Waldorf in the Home

A preschool teacher asked for help: "My class dynamics are just unbelievable. I have 12 boys and 3 girls. All age 3. I work everyday on teaching them how to relate socially but I still feel like I am drowning in temper tantrums, aggressive behavior, and yelling (them, not me).

I need some advice that I can do on a larger scale. I use the word "no" firmly when there is dangerous or aggressive behavior. I separate them for safety when a child is overly excited and needs some calm "down time" or when they have been overly aggressive. But everyday it is the same yelling, same fighting, same behavior.

Any suggestions on something to help me make it through the rest of the school year? I have a degree in Education and I feel as lost as if I didn't spend a day in school."

The following article is by guest writer Pam Leo, author of Connection Parenting. See, also, Esther Leisher's article Santa and Presents.

The Gift Every Child Really Wants

By Pam Leo
"My favorite part of Christmas is all the fun we have getting ready for Christmas (and the presents)." -Maggie Gray at age 7

The Bunny and the Snowman
by Suzanne Down

The following craft project, poem, staging information, and puppet making kit are all available from master puppeteer Suzanne Down at www.junipertreepuppets.com.

You Are Your Child's First Teacher
by Rahima Baldwin Dancy

384 pages.

Synopsis by Meryn G. Callander
©1998, see http://thewellspring.com/TWO

The importance of what our children learn in the home and through their relationship with us forms the irreplaceable foundation of all that comes later. Mother, childbirth educator, midwife, and Waldorf educator, Baldwin aims to deepen our understanding of the nature of the young child as a whole being--body, mind, emotions, and spirit--so enabling us to meet their needs for balanced development.

It is Baldwin's sensitive, sincere, and ever-so-natural tending to the soul and spirit, as well as mind and body, of the newborn and young child, that makes this a very special book.

Celebrating Winter Solstice
from Esther Leisher

The Sun's return -- what joy! The weak sun of mid-winter draws in its breath, drawing in new life at this time of deepest darkness. To celebrate, you can create a festival for the darkest night with a verse and a song. Make a Sun Cake and light a fire or a candle to rejoice in the return of the Light. Then the following morning greet the day with joy. Snow and cold may reign yet a while, but the Light becomes stronger every day.

Mid-Winter Thoughts
from Esther Leisher

Cultivating a spiritual approach to the solstices will be different for each person, but for me it comes from living with the soul of the Earth. Her upwelling joy and life in spring, the warmth and light of summer, the mellow, contemplative quality of autumn and the deep inwardness of the darkness of winter. Experiencing the dawns, the sunsets and the seasons with the Earth throughout the year is something that all of us do to some extent, consciously or unconsciously. Making it conscious adds to the joy. Whatever thoughts and activities you choose, bring your natural reverence to full strength. A brief meditation (3 minutes?) on one of the verses or songs you want to use would be a place to begin. Or go out and speak to the Sun or the Earth. Then you can plan the outer forms.

Introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Workshop by John Cunningham

Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, is used around the world-and increasingly by Waldorf parents. This is a lively and clear presentation of the basic principles of listening empathically and the four elements of communicating-observations, feelings, needs and requests. A great accompaniment for Marshall's book!

Audio recording in CD format.

Next Steps in NVC: "I don't have any needs!"
Workshops by John Cunningham

Our culture teaches women to put themselves last and teaches men to ignore their emotions and underlying needs. In this workshop we will approach "needs" as healthy expressions of soul life and a key to compassionate communication (nonviolent communication, or NVC, developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D.).

Audio recording in CD format.

Next Steps in NVC: Empathy and Self-Empathy
Workshops by John Cunningham

NVC is about being in connection with others, not about "rote techniques." Self-empathy, or a practice of discovering what you are feeling and needing, is the key to first defusing your own reactions so you can listen empathically and understand others as they would want to be understood.

Audio recording in CD format.

The Waldorf Experience
by Charlottesville Waldorf School

Although focusing on one school, this DVD would be a valuable tool for anyone involved in school outreach and for parents who want to learn more about Waldorf education--or have something to show a friend, sister or the in-laws. Professionally done by MoonStar Films, it contains five sections that can be watched separately:

Beyond Waldorf (9 minutes)
Provides the voices of alumni showing what they have done in high school, college and beyond (Charlottesville Waldorf School offers K-8).

Our Curriculum (20 minutes)
Covers the breadth and depth of the Waldorf curriculum from nursery through 8th grade. The five most frequently asked questions about Waldorf education are also addressed.

Waldorf Relationships (6 minutes)
Students, teachers, and parents discuss the extraordinary, often life-long bonds that develop among students in the course of a Waldorf education.

Testimonials (17 minutes)
Students, parents, professors, educators, philanthropists and other professionals describe the virtues of a Waldorf education and remark upon the results and outcomes that the Waldorf approach can engender.

Seed for Change (15 minutes)
This documentary follows the efforts of the Charlottesville Waldorf Foundation to build the greenest school in America.

Together, these chapters introduce the richness and uniqueness of Waldorf education to families considering their many educational alternatives. Highly recommended!

DVD in attractive case with insert on Waldorf education, 67 minutes.

Loving Authority: Building Up, Not Tearing Down
Workshop by Penni Sparks

Penni offers practial ways to meet everyday parenting frustrations with clarity and kindness. This workshop has at least 50 people every time she offers it!

Audio recording in CD format.