Waldorf in the Home

I recently received the newsletter from the Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center and was so impressed with the articles written by their caregivers that I asked permission to share them with you. One of the topics we consider in the LifeWays Training is "The Three R's of Early Childhood: Rhythm, Repetition and Reverence. " This article takes up the topic of rhythms and routines. --Cynthia Aldinger

Thoughts on Rhythms and Routines
from Jaimmie Marx
Caregiver at the Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to participate in my first parent evening at LifeWays. The evening was a great success and I learned a lot from my research, my peers and the parents in attendance. I spoke about the importance of strong daily rhythms in the life of a young child and would like to share some of these ideas with you.

I recently received the newsletter from the Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center and was so impressed with the articles written by their caregivers that I asked permission to share them with you. One of the topics we consider in the LifeWays training is "Three R's of Early Childhood: Rhythm, Repetition and Reverence." This article takes up the topic of reverence. Articles surrounding it deal with rhythm and repetition. --Cynthia

Thoughts on Reverence
By Belinda Kenwood
Caregiver at Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center, who shared these thoughts at a parent evening

I recently received the newsletter from the Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center and was so impressed with the articles written by their caregivers that I asked permission to share them with you. One of the topics we consider in the LifeWays training is "Three Rs of Early Childhood: Rhythm, Repetition and Reverence." In this third article, Abbey writes a bit about repetition. --Cynthia

Happenings in Abbey Suite
By Abbey Weimer
Caregiver, Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center

We all know that Wisconsin’s weather is unpredictable. However, at LifeWays, we know how important it is for children to have outside playtime. It serves not only to explore and expand, but also to stretch and work our muscles. The children have enjoyed being outside [all year], ranging from mild days to puddle jumping, from freezing rain to snowy days. It’s all quite amazing!

The First Hike of Spring
by Esther Leisher

Some celebrations can be so fun and so simple -- not much more than the highlighting of a special day. One of the simplest at our house was celebrating the first hike of spring. All we did was to make a hobo bag for each of us, then go off on the first hike of spring, celebrating Nature’s awakening, and delighting in the increasing light and warmth. We used bandanas (but you could use large cloth napkins) to wrap our lunch in and knotted each onto a dead branch or old sunflower stalk sanded where you hold it. These were our hobo sticks, which each person carried over their shoulder. I carried the extras -- water bottles or whatever -- in a backpack.

I recently received the newsletter from the Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center and was so impressed with the articles written by their caregivers that I asked permission to share them with you. The last of these articles focuses on their Forest Kindergarten, the program for the older chidlren. --Cynthia

Thoughts on Forest Kindergarten
Lori Barian, Kindergarten Teacher,
Milwaukee LifeWays Early Childhood Center

For us in Forest Kindergarten, nature determines our experience and contributes greatly to each day’s “lesson plan.” We sing, “What shall we see there? What shall we hear there? Into the forest. Into the forest,” and then go out the door to see what surprises the forest holds, what it wants to teach us, and what the weather will contribute.

Caterpillars and Butterflies!!!
from Suzanne Down

Suzanne has sent out directions for a simple spring craft project and mini puppet play with your children. Information on some of her wonderful kits follow, and you can subscribe to her newsletter at www.junipertreepuppets.com. --Rahima

Waldorf Without Walls
by Barbara Dewey

Barbara Dewey is internationally known as a consultant on Waldorf Home Schooling. Based in Ohio, she is a frequent presenter at Waldorf in the Home conferences. Here Barbara answers questions about her services. For more information, see www.waldorfwithoutwall.com. --Rahima

I provide individualized homeschool curriculum planning and support for you and your children, resources used by waldorf teachers, specific suggestions for your child, and answers to your questions as they come up throughout the year. This is accomplished through the Internet, fax, mail, or e-mail.

Ennobling, Not Enabling –Bringing Forth the Best in Yourself & Your Children
by Penni Sparks

[This essay on parenting by Penni Sparks is from her monthly newsletter, which you can subscribe to by contacting Tracy@takeheartinc.com. It's a great way to learn where Penni will be speaking and how progress is going on "The Penni Sparks Show," a television pilot that promotes "our kind of insights" on parenting. Go Penni! Penni will be offering two "Preconference Workshops" at the fall conferences: in California, "Surviving and Thriving with your Adolescent and Preteen" for parents with children in grades 5-12; in Colorado, "Growing and Guiding your Young Child." For more information on the conferences and to register for a full afternoon with Penni, click on "Learn More" between the two conference brochures on the right.

Those of you who don't know Penni from our conferences will find that her clarity and humor come across in the four recordings we have of her keynote and workshop sessions: "Parenting and Teaching from the Heart;" "Constructive Parenting: Brick by Brick;" " Honoring the Lost Art of Mothering;" and "Loving Authority: Building Up, Not Tearing Down." --Rahima]