Waldorf in the Home

"The Sky Starts at your Feet: Nature from a Child's View"
Keynote Address by Sharon Lovejoy

Nationally-known author Sharon Lovejoy (Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots, Sunflower Houses, and Trowel & Error) shares ways to enchant and enliven children's relationships with nature through gardens and gardening. Sharon shares a collection of simple techniques for learning with children, not teaching at them as she shares her formula of the Five S's.

"Gardening as a Pathway to Understanding Nature"
Workshop by Chris Korrow

An organic/biodynamic garden is a miniature ecosystem in which the gardener strives to mimic the workings of nature. Gardens vary greatly from location to location, and understanding your specific plot will give you insight as to the best way to deal with its uniqueness. These simple concepts are also a great aid in teaching children about gardening, biodiversity, soil science, the environment and even climate change.

"Inner Nature: The Four Elements and the Temperaments"
Workshop by Cheryl Mulholland

The four elements also appear within human nature as our temperament, with each person expressing an affinity towards earth, air, fire and water in how they think, feel and act in life. Understanding the temperaments can improve our relationships and parenting and help us guide our children with their strengths and weaknesses.

"Can We See with Fresh Eyes? Replacing Habits of Abstract Thought"
Workshop by Craig Holdrege

Do we encourage our children to enjoy the night sky, or do we explain how many light years away those stars are? To help our children have deep experiences of the world, we need to overcome our tendency to over-intellectualize--to explain and define. Can we learn to hold back, provide opportunities for quiet observation, and portray the world with open-ended concepts that can grow as children grow?

"Connecting Children and Nature"
Workshop by Jill Dreves

Explore your connection to the natural world and how it impacts your child's. Based on the work of Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods) and the work of the Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery in Nederland, Colorado, Jill shares the current trends and research on the importance of connecting children with nature. Participants also make a biodome, a great project to do with your children.