Waldorf in the Home

A mother wrote asking about how to encourage her daughter's imaginative play:
I'm a mom of three girls and also run a Waldorf-inspired home daycare.

I'm considering taking waldorf teaching training or lifeways training next summer but would love some ideas if you have them.

Rahima replies:
One of the things I'm hearing in your description is aptly described by Steiner (where escapes me): when you address something directly with a young child, he or she naturally resists or runs the other way. He was referring to trying to teach the child something directly (early academics, today), but the same principle would apply if you're trying to "get her to play."

It sounds like she needs less attention on the matter and more what I call "benign neglect, " which means providing a safe and inviting environment, but then not appearing to be aware of her. In this case, it would probably involve giving up any ideas of how things "should" be for her. In fact, she'll probably stop sitting on the couch and being bored once there's nothing in you to push against.

Another key that will probably make a big difference is a new understanding of how imitation works. The piece we often miss is that the children need to see us doing real work, which will then be expressed, transformed, in their play. So, rather than playing next to or with her, is there real work that you could be doing? Is there anything she could do with you? LifeWays is wonderful about "having life be the curriculum," so could she, in fact, help with baking or with dishes or with folding laundry (again, not as a chore or as a teaching moment, but (remembering that young children are not goal directed), doing it lightly, enjoying being together, perhaps with a song?

Or could you start making something during the time when you and she are home alone? Perhaps start sewing a doll that will in fact be a Christmas present for her (there are wonderful kits for sale). Or making little Christmas presents or embroidering cloth napkins for every child in your program?

If you get out of the picture, she may end up playing on her own--or perhaps she's "played out" and simply needs quiet time? Consider how her day is "breathing," i.e. the balance of activity and quiet time for her. Are she and the other children having a quiet time in the afternoon, or is everything busy all day? Even if children don't nap, a rest time after lunch enables the young child to digest all the impressions from a busy morning.

Those are a couple of things that occurred to me--I'd be interested to hear what you do, and how things change. Also, try taking your question into your sleep: make a mental picture of your daughter as you see and love her, and then give over this situation to her angel, asking for inspiration. Sometimes just doing this can change a puzzling or frustrating situation, and sometimes we'll be blessed with a wonderful new thing to try.
All the best! --Rahima

"The Next Frontier in Education"
Keynote Address by Michael Mendizza

The next great challenge in education is reaching and engaging adults-moms and dads, families, coaches and communities-to become what Joseph Chilton Pearce refers to as the "model imperative" for our children. Michael discusses how only such a model can mentor a new generation of children and through time a new intelligent, creative, sustainable culture.

Audio Recording in CD format (60 minutes).

"Cultilvating Mastery--Preparing Untroubled Children to Live in a Troubled World" Keynote by Regina Mason

Through her varied experiences over the years as a home schooling parent and Waldorf teacher, Regina will share insights into the effects on our children's development of the current trend toward permissiveness. How can parents instill a sense of order without sacrificing their child's spontaneity, independence, and creativity? Regina will delve into the issues surrounding authority, discipline, and helping children cultivate the mastery to navigate the world's social waters.

Audio Recording in CD format (60 minutes).

Questions of Discipline
Workshop by Regina Mason

Regina continues with the discussion of ideas covered in her keynote, "Cultivating Mastery: Preparing Untroubled CHildren to Live in a Troubled World." They include questions such as: Where does true authority come from-especially when you're trying not to be authoritarian? What is discipline beyond the definition of punishment? How can we provide "discipline" without stifling our child's creativity and spontaneity? In homeschooling, how can we move gracefully between the roles of "parent" and "teacher," and how can child-led learning succeed without creating childhood "tyrants?"

Audio Recording in CD format.

"Homeschooling--Which Style is Right for You?"
Keynote by Regina Mason

Explore the pro's and con's of unschooling with an unrestricted environment, unschool in a designed environment, "school at home," and the homeschool cooperative. How can you create a "Waldorf home" if not working directly with the Waldorf curriculum? Regina shares her experiences with all three and the notable long-term effects of all styles (both gains and losses), followed by discussion.

Audio Recording in CD format.

"It's Never Too Early (to Prepare for Adolescence)"
Keynote Address by Betty Staley

Adolescence doesn't fall out of the sky! Healthy parenting through the early stages of childhood and through the golden years of 7-10 sets the stage for this very important transitional period when we may feel we are dancing on a tightrope with 10-16 year olds. Betty gives a clear description of the path of parenting by discussing five themes of parenting and how they change from early childhood through adolescence.

Audio Recording in CD format (60 minutes).

Family Matters or "Homemaking 101 for Busy Parents"
Workshop by Rahima Baldwin Dancy

In this video with Rahima, you are invited to consider the four levels of family life-physical, rhythmical, emotional and spiritual-as a practical lens for making your home life more harmonious and supportive for all members of the family. Something you'll want to watch again and again over time, as your family changes.

