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Birth to Seven Certificate - the details

Course Progression

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First you complete the Birth-to-Three Certificate

The birth-to-three certificate work is an integrated program of study that provides a philosophical, practical, and artistic foundation for the care of young children and for supporting family life. Waldorf education forms the basis of the program, complemented by the work and research of the Pikler Institute in Hungary.

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Beyond The First Three Years
You will develop insights and practical capacities for work with children as they emerge from the protected period of the first three years. As the child moves beyond these earliest years, the teacher is prepared to offer a new quality of relationship with the child, with transforming rhythms and gentle changes in the content of daily life.

 

The Kindergarten Years
With the first phases of the development of movement, language, and social life now in place, children look more clearly toward the group and look further outward into the world.

Learn more about the program:

"I feel blessed to have chosen Sophia’s Hearth as my teacher education program. I feel that I have a chest of treasures that will continue to grow and take form in my heart. This program has given me the tools to bring greater awareness to my senses so that I can use them in my work with the little ones."

- Teacher Education Student

Course Themes for Birth to Seven

  • Anthroposophical Studies and the Inner Life of the Teacher;

  • Child Development I and II: Physical, cognitive, social-emotional and spiritual development, gross and fine motor development, reflexes and sensory development. Pikler Institute research and practice in infant and toddler motor development and care is included.

  • Language Development;

  • Nutrition;

  • Social and Emotional Development of Children;

  • Children’s Health;

  • Working with Pedagogical Law;

  • The Birth of the Etheric and First Grade Readiness;

  • Spiritual Embryology and Fetal Development;

  • Gender Issues and Inclusion

  • Study of the Senses;

  • Child Observation and Child Study;

  • Festival Life for Young Children and their Families;

  • Gardening with Children and Biodynamic Agriculture;

  • Deepening Our Knowledge of the Child: Reflex Maturation;

  • Building Relationships with Parents;

  • Biography Studies;

  • Communication with Adults;

  • Exploring the Social Mission of Waldorf Education;

  • Parenting and Teaching in a Complex World;

  • Adult Movement for the Educator: Spacial dynamics, Eurythmy:

  • Arts and Handcrafts for the Adult: Music, creative speech, painting, doll making, creating puppets, etc.;

  • Children: Imagination, Inspiration, and Intuition. Circle Songs, Verse and Games for the Kindergarten Child;

  • Storytelling and Puppetry Arts: Fairy Tales and Other Pedagogical Applications;

  • Independent research projects.

 

Questions?
We are here to explore Waldorf early childhood teacher education at Sophia’s Hearth with you. Call (603.357.3755), read our frequently asked questions, email us, or if possible, plan a visit to meet with a teacher education faculty member, along with a chance to observe our on-site programs with infants, toddlers, and young children.
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