Waldorf in the Home

"Letting Stories Teach"
Workshop by Eugene Schwartz

It is no exaggeration to say that stories are the most powerful teaching resource available to both parents and teachers, having been the primary means for transmitting religious truths and cultural values from time immemorial. Explore ways stories may be used to convey information, ameliorate psychological problems, and stimulate healthy social interchange among children. [Note: Eugene is the author of Why the Setting Sun Turns Red and Other Stories for Children and an expert on curative or pedagogical stories and using stories in the curriculum]

"Supporting Your Child's Growing Mind"
Workshop by Dee Joy Coulter, Ed.D.

The developmental time line from age 3 to 12 contains some surprising times when special needs and opportunities arise. Dee addresses the most important neurological shifts that children make during these years and ways parents can recognize and support them. Contains a wealth of practical suggestions.

"Create Harmony in your Relationships"
Workshop by Susan Kaplan

Amidst all the demands of parenting, how can you value your partner and build on your strengths? Learn how to build bridges, deepen the four levels of your relationship (body, mind, heart and soul), energize your relationship zest, and how to use your "heart camera."

"The Hidden Depth in Fairy Tales"
Workshop by Thesa Kallinikos

Discover what lies hidden within fairy tales and why they speak so strongly to the young child (through first grade). Learn how to select and tell fairy tales for children of different ages.

"Freedom of Choice or Freedom from Choice?
Workshop by Eugene Schwartz

Is there a difference between the parenting role and the teaching role? In this session for parents, teachers and home schoolers, Eugene explores ways of distinguishing between the varying expectations of the two roles and ways in which your child benefits by responding to a "formed" approach. He also discusses implications of recent research by Judith Rich Miller (The Nurture Assumption) on the relationship between parental and peer influences.

"Neurology and Nurture: Supporting Our Children in Challenging Times"
Keynote by Dee Joy Coulter, Ed.D.

Because today's children will need to cope with more stress and cultivate more resiliency than ever before, it is vital to offer the guidance they need for living into their souls' destinies. This will call for new understandings and new strategies. Dr. Coulter discusses some of the important neurological findings that can point the way toward these new strategies and then explores a wide range of practices and activities that can make parenting fun and successful for the children, while nourishing parents as well.

"Parenting by H.E.A.R.T~Resurrecting the Family"
Keynote by Cynthia Wand

What is at the heart of our families? What is at the heart of our lives? What lies at the core of our values? Virtues are qualities that provide the framework for creating a meaningful life. They are universally valued by all faiths and cultures and form the content of our character. By exploring and resurrecting the purity, meaning and power of virtue, we will redefine what it is to create a family and parent from that place of inner strength.

"Creating Vibrant Communities of Learning for Our Children"
Keynote by David Darcy

We simultaneously participate in many different communities, with all their attendant joys and frustrations. Whether our child's community of learning is at a school or at home, the dynamics of community are part of the fabric of learning. We will explore the dynamics that exist in healthy and challenging communities, as well as the ideals of the "three-fold social order" brought by Rudolf Steiner. How can we, as adults, take up the challenges of community so that our own learning will be an inspiration to our children?

"Courageous Parenting: Changing Our Families and the World"
Keynote by Nancy Jewel Poer

The family in today's world has been described as a "bearer of culture." Having explored our own values through the preceding keynotes, how can we create the quality of life we want for our families in the face of forces like commercialism that are working so powerfully against our efforts? How can our parenting impact the world situation, and can we know what the effects of our actions will be on our children? Nancy shares her life-long experience as a parent and grandparent, educator and activist for culture change.

"Surviving Parenting with the Help of Steiner's Six Basic Exercises"
Workshop by Betty Staley

Everyday situations often cause parents to lose their composure and react. Working with Rudolf Steiner's six basic exercises is a powerful way to help us make parenting a positive and creative experience.

"Anthroposophical Foundations of Waldorf Education"
Workshop by Daena Ross

What lies behind the Waldorf approach? Join Daena as she explores basic concepts from Anthroposophy that underlie the Waldorf approach to child development and education. Clear and understandable.

"Honoring the Spiritual Feminine"
Workshop by Nancy Poer

Sophia Wisdom, the universal spiritual feminine knowing of the eternal, was once revered. In our era of materialism, egotism and destructive domination of the natural world, we are called consciously to renew in our hearts and communities, this life-giving interconnectedness to spirit, earth, all nature, and one another.

"The Art of Spiritual Companioning"
Workshop by Cynthia Wand

By being deeply present and listening with compassion and detachment, we can help others "to empty their cup of emotion." This powerful yet gentle tool from Virtues Project International supports children and adults to discover their inner wisdom.

"Learning the Language of Virtues"
Workshop by Cynthia Wand

By helping your children relate to the virtues or values that underly all social and religious life, you can help their inner development as well as their outer actions. Cynthia is a Waldorf home schooling parent and a Master Facilitator with Virtues Project International, a model global program for families that has been honored by the United Nations.

"The Sacred Art of Nurturing Ourselves, Our Children and Our Families"
Keynote by Donna Simmons

In today's world, the family has been called the "bearer of culture." Yet there is very little support for intentionally creating a home life that supports every member of the family. Donna focuses on the importance and pitfalls of mothering in today's culture. She also addresses how mothers, by working with rhythm and festivals and with their own strength and mood of soul, can set the stage for a healthy, child-friendly family life, in contrast to one that is child-centered.

Donna describes her rich and unique experience, which includes being a houseparent in Camphill, teaching children from preschool through high school, homeschooling her two sons, and advising parents through Christopherus Home School Resources, which she founded. Donna has many books and other recordings available at
www.Christopherushomeschool.org [If you have young children, I especially recommend her book on Kindergarten at Home with Your Three to Six-Year-Old. --Rahima]

"Parenting and Teaching the Millennial Child"
Keynote by Eugene Schwartz

In considering ways to understand and meet children today, Eugene discusses some of the factors underlying the rise of learning disabilities and behavioral problems and how they are met by the Waldorf approach. He pays particular attendtion to autism, Aspberer's and adoption. A very strong and provocative talk by a leading proponent of Waldorf education.

The Soul of Education
Keynote by Rachael Kessler

What do we mean by soul, and what are the gateways through which parents can nurture the souls of their children? Why should schools consider addressing the inner life, and what are the conditions that nourish soul in any group setting? Rachael addresses these and many other questions from her pioneering work in bringing Social and Emotional Learning into mainstream K-12 education. A very inspiring address.

"Form Drawing in the Early Grades"
Workshop by Kelly Morrow

Learn how this "art of the moving line" is used with children in grades 1-3 in Waldorf schools, and how it helps develop their handwriting and spatial awareness. You'll gain a great deal that you'll be able to incorporate with your children!

"Create Your Own Family Celebrations"
Workshop by Esther Leisher

Esther writes frequently on this site, sharing her awareness and the celebrations she created as her four children were growing up. In this video, you'll see many of the simple items she used and be better able to develop your own celebrations, based around the principlces of meaning, symbol, beauty and activity. You'll be inspired to create more magic and wonder in your family's life--fun!

"The Waldorf Curriculum through Eurythmy"
Workshop by David-Michael Monasch

For the first time, you can see Eurythmy on one of our DVDs and ways in which it changes from preschool-kindergarten through the early grades as it is taught in Waldorf schools. Eurythmy is an art of movement developed by Rudolf Steiner and often called "visible speech" and "visible tone." This lively workshop session offers a kinesthetic introduction to the evolution of consciousness at the heart of the Waldorf curriculum, highlighting the key stages of child development through fourth grade.