Lifeways

[Maddiebaby]

My DD has just entered a Lifeways program (basically Waldorf daycare) at a K-6 Waldorf School and I love it I'm soooo happy with her there. Does anyone have any experience with Lifeways. Tell me more about your experiences. DD just started this week and I'm very excited about the program. Any other Lifeways parents here?

[Rhonwyn]

Where are you at? That sounds so fantastic! I wish I could have found something like that when my kids were younger.

[lazygirl]

I have a Lifeways program and I also teach in the lifeways training program in CA.

[Rhonwyn]

Originally Posted by lazygirl

I have a Lifeways program and I also teach in the lifeways training program in CA.

Can you explain more about it and what it is? Is it related to Waldorf?

[octobersweethearts]

I don't know a whole lot about it, but I think Lifeways is mainly the work of Cynthia Aldinger. It is about incorporating Waldorf principles into childcare/daycare....creating a more home like environment as opposed to more sterile child care settings, having mixed ages like you would in a family rhythm, etc.

You may want to check out the Waldorf in the Home website.

[lazygirl]

Lifeways is a name being used for a model of childcare that has been formed for caring for young children in a mixed age setting. Is is Waldorf? Waldorf education comes out of Steiner's work of Anthroposophy and Lifeways works with the indications of Steiner for working with the young child. The basic begininngs for the training and work has been created by Waldorf Early childhood educators. So I guess you could say yes it is Waldorf. My first training was as a Waldorf Teacher.
trisha

[Maddiebaby]

Here's some more

LifeWays North America is a multi-service organization providing consulting and training for family childcare providers, childcare centers and parents caring for children from birth to 6 years of age. LifeWays suggests that too often the missing ingredients are consistency, warmth, and long lasting relationships revolving around the care of young children in a community of mutual support for the adults who care for them. LifeWays contributes a powerful voice to the early care arena by focusing on nurturing infants, young children and families in mixed-age, family style childcare settings. The heart of LifeWays childcare is the "Family Suite" in which children and caregivers develop long term relationships in an environment that protects childhood and enhances optimal physical, socio-emotional and cognitive growth and health.

LifeWays practices are based upon healthy sense development; continuity of care; development of mind and body; an enlivened experience of the domestic, nurturing, and creative arts; and the development of healthy social interactions. These guiding principles can be applied in childcare centers as well as childcare homes and offer practical applications for parents and parenting groups. These practices are inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and the 80-year experience of Waldorf Education and are supported by contemporary early childhood research, as well as the common sense wisdom of many generations of parents.

The LifeWays approach is being implemented in in-home programs, childcare centers and parent-child programs throughout the country and is attracting interest abroad. We invite you to read the principles and suggested child care practices and join us if they resonate with what you are doing or want to see happening with young children. By uniting our efforts, we can become a potent force for healthy change in the lives of young children, their families and caregivers.

LifeWays offers weekend workshops for parents and professionals, year-long training programs in becoming a LifeWays childcare providers, and consulting on changing an existing childcare center to the LifeWays approach or for opening such a center. For details, see www.lifewayscenter.org.

[Maddiebaby]

Soory that link/web address doesn't work

Here's a site that I find most helpful for understanding the lifeways principles

http://lifeways-center.org/

(I'm not sure how to link here, so you may have to cut and paste it into your browser)

LifeWays Principles

1. Children thrive in the presence of devoted caregivers who enjoy life and caring for children. This is the foundation for learning and healthy development. Young children learn primarily through imitation/empathy and, therefore, need to be cared for by people with integrity and warmth who are worthy of being imitated.


2. Having consistent caregivers (over several years) is essential for young children, especially from birth to three years old and, preferably, up to primary school age.


3. In infancy and early childhood, daily life experience is the "curriculum." The child's relationships to the caregiver and to the environment are the two most important aspects through which the child can experience healthy life rhythms/ routines. These include rest and play, regular meal times, exploring nature, practical/domestic activities, social creativity, music and simple artistic activities.


4. Childhood is a valid and authentic time unto itself and not just a preparation for schooling.


5. Infants & toddlers develop most healthily when allowed to have freedom of movement in a safe environment.


6. Children need relationships to people of all ages and can both give and receive special blessing when in the company of elders and youth who enjoy children. Infants and toddlers thrive in family-style blended-age care.


7. Young children thrive in a home-like environment that offers beauty, comfort and security. Healthy sense development is fostered when most of their clothing and playthings are of non-synthetic materials and their toys allow for open-ended, imaginative play.


8. Caregivers need an environment where they can create an atmosphere of "home", where they can build true relationships with the children in their care, and where they can feel autonomous and appreciated.


9. Each child carries an intrinsic value and is gifted with purpose. No child is an "accident".


10. Caregivers also have an intrinsic purpose and need to be recognized and appropriately compensated for the value of their work which lays the foundation of life-long learning for children in their care.


11. Human relationship, rather than technology, is the essential tool for teaching the young child all foundational skills for life.


12. Parents of young children thrive in a care setting where they are loved, respected, and helped to feel love and understanding for their children.

[EStraiton]

My daycare program follows the lifeways principles & practices - you can see our site at http://www.creativekidsworkshop.com and my blog at http://eileensplace.blogspot.com/ - I hope to get waldorf teacher training at sunbridge or lifeways trained starting next year... just deciding which way to go at this point!