Ancient Artworks: Mirroring the Developmental Processes in Young Children’s Drawings

Online Course with Ken Smith
December 3, 2025 | 5:30-7pm PT

One of the remarkable ideas that informs Waldorf education is that the young child moves through the stages and processes seen in human evolution. The recapitulation of these processes may be readily observed in the spontaneous drawings of young children and in how they mirror ancient artworks found all around the world.

Waldorf education emphasizes that the child’s state of consciousness is changing as they grow. Not only are their bodies growing and developing, but how they experience themselves, the world around them, and their sense of knowing and under-standing is also changing and evolving.

This archetypal process of development is written into the core of the human being and the child. In following this timeless path, they work their way through layers of formation, building themselves up during the course of childhood into a contemporary person. As educators, we should understand this path and the strata the child is working through each year so that we can bring recognition and support.

For over 30 years, Ken has been studying art, visiting ancient sites, and combining his fascination for the artistic creativity of humanity with the wisdom that informs the Waldorf curriculum. He will share images that will help bridge the art of the ancients and the children in front of us today.

The course is open to everyone interested in the theme.