Daily Archives: November 11, 2009

Waldorf 101: Waldorf “Preschool”

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Faithful readers of this blog will probably know  what I am going to say:  there is no Waldorf preschool. Waldorf Kindergarten used to start after age 4, and now the age has dropped to age 3 with “Morning Garden” classes for toddlers to age 3 in many schools.   I have a strong dislike of where the Waldorf schools are headed in terms of taking younger and younger children out of the home.  Waldorf Kindergartens work to emulate a loving home, and this is something that we obviously can work on at home for far less cost and for far more personal development than perhaps would occur if our child was at Waldorf school.  Having your children with you 24/7 forces your own spiritual growth!  Ask any homeschooling mother!

So, if we are thinking about “preschool” we are thinking about the ages before age 4, or perhaps I would even argue before the age of 5 or 6.  I think in the home environment really we need to do “Waldorf Kindergarten” around the five-year-old year and the six-year-old year.  These are the ages for increased attention, increased ability to do artistic and creative work in a focused fashion.  It is just a thought; I know some will disagree.

Here are a few things to work on in the years before starting Waldorf Kindergarten in your home:

  • Work on your own ability to nurture and enfold your child into life on Earth.
  • Establish a rhythm for your child, your family, your life.  If you are still struggling with rhythm when you hit homeschooling for the grades, it will be difficult to focus on teaching.  Remember though, rhythm is not a schedule but a flow.
  • Establish health of your child through protection of the 12 senses, use of warmth, establishing rhythm.
  • Repetition!  It is what little people need!
  • Play, singing, interaction
  • Including your child in household chores
  • Outside and sensory experiences
  • Fostering the imagination through oral storytelling

If you need more information regarding the very Early Years, try the Waldorf Baby tag and Rhythm tags.  If you need more information regarding Waldorf Kindergarten, please try that tag.

Less is more in the Waldorf Home.  Please remember the differences between the Waldorf Home with a six-year-old versus a three-year old.  There should be a difference!

Love,

Carrie

Please Pray For Our Troops

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Today is Veteran’s Day – Happy Veteran’s Day to my husband who devoted ten years in duty to the United States Army.  Please pray for our troops.  This is part of an Associated Press article published today:

“WASHINGTON – Far from winding down, the numbers of wounded U.S. soldiers coming home have continued to swell. The problem is especially acute among those who fought in Afghanistan, where nearly four times as many troops were injured in October as a year ago.

Amputations, burns, brain injuries and shrapnel wounds proliferate in Afghanistan, due mostly to crude, increasingly potent improvised bombs targeting U.S. forces. Others are hit by snipers’ bullets or mortar rounds.

With Veterans Day on Wednesday, wounded veterans from the recent conflicts consider the toll of these injuries, and the rough road ahead for the injured. Of particular concern are the so-called hidden wounds, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder that can have side effects such as irritability and depression.”

Please say a prayer for the men and women who feel called to military life.

In gratitude,

Carrie