waldorf-inspired homeschoolong for a 3.5 yo

[mommabear]

Hi! I have been lurking on this forum for a while now, as I have known I want to hs ds since he was a baby, and I find the stories and daily accounts of peoples hs lives so inspirational and informative. A bit of background: I am really interested in Waldorf education and was hoping to apply some of it in my day with ds. It seems like such a gentle and 'quiet' way to help children discover the world. I know that in Waldorf, kids aren't taught to read until their adult teeth come in (around 7?). I used to be so gung ho about the idea of teaching ds to read and learn all the 'academic' stuff, but now that he is the age he is (three and a half), I find I just don't want to rush anything. Also, he is an Indigo child who is very much connected with a part of the world that I don't have as easy access to -- he is so tuned into spiritual and psychic stuff. Also, right now he is really into space and the solar system, weather, animals/birds, and loves helping dh with anything that involves tools. I definately know this is amazing learning, but I just can't help but think I need to sit down with him and do 'desk work' (like teaching him letters, numbers, words, etc.) He learns so well incidentally and from books, and yet I can't help but doubt myself. I am sorry if this ramble doesn't make much sense. I think I am still trying to figure stuff out. Sometimes I sit down at the end of the day and wonder if I could have/ should have done more for ds. I guess if I could sum it up in a question, I would ask if anyone knows of some concrete guidelines I could follow that would help me be certain I was on a Waldorf-inspired path? Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any thoughts you might have.

[mother_sunshine]

Hi mommabear, There is a Waldorf homeschool website that may be of interest to you... http://www.live-education.com/

There is also Oak Meadow http://www.oakmeadow.com/

Your child is still so young, I wouldn't go all out on curriculum etc. He sounds like he is naturally learning and playing as it is. Maybe put out some extra books and activities so it is there if he wants. Pressuring him to learn ABC's etc before he is ready will probably work against him in the long run. I am new to Waldorf, I recently got my hands on an Oak Meadow syllabus (dd is almost 8yrs), but what I have learned so far is that learning needs to come as part of the natural flow of life, not set aside as a separation from life.

And using our hands to create is a huge part of it so your ds already has a great start!

[jennas2]

IKWYM, I find myself questioning if I should do more structered pre-school stuff with ds. He's a little over 3.5 yrs. Anyway no real suggestions just empathy. Here's a link to the Waldorf homeschoolers site. I hope it helps. http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/

Jenna

[khrisday]

At that age, what I think the Waldorf philosophy woudl suggest is lots of time in nature- daily walks, etc, very simple stories (think the three little cats that lost their mittons, etc), pentatonic music, and things lieik baking, wet on wet painting, and nature crafts.
If you really wanted to set up a structure, a daily walk then circle time and story plus one activity- (Monday painting, Tuesday baking bread, etc) would be good. Thsi is what would continue through Kindergarten, and real academicds would be introduced in first grade.

[farmer mama]

I second all previous suggestions and just want to add some book suggestions. You Are Your Child's First Teacher by Rahima Baldwin is a great book for the early years, although I don't agree with the advice on early weaning and avoiding cosleeping (she may have revised this opinion in later editions). I also like Work and Play in Early Childhood and The Children's Year. At 3 1/2, like pps, I think just participating in household life, helping in the kitchen, with dad or garden, lots of nature walks, simple stories and some sort of daily rhythm is great. It sounds like you are already doing plenty of learning on his own. Both my kids are very self-motivated learners and just pick things up without much formal instruction, just with exposure. Another aspect of waldorf that really resonates with us is having a nature corner to mark the seasons, and celebrating different festivals throughout the year.

[mommabear]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I'm just about to take ds for his nap and when he's sleeping I am going to look at all the links. It is very reassuring to know I am on the right track (it's so easy to question myself), and I thank you for the tips -- they will help as 'markers' for me as I go about my day with ds. Again, thank you all, and I look forward to tracking the books down too. If anyone else has suggestions I would love to hear them, too. Thanks everyone!

[charmarty]

Please don't mind me I am just going to : my dd's are 4....Just new to this..

[Sasha_girl]

Everybody already suggested what I was going to, lol. What a great group we have here!

It sounds like you've got a great boy and that you're raising him well.

[annettemarie]

I second all the suggestions, but would add several things

- do you have a Waldorf school near you? Parent-Child playgroups are awesome!

- If you go to the Christopherus homeschool site, not only will you find a photo of my handsome guy paintng on the homepage but you will also find info on joining her Waldorf at Home list
http://christopherushomeschool.org/index.htm

- I actually run two mailing lists, which you can find here, that are pretty good if I do say so myself :LOL They are actually newsletters, and come out once a week. There's some really good stuff in the archives as well
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Everyday_Waldorf/
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/feastsandfestivals/

HTH! Annette

[mommabear]

annettemarie -- wow! thanks for the great links!