Conference focuses on early years (From Salisbury Journal)

Conference focuses on early years

2:25pm Monday 9th November 2009 in News By Karen Bate

EARLY years education was the focus of a recent international teacher conference held at Ringwood Waldorf School.

More than 100 teachers from Australia and Brazil attended the conference to discuss learning for the under sixes through play.

It followed the publication of controversial findings from a benchmark national review of early years education - calling for a delay to the start of formal schooling for children.

Professor Robin Alexander, head of the Cambridge Review of Primary Education, says children shouldn’t start school until the age of six and league tables should be scrapped.

Bosses at the Ringwood Waldorf School welcome the results of his review – the most comprehensive look at the UK’s primary schools in the past 40 years – as they form the cornerstone of Steiner education.

Pupils at Steiner Waldorf schools don’t begin formal classes until six and in kindergarten children are encouraged to learn through play such as dance – the focus of the Ringwood conference.

“Children most readily learn through play,” said school spokesman Christine Polyblank. “Their innate curiosity and ability is strengthened through a range of play experiences.”

The conference saw delegates enjoy a keynote speech from Australasian Steiner representative Renate Long-Breipohl, as well as hands-on workshops.