practice & Performance
(Weeks 7–8)
Goal: Bring it all together for the children.
Content:
Participants practice their puppet show with feedback.
Performance for a small group of children in the center.
Reflection circle with educators on children’s responses.
6. Closing
(Week 9)
Goal: Encourage sustainability and integration into daily rhythm.
Content:
How to build seasonal puppet traditions.
Encouraging educators to continue crafting stories and puppets.
Resources for ongoing inspiration (Steiner lectures, WECAN books, storytelling circles).
