Waldorf in the Home

"Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood"
Book by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

Cindy and Joya have written a much-needed book describing the three phases of childhood and ways in which effective parenting skills change in response to children's changing levels of development. The seven-year phases of development are described in the chapter on "Working with Developmental Forces in Parenting," as well as ways to influence children when they are centered in imitation (bith-7), admiration (7-14) and individuation (14-21).

The next chapter, "Discipline Skills for Parent-Child Conflicts," focuses on age-appropriate communication skills and strategies, and ways in which these need to change as your child grows and matures. Working with the spiritual world is also discussed, along with tips for co-parenting and single-parenting. The book ends with extensive appendices on therapeutic stories, suggested reading, and community resources.

The book is short (only 60 pages, spiral bound), but it's unique in presenting these ideas in such a concise, clearly understandable and practical way.

Cindy and Joya offered three workshops on "Parenting with Spirit" at our 2009 conference on "Educating Our Children--Changing the Future" in Fair Oaks. All three are available to purchase in CD format. The first session focuses on "Working with the Spiritual World." The second will help develop "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills." And the third considers ways of "Working with Negative Behavior in Children." All three expand on the themes developed in the book.

About the authors:
Joya Birns and Cindy Brooks co-lead the monthly support group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School ("Parent Circle") and various workshops for parents. Joya previously taught early childhood and handwork classes in three Waldorf Schools and has worked with parent groups since 1982. Cindy received her MA in transpersonal psychology from Antioch University--Seattle in 1990. In 1995 she completed a two-year training in sandplay at the Child Therapy Institute of Marin and was licensed as an MFT in California in 1996. In 2003 she graduated from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and has worked with the Care Group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School since 2003.

To order the book "Parenting with Spirit," click on the button below. We also sell three CD recordings of workshops by Joya and Cindy on Parenting with Spirit.

"Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability"
Keynote Address by Lisa Bennett

Lisa Bennett, communications director for the Center for Ecoliteracy, discusses the hopeful new movement that is rising in schools across North America in response to the environmental challenges we are facing . Addressing these issues will require leaders and citizens who can think ecologically, which means: Schools need to prepare students who understand the principles by which nature sustains life and have the values, ability, and courage to act on that understanding. Lisa also discusses ways in which Waldorf parents and educators can participate in (and already are advancing) this important new movement in education.

"How Would Our World be Different If...."
Keynote address on Mentoring Youth into Adulthood
by DeAnna L'am

How would our world be different if adolescent children were witnessed, cherished, and celebrated as they transition into adulthood? Since most of us have not been welcomed into adulthood as teens, our best intentions draw from a blank space within us. We must nourish the parts of ourselves that were left wanting in order to navigate and chart the unknown waters of mentoring our youth. This talk is intended to inspire you to embark on this demanding yet exciting journey.

"Re-imagine Money: Toward a New Economic Citizenship"
Keynote Address by John Bloom

Money reflects the architecture of human experience, our interior and exterior spaces, and the intersection of the two. This presentation looks at the opportunities we can take to reimagine those structures, to transform how we think about and transact with money as a step toward positive economic practices. By transforming ourselves in community and aligning our deepest spiritual values with our economic citizenship, we will lead the next generation to a freer and hopefully more enlightened relationship to money and the world of finance. In addition to the presentation, dialogue with the audience is included.

Changing Our Words--Changing the World
Workshop by DeAnna L'am

The words we speak can wound or heal. Become aware of the assumptions that inform your communication, and the needs behind them, to alter family and community environments into ones where everyone's needs are met.

Teaching Children to Write with the Vimala Alphabet
Workshop by Jennifer Crebbin

Teach your child letter forms that support open and honest communication, being of service, engaged will power, and more. The Vimala alphabet is being used in many Waldorf schools, and through this video you will learn about teaching these forms to your child.

Parenting with Spirit: Working with the Spiritual World
Workshop by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

In this workshop, Cindy and Joya focus on the reality of spiritual guidance and ways to connect to this source of inspiration and support in daily life. Working with music, meditation, discussion and artistic process, they develop a practice for ongoing dialogue with the angelic realm.

This workshop expands on Chapter 5 in their book Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood. We also carry two other CDs from their workshops on Parenting with Spirit: "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills" and "Working with Negative Behavior in Children."

Parenting with Spirit: Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills
Workshop by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

In this workshop, you will review how children develop through the three 7-year periods and learn to work with developmental forces in parenting. The focus is on discovering how age-appropriate communication and mirroring can improve the parent-child relationship. Discussion time is included to assist with practical application.

This workshop further develops themes outlined in their book Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood . We also offer two other Parenting with Spirit workshops by Cindy and Joya, "Working with the Spiritual World" and "Working with Negative Behavior in Children."

Parenting with Spirit: Working with Negative Behavior in Children
Workshop by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

This workshop focuses on boundaries, tolerating negativity and Waldorf-inspired discipline strategies for each 7-year period. Discussion time is included to help with practical application.

This workshop accompanies and expands on Chapter 4 in their book, Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood. Other recordings of Parenting with Spirit workshops that we offer include "Working with the Spiritual World" and "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills."

Parenting with Spirit [3-workshop set]
Three Workshops by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birns

These three workshops explain and further develop the themes in their book, Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood.
The first CD covers "Working with the Spiritual World." In this workshop, Cindy and Joya focus on the reality of spiritual guidance and ways to connect to this source of inspiration and support in daily life. Working with music, meditation, discussion and artistic process, they develop a practice for ongoing dialogue with the angelic realm.

The second CD on "Waldorf-Inspired Communication and Empathy Skills" covers how children develop through the three 7-year periods and ways to work with developmental forces in parenting. The focus is on discovering how age-appropriate communication and mirroring can improve the parent-child relationship. Discussion time is included to assist with practical application.

The third CD focuses on boundaries, tolerating negativity and Waldorf-inspired discipline strategies for each 7-year period. Discussion time is included to help with practical application.

Order the 3-CD set and save!

Also purchase the book Parenting with Spirit: A Waldorf Guide for the Three Phases of Childhood

Regarding the book:
Cindy and Joya have written a much-needed book describing the three phases of childhood and ways in which effective parenting skills change in response to children's changing levels of development. The seven-year phases of development are described in the chapter on "Working with Developmental Forces in Parenting," as well as ways to influence children when they are centered in imitation (bith-7), admiration (7-14) and individuation (14-21).

The next chapter, "Discipline Skills for Parent-Child Conflicts," focuses on age-appropriate communication skills and strategies, and ways in which these need to change as your child grows and matures. Working with the spiritual world is also discussed, along with tips for co-parenting and single-parenting. The book ends with extensive appendices on therapeutic stories, suggested reading, and community resources.

I highly recommend this book! It is short--only 60 pages, spiral bound--but it's hard to find this information in such a concise, clearly written format! --Rahima

About the authors:
Joya Birns and Cindy Brooks co-lead the monthly support group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School ("Parent Circle") and various workshops for parents. Joya previously taught early childhood and handwork classes in three Waldorf Schools and has worked with parent groups since 1982. Cindy received her MA in transpersonal psychology from Antioch University--Seattle in 1990. In 1995 she completed a two-year training in sandplay at the Child Therapy Institute of Marin and was licensed as an MFT in California in 1996. In 2003 she graduated from the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training and has worked with the Care Group at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School since 2003.