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Waldorf education won't fit in a box (Part III).

You may have noticed that we don't think a good Waldorf education will fit in a standard sized box. 

More importantly, it will not necessarily resemble what our Waldorf friends and neighbors are doing either. We HIGHLY recommend asking yourself a couple of questions before you make any decisions related to your children. Consider:

• “Is this toy (or school supply or activity, etc) helping to nurture a spiritual depth and creative thinking within my child?

• Do we currently own something that can be used to the same end?

• Could we make/do something similar ourselves?”

What is most important?

Brian and I have spent the past couple of years distilling our decades of experiences in classrooms down to the most essential components. 

We’ve been looking at what is really important. For example, our online course, Waldorf Art for Beginners, is one product of this distillation process. 

While planning it, we asked ourselves: 

• What art tools and supplies does a family just getting started with Waldorf education really need?

• What’s worth spending money on, and what’s not so important?

• What are the most basic skills they’ll need to move forward with chalk-drawing, watercolor painting, and using block crayons?

The results of taking the time to reflect on these questions is a course that is JAM-PACKED with value, and yet is still simple. Filled with ease.

Take a minute to reflect on what is most important for your family. What do you really need? 

Claim your quiet.

What would more simplicity look like? Find the ease.

What does a balanced weekly rhythm look like for YOUR family? Are you doing more than feels good because you feel like you need to look like other Waldorf-inspired families?

Let's cheer each other on as we move towards creating more simplicity in our days, our weeks! 

It's so worth it. 

Read Part I

Read Part II

Freedom! (or, Advice for your Waldorf journey, Part II)

My inner pragmatist spends a lot of time contemplating what she can tell you that will be immediately useful to you on this journey.

It's true that yes, this is a journey of many steps, and ultimately there's no rush. But there is also the reality of needing to jump in and get started somewhere, yes? 

So, maybe it makes sense to start here?

I am 100% certain that Steiner never said we should go broke giving our children a Waldorf-inspired education and lifestyle. He did say that we should emphasize natural materials, and that teachers should consciously choose open-ended playthings and supplies for the home or classroom that will nourish a young child’s senses. It’s true, sometimes the toys and supplies made from beautiful, natural materials DO cost more, and well, rightfully so. They are often handmade, and they are worth more than their plastic counterparts, plain and simple. This leads me to my next thought.

It isn't always going to look the same.

At no point did Steiner ever say that we must buy all the same things that other Waldorf-inspired families own. Nor did he say that we must teach our children in exactly the same way. In fact, he was pretty clear about that,

“According to each teacher’s individuality, outer forms of teaching may vary enormously in the different classes, and yet the fundamental qualities are retained...in a Waldorf school outer forms do not follow set patterns, so that it is quite possible for one teacher to teach his class of 9 year olds well, while another who takes a completely different line, can be an equally good teacher…and as long as the teacher feels in harmony with the underlying principals, and with the methods employed, he must be given freedom in his work instead of being tied to fixed standards” ~ Rudolf Steiner

Freedom! 

What a relief, yes? There is so much freedom to be gained here, when we remember that the expectation was NEVER that we would all "do" Waldorf in exactly the same way.

Inhale.....exhale. And, repeat.

Read Part I - Advice for your Waldorf journey.

Read Part III - Waldorf Education won't fit in a box.

Advice for your Waldorf Journey, Part I.

We love the enthusiasm that comes with new endeavors, planning for a new school year especially.

Since childhood I've had a special place in my heart for school supplies. Anyone else out there that used to play "school" constantly?

High 5's and chest bumps!

As a class teacher, and now home-educator, the dialog as I'm planning for a new year (at least in my head) goes something like “Ok! Here we go! Let’s DO this!”. I like to picture a few high fives, and maybe some chest bumps too, although I’m not certain how Waldorfy those actually are. In any case, at some point in the planning process you, like me, are probably reminded that …. there are a lot of decisions to make.

Curriculum! Toys! Local classes! Art Supplies! Hurray! So many great options available online these days. 

So. Many. Options. Oh boy. 

Why did I buy this?

No doubt at one point or another, you have found yourself pondering just HOW one is supposed to weed through all the available information out there? Maybe you spent just a little more time than you meant to looking at all the gorgeous toys for sale online? Maybe you've spent just a little more money than you meant to? Or maybe a lot? Does anyone else still have a few things collecting dust from the early homeschooling days that were purchased in a flurry of enthusiasm, but then never actually got used? In my case, a spectacularly expensive, gorgeously handmade wooden puzzle comes to mind. 

See? It’s ok. You’re not the only one. 

Take your time. Bring good chocolate.

You are probably already somewhat familiar with Rudolf Steiner. No doubt you are aware that he had a lot to say about Waldorf education. Like, A LOT, a lot. It seems to me that no matter where you are in this journey, there is plenty of time to work your way through his lectures, slowly and thoughtfully. My advice would be to keep good chocolate nearby, and pace yourself. 

Remember, this is a journey :) Take time to savor even (especially) the tiny moments!

More soon,

~Robyn

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*Read Part II :: Freedom!

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