Any Waldorf-insprired HSers looking to get back on the wagon? - Page 5

[jessicaSAR]

Originally Posted by amseiler

I have been checking out the waldof homeschooling websites. Are there any good Waldorf Homeschooling books you can recommend geared to slightly older children (lower to middle elementary)?

Donna Simmons has audio downloads for each elementary grade. They are only $12 each and full of helpful info. Scroll down for a list of all the audio downloads.

http://www.christopherushomeschool.org/bookstore.htm

Her Joyful Movement, and Natural Science books are also great for the lower elementary grades.

[OakdaleMama]

Hey Lucie (and others in the know)--
What's "MI"? Thanks!

[mimiharshe]

Originally Posted by jessicaSAR

For very young children, I think you begin by working to establish healthy rhythms to your day. Resist the temptation to get the kids involved in all sorts of outside activities, and work on setting up a simple daily and weekly schedule. For example, your daily schedule could be something like this: breakfast, walk, housework, lunch, nap, art, dinner, bed.

Wow! Thank you for that response! That is very helpful. This part is what I'll have a hard time w/. We go stir crazy w/o outside activity/play. Maybe doing the daily walk will combat that. Plus, my first thought when I read this is "and then what? what about all the fill in time that my kids want to be doing something?" i guess that's when i encourage them to play, use their imagination, or do activities/crafts at home?!

Thanks again for your insight. It was needed as I've been sitting here trying to figure out a schedule for the next few months. I think this will change a few things.

Edited to add...I looked up the websites...what great ideas of things to do w/the kids. That's what I've been needing!

[wonderactivist]

Hey OakDale!

It's Multiple Intelligence theory - which is essentuially the idea that each child is gifted in his or her own way. The theory looks at different types of intelligence and the ways the different children learn - learning styles. Howard Gardner was the pioneer in this, and any of his books are good introductions. He started with seven intelligences, then added an eighth to include: linguisic, logical, spacial, kinesthetic, musical, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and naturalist...but I think more recently even more have been added.

To me, it has been much more useful in my everyday teaching than the Waldorf temperaments idea, though I have read up on temperaments and do think about it a bit. The MI theory, on the other hand, is something I use a LOT when deciding how to approach something - really daily.

If you want to learn more about MI, here are some resources.

Happy New Year!

Lucie

[HikeYosemite]

Originally Posted by amseiler

I have been checking out the waldof homeschooling websites. Are there any good Waldorf Homeschooling books you can recommend geared to slightly older children (lower to middle elementary)?

Check this site for reviews of Waldorfy books, curricula, etc.:

http://www.waldorfresources.org/

[mimiharshe]

Lucie and Jessica...

Well, you have inspired me! I just needed somone or a few ppl to point me in the right direction and give me a little nudge. Lucie, I have been reading through your website tonight and it's wonderful. We are not Catholic, but LDS Christians so it helps a lot. I just have to write how my day went b/c I just have to it was so wonderful. After I read your posts this morning it just completely changed my thinking and made me look at my children and our day differently.

We had breakfast, took baths and got dressed. Then we did some cleaning w/the kids trailing me and helping as I'd turn picking things up into a game. We loaded up in the car and my dd decided she wanted her new car seat (Britax Boulevard for Christmas), so why not, right? I grabbed it and as I installed it I taught her things and she "helped" as ds looked on. When that was done, we went to Whole Foods. What was fun and different about this today, you ask? We decided to bring our little grocery cart (one that is real, but small from Costco...really nice) with us. So, mom had a big cart w/ds in it and dd had her little cart. We strolled through WF and I just conversed w/them and asked questions and taught them things as we went through. DD talked to ppl and everyone thought it was great. Then we ate lunch there. My dc fell asleep on the way home, so they napped in the car while I re-arranged some things in the house to help w/doing crafts, etc w/them. When they woke up we had snack and made up a sharing song. Then I decided to clean out the van. The kids got to play in the car as I did this and they had a blast. DH took them on a walk as I finished up. Then, we did finger paints at the table and as dd continued, ds went in the sling and I made dinner (dd usually likes to help make dinner, but was having way too much fun). Now ds is in the bath w/DH watching and dd is playing in the big Britax box as her "house" w/her animals and she's wearing fairy wings. We'll soon start bedtime routine and put them to sleep in our sleeping room! Of course we said our prayers throughout the day and will read Bible stories tonight. Anytime anything came up today about Jesus or God we freeling discussed them. (right now I hear dh explaining how Jesus died for our sins) I realize how I don't need to change the way we do things, but make other things work for us.

Now, can every day be like this? As we go forward, I will continue a routine similar to today changing things as I need (when to take a walk or days we have gymnastics, etc). I can be flexable w/it. I'll also add in new "toys" and material as I get more into Waldorf and Enki and etc... I also have Brite Music and we listen to that as well.

If anyone has any advice, feel free. Thanks for reading and letting me "vent" in a good way. I think this is my longest post ever! :


January
-a mom who finally sees how she can "homeschool".

[annettemarie]

mimiharshe, that was beautiful, and very inspiring!

Does anyone know of any Waldorf sites that are having sales or free shipping? I want to get some main lesson books.