Video Recording in DVD format.

"Anthroposophy 101 for Parents"
Workshop by Cynthia Hoven

Rudolf Steiner envisioned an education that would educate the child towards freedom, and the fundamental principles of his curriculum were inspired by his enduring commitment to understanding the spiritual nature of the human being and the world. This will be a "blitz introduction" to Steiner's world view, known as anthroposophy or "wisdom of the human being."

Audio Recording in CD format.

Children and Sports--When and How?
Workshop by Michael Mendizza

Soccer, T-ball--when to start team sports? Or lessons in competitive sports? What about children with special drive or talent? Michael shares his insights on play and sports gained from extensive interviews with star athletes about playing "in the zone" and interview with their coaches. Learn what really works to encourage, not scare or scar your child.

Audio Recording in CD format.

"Seven Principles for Optimum Learning, Performance and Well-Being"
Workshop by Michael Mendizza

Gathering from years of research on optimum states (being in the zone, flow, play), Michael shares the seven characteristics that optimum states have in common and applies these to the adult-child relationship. This can help adults rediscover the genius of their childhood and transform parenting and mentoring relationships.

Audio Recording in CD format.

"Waldorf Preschool and Kindergarten: A Preparation for Life"
Workshop by Daena Ross

What is unique about the Waldorf curriculum for preschool and kindergarten, and how does it prepare children for work in the grades? Daena gives a picture of how the foundation is laid for academic work, includeing stories, verses, games and songs.

Audio Recording in CD format.

"Preparing Children for Healthy Relationships"
Workshop by Rainbow Rosenbloom

In today's world, we can give our children no greater gift than cultivating their capacities for building healthy relationships. Discover how the Waldorf curriculum through the grades can become the vehicle for teaching relationship-building skills.

AudioRecording in CD format.

Recipe for a Non-Wheat Cake
From Esther Leisher

At the October Waldorf in the Home conference in Boulder some of you asked for the recipe that I use for making a non-wheat cake. Here it is, based on millet. Double the recipe if you are going to make the winter scene for Celebrating a Winter Birthday.

You can replace 1/2 cup of millet flour with barley flour if you prefer. Using all millet flour, though, makes a remarkably delicious cake. Use goat yogurt if cow's milk bothers your children. Goat butter is also now available. The reason for the yogurt is that when you mix acidic yogurt and alkaline baking soda you get more leavening. It is one more way to make the cake lighter. Whole grains are heavy, inevitably.

Celebrating A Winter Birthday
By Esther Leisher

Here is one of the ways I used the cake I described in Recipe for a Non-Wheat Cake. Mark has a winter birthday and for his ninth birthday I wanted something unusual. The ninth year brings a significant change. Gravity seems to take hold of children inwardly about that time. It is a time to dig in the earth, build a shed, be practical. Children want to know that they are part of the everyday world. A story about how a star came to earth is not okay any longer, nor is anything too sweet or dreamy. On their birthday they want their friends to come for sledding, to play games or have a treasure hunt. Somewhere around nine or ten they get very sensitive about anything they consider "childish."

Creating a Christmas Mood
from Esther Leisher

Mood affects everyone in the family--older children, young children, spouses.
How you feel about Christmas is going to be what they think Christmas is. If you
are frazzled, hurried, cross, they will be, too. If you approach the season with
wonder, something in you changes, and they will know the difference. This inner
wonder will tell you that magic and mystery sound in the long silent darkness of
those nights--you need only listen. Special things can happen at this time of
year, if you are willing. Listen to the magic and the mystery, then let them speak in the rituals and activities of the season.

"How to Get Your Child to Do What You Want without Talking Yourself to Death" (Through Age 7)
by Nancy Blanning

Practical ways to create harmony and avoid problems through developing a respectful understanding of children's consciousness and adapting yours more appropriately.

Audio recording in CD format.

"Helping Our Children Get into their Bodies and Live More Comfortably"
(Through age 9)
by Nancy Blanning
This workshop will help you understand what the process of "inhabiting" the body is, along with practical tools for helping young boys and fidgety girls get the type and quantity of movement they crave.

Audio recording in CD format.

"Readiness for First Grade"
by Daena Ross

Explore the sensory-motor, physical and emotional signs that a child is developmentally ready to go on to reading and writing and why it's best to wait for academics until then.

Audio recording in CD format.

Santa Claus and Presents
By Esther Leisher

Our family decided we wanted the holiday season to feel more sacred, without the commercialization of Santa Claus and mounds of presents. Because our household was rich in traditions of our own, our children found Christmas totally wonderful even though they got only two presents, and those were not from Santa Claus. Here is what we did with our four children.