Older Children

[ghostlykisses]

 I was introduced to waldorf type principals late. My kids are now older, my youngest being 7. What elements would you use with older children? What would a daily rhythm look like with old kids? Does anyone know of a good blog that might inspire me? I read so many wonderful blogs from families with waldorf leanings but they all seem to have kinds who are in the 0-6 year old range.

[RollerCoasterMama]

I'm not hard-core.  So the "official" answer might differ.  But...I've been trying to think forward to how these ideals would translate for an older child (in my case a boy).  Probably the key things will be plenty of outdoor time and minimize screen time.  Teach them to use their hands if they don't already.  Teach them real, every day skills:  baking, cooking, building, sewing, knitting, painting, etc.  Try to work out a rhythm that works for your own family.  Find one or two things and go from there.  Family celebrations - official or special just for you - can be simple and everyone can help out in age appropriate ways. 

That's how I see my own future anyway!  I have a lot to work on already since we don't get to do a lot of outdoor time where I live (oh how I want a yard for my guy to run around and explore!!!  he puts up with a deck instead and plenty of outside time at preschool) and we do more screen time than we should.  It's a constant work in progress!

Good luck!  I know you can benefit your older kids.  I have found that I have benefitted as much as my son since I started trying to implement these changes in our home!  They're good for everyone!!

Oh!  More ideas!  :)

Learn the stars together as a family.  A late-night picnic star-gazing would be a fabulous memory! 

Maybe too late this year, but start trying to do home-made gifts for each other.  Everyone has a skill that can be used.

Read aloud with each other...the classics.  Pick a wonderful story and take turns reading each night, or one night a week...whatever works for your schedule.

If you have room, maybe give each kid a patch of garden to work--or even just a couple of pots if you don't have a yard.  This winter, let them start looking through seed catalogs to decide, then grow seedlings in the spring and so on.

There are so many cool family projects that can be enjoyed by everyone!

[bremen]

i myself didn't start going to waldorf school until highschool! 10th grade was my frist year at the school.

the principles can be added to your life at any age.

these two books are ones we always had around the house and communities:

http://www.amazon.com/Festivals-Family-Food-Diana-Carey/dp/095070623X/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1291912411&sr=8-18

http://www.amazon.com/All-Year-Round-Lifeways-Druitt/dp/1869890477/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1291912411&sr=8-13

for you, i suggest reading some of steiner's work, to get to know the deeper level. this one is great

http://www.amazon.com/Theosophy-Introduction-Supersensible-Knowledge-Destination/dp/0217640028/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291912603&sr=8-1#reader_0217640028