Also, do we want to make this a monthly thing and start a January thread? I'm really digging the comradery and friendship here, and would love to make this an ongoing this!

[annettemarie]

Oh, and I forgot to say, I had a real heart-to-heart with DH, who was concerned that I was sort of flitting from one thing to another. I feel like we really understand one another now, and he totally supports this move back to more Waldorf-inspired living. He also gave me the go-ahead to pull Katie Grace from the charter school ASAP (originally we were going to wait til around March.) So- W00t!

[Cassiopeia]

I think a monthly thread would be great!

[KnittingKara]

Originally Posted by jessicaSAR

For practical life, I think decluttering and shutting off the tv help immensely. Create simple play spaces with imaginative, open ended toys. And get little mops and brooms and feather dustersf or the kids to help with housework (they love this)! .[/I]

I certainly second this! We recently did a big toy de-clutter, slowly replacing the non-quality toys with more natural open ended toys and cleaning out the playspace. It was a big eye opener to me because a) her play changed considerably (it seems just less "aggressive" to me if that makes sense ... gentler, more peaceful, with more involved and detailed stories to it) and b) she actually plays IN the playroom. I think before it was SO cluttered and there were SO many toys to choose from that she was overwhelmed. Scaling down has been one of the best things we have done so far on our Waldorf journey.

I've also been quite tickled at how much she loves to *really* sweep with her real dustpan and broom. A feather duster is also awesome!

As far as adding rhythm, as a person who is very non-schedule oriented, it certainly helped me to give myself the freedom to not feel bound by the clock, like say breakfast always at 7:30. Instead, it truly is a "rhythm" like breakfast after we get dressed ... we follow more of a flow. I know that may sound trivial, but for someone like me who just hates watches and clocks it is better for me to just flow through the day. Bit by bit I added things like a routine for the week (watercolor on Monday, Handwork on Wednesday) and slowly our rhythms have evolved. For us that worked better than trying to adapt all at once. Some people may be able to do that but I'm certainly not one of them

I have found that www.waldorfcurriculum.com has a fantastic free preschool curriculum and lots of neat units in the resource section, too. We have taken these one at a time and that is how we are building our collection of books and toys (some toys we're making ourselves together and Boo loves this!) by simply purchasing or making the few materials required for each unit. I've had great success finding many books at the library, too. I think it can be a little overwhelming when one is first encountering Waldorf because there is an abundance of riches in the great materials, playthings, lessons, books, etc out there. I know that I felt like we had to have all this great stuff right now, you know? please, tell me I'm not the only impulsive one out there like this But, really, going slowly - like how we removed the junky toys bit by bit - seems to be a natural and easy way to flow into Waldorf. I know my daughter is responding wonderfully by this gradual change in our lives, too instead of a sudden, radical switch.

I also very much like Annette's Season of Joy materials, too! They were my first taste of Waldorf (THANK YOU!) and I found the ideas within them very easy to blend into my family's lives and rhythm bit by bit.

Okay, I'm super chatty tonight. Thanks for reading along this far and thanks for this thread. I was mighty happy to stumble across it!

PS - I would really like a monthly thread! It would be great for going back in the archives for seasonal ideas, too.

[wonderactivist]

Dear Everyone,

I am just so grateful for this thread. You know, we all seem to "think" better when we're together and I have missed this type of support. The past few days I have been doing some planning/writing out lessons and this group has been a total inspiration to me.

Mimiharshe- That does sound like a wonderful day, and very inspiring. You'll have to share more about BriteMusic.

Everyone-I would totally love a monthly thread! Thanks for starting it Annette and congrads on feeling upbeat about the transition back at your house. I probably normally won't write so terribly much - sorry. I've enjoyed this break from our routine while DH was home, and I've gotten SO much done: chemistry, Ancient Britain, Rome, and Geometry are planned out for my sixth grader; and nature study, blends, movement,and my winter/spring gardening curricula are ready for my first-grader.

Best wishes,

Lucie

[mimiharshe]

Originally Posted by KnittingKara

I certainly second this! We recently did a big toy de-clutter, slowly replacing the non-quality toys with more natural open ended toys and cleaning out the playspace. It was a big eye opener to me because a) her play changed considerably (it seems just less "aggressive" to me if that makes sense ... gentler, more peaceful, with more involved and detailed stories to it) and b) she actually plays IN the playroom. I think before it was SO cluttered and there were SO many toys to choose from that she was overwhelmed. Scaling down has been one of the best things we have done so far on our Waldorf journey.

This is great! I too have been downscaling toys and putting a lot in the closet to rotate out. I just wanted to ask if you have any kind of or specific toys you recommend? Anyone else? Being new to this, I'm trying to identify what is non quality and what is good quality?!

I too am more of a spontaneous person and I don't think it's trivial at all that you are pointing out how you go w/a rhythum instead of a timed schedule. I'm sure alot of moms here are the same. It just depends on our personalities. Some people thrive off a time schedule while others just get stressed over it and vice versa (sp). We too are working on a flow and getting away from the schedule dh and my friends were telling me I had to be on!

Thanks for the link, I will check it out!

January

[mimiharshe]

Annette...thank you . This thread has inspired me to finally be ok, ready and happy to h'school. Thank you for starting it! BTