Waldorf in the Home

Barbie and Violence
by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
We’ve had a lot of response from readers to our articles “Barbie Come Home, All is Forgiven!” and “Barbie Dolls.” Here’s more, on a study describing children’s destructive behavior toward Barbie dolls.

The source for this information is an article in the British press called “Barbarism begins with Barbie, the doll children love to hate” by Alexandra Frea, Social Affairs Correspondent for The Times (12/19/2005).

Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life
by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD

Marshall Rosenberg, PhD, developed Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and explains it in this clearly-written book book that can help you "Create your life, your relationships and your world in harmony with your values." I've found NVC to be really life-changing and am a strong supporter. I really recommend you read the book and watch one of our videos (under the heading "Nonviolent Communication" in our on-line store). Then find a practice group near you! For more information, you can visit their website at www.cnvc.org. --Rahima

Book, 222 pages.

"Healing from the Heart"
Keynote address by Thomas Cowan, MD

Today's emphasis on fad diets and nutritional supplements makes it truly challenging to know just what to feed our children and ourselves. Dr. Cowan draws on the work of Dr. Weston A. Price (traditional nutrition), Rudolf Steiner and others to show that the heart and digestion are foundational for health. Steiner's insights into the circulatory system and the physical and spiritual aspects of the heart can affect our definition of health and the treatment of illness. They can also provide a new metaphor or paradigm for nonhierarchical living, noncentralized farming, and so forth--a brilliant talk you won't want to miss.

Audio recording in CD format.

"How We Teach is What We Teach"
Keynote address by Elizabeth Seward, PhD

Children learn more than they are taught, and Waldorf education reminds us of the crucial importance of the physical, the human and the intangible environment which children live and breathe. In the Waldorf approach, a conversation is fostered between student and lesson content and between student and teacher that encompasses the mundane and the sublime. Some key features of this conversational gesture are mutual respect, interest, nonjudgmental listening or observation, and the desire and need to know other perspectives and embrace difference. Through this, our children learn how to learn.

Audio recording in CD format.

"Dare to Parent Authentically"
Keynote address by William Bento

Conditions today have made raising the next generation a mission extraordinaire! Who dares be a parent in these complex times? The answer: "Only those who still know deep in their hearts that the next generation is the only hope for humanity's sanity." We need to be who we are authentically so our children will see, hear and experience the glorious mystery that men and women of all ages have paid homage to, the one single truth we know as Love. Dare to parent in the virtue of Hope and live in the power of Love!

In this presentation, William adapts Steiner's "Six Basic Exercises" to form a path of inner development for parents.

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"Nourishing Ourselves, Nourishing Our Children"
Workshop by Thomas Cowan, MD

The research of nutrition pioneer Dr. Weston Price was the first to show how food determines health in teeth, bones, organs, growth and reproduction. Dr. Cowan discusses the power of eating traditional foods, locally grown and traditionally prepared. This approach has recently been made more accessible through Sally Fallon's book Nourishing Traditions.

Audio recording in CD format.

"Adolescence: A Grail Journey of the Heart"
Workshop by William Bento

As the biological chemistry alters throughout puberty, the delicate subtle sheath of the heart transforms, setting the soul upon a universal quest that will involve 16 gateways to maturity. Using the story of Parzival as a metaphor for our times, this presentation explores the meaning of the transformation and the gateways for youth today.

Audio recording in CD format.

"Sacraments of Social Life"
Workshop by Willliam Bento

This workshop weaves together the sacred and the artistic as ways of meeting the mystery that lives between us. William invites us to explore the seven traditional sacraments in the Christian church and how they can be expanded to help elevate daily life to the realm of the sacred.

Video recording in DVD format.

"Needs, Values, Wants and Hopes"
Workshop by Lorene Allen

Recognition of needs is a key to peace and connection with our children. This workshop explores the skills of self-connection and silent empathy, with an emphasis on NVC and small children. Because this workshop assumes a basic level of familiarity with NVC, you might also want to order either the CD or DVD "Introduction to Nonviolent Communication" by John Cunningham or Marshall Rosenberg's book Nonviolent Communication, A Language of Life. We also offer the workshop by John Cunningham "But I Don't Have any Needs!"

Audio recording in CD format.

"Crafting Requests that Create Connection"
Workshop by Lorene Allen

In this workshop we investigate the difference between requests and demands. How can upsets turn into connection? How do my needs contribute to community building? Because this assumes a basic familiarity with the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), you might also want to purchase "Introduction to Nonviolent Communication," a workshop by John Cunningham in CD or DVD format.

Audio recording in CD format.

"The Three-Legged Stool of Waldorf Education"
Workshop by Elizabeth Seward, PhD

Teaching is a constant balancing act. Waldorf education rests on the three-legged stool of the strengths of the individual teacher; the needs of the children; and the insights and overview gained from a thorough study of Steiner's indications. In this workshop, we identify common stages of child development and explore ways in which teachers and homeschooling parents adapt the curriculum according to their own individual strengths.

Audio Recording in CD format.

"Who's Helping Whom? Working with Your Child's Angel"
Workshop by Myra McPherson

How do we help our children go to sleep, trust the world, or take on a challenge? There is help available from the spiritual world as parents and angels work in partnership to support our children's development. Learn some ways to stop, look and listen with our hearts for guidance.

"Sharing Stories with your Children"
Workshop by Daena Ross

How can you make up stories that are age appropriate? How do you memorize stories, and how much should you dramatize them? This storytelling workshop will help you build confidence and investigate themes and sources of inspiration that can enrich your life as well as your children's.

Audio recording in CD format.

[Esther Leisher has shared ways in which she celebrated many seasonal and religious festivals with her children when they were growing up. Here she describes how she created a religious mood in the home during the days before Easter.]
Keeping Good Friday with the Family
by Esther Leisher

The days before Easter are each a part of a whole. Good Friday is followed by Holy Saturday, a busy day of preparation that expresses confidence that Easter Sunday will bring rebirth, happiness, sunrise. Many resources offer suggestions for celebrating Easter, but few consider the days before, the days of Holy Week, which are part of the process. I wanted the somber Good Friday mood to enrich our family celebrations, enhancing the meaning of Easter Sunday. "Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."