Waldorf in the Home

"Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Parenting and Waldorf Education"
Keynote Address by John Cunningham

We, as adults, are being asked to develop new capacities, both to serve as models for our children and to transform society. How can we foster genuine social development in our young people and support their latent and emerging capacity for empathy? John shares how the confluence of Nonviolent Communication [NVC, developed by Marshall Rosenberg] and Waldorf pedagogy is transforming his life and the lives of others.

Video recording in DVD format (60 minutes).

"The Changing Nature of Authority: Integrating Waldorf and NVC"
Workshop by John Cunningham (Video in DVD format)
This workshop focuses on how we can foster a culture of respect and cooperation within our families and classrooms through compassionate communications (Nonviolent Communication or NVC). By looking at the nature of authority, motivation, discipline, and needs we will explore ways to integrate NVC with Waldorf parenting or teaching.

Video recording in DVD format.

Rahima writes: There's a rapidly growing interest within the Waldorf community in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD. I've been privileged to take several training sessions with Marshall, Lucy Lew and others and find it life-transforming. NVC is designed to help us stay connected with other people by listening with empathy to their underlying feelings and needs. It also encourges us to get in touch with our own feelings and needs and to replace domineering modes of communication with an observation, how this makes us feel, the underlying need we have, and a request to see if the other person would be willing to help us meet this need.

[For an introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC, developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D.), see our entry on "NVC and Waldorf." In the following article Susan Johnson shares her notes from a 9-day training in NVC that she attended with Marshall Rosenberg.]

Highlights from a 9-Day Conference with Marshall Rosenberg on Non-Violent Communication
Susan R. Johnson MD, FAAP, Raphael House

Expressing Our Feelings And Needs
1) Choose every moment of your life. There is no such thing as "I can't" or "I don't have time". We choose what we are going to do and not going to do based on priorities. We make choices so let our words reflect that truth. Don't fool yourself into thinking you have no choices in your life that is how we become stuck.

Introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Workshop by John Cunningham

Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, is used around the world-and increasingly by Waldorf parents. This is a lively and clear presentation of the basic principles of listening empathically and the four elements of communicating-observations, feelings, needs and requests. A great accompaniment for Marshall's book!

Audio recording in CD format.

Next Steps in NVC: "I don't have any needs!"
Workshops by John Cunningham

Our culture teaches women to put themselves last and teaches men to ignore their emotions and underlying needs. In this workshop we will approach "needs" as healthy expressions of soul life and a key to compassionate communication (nonviolent communication, or NVC, developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D.).

Audio recording in CD format.

Next Steps in NVC: Empathy and Self-Empathy
Workshops by John Cunningham

NVC is about being in connection with others, not about "rote techniques." Self-empathy, or a practice of discovering what you are feeling and needing, is the key to first defusing your own reactions so you can listen empathically and understand others as they would want to be understood.

Audio recording in CD format.

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.

"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.

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.

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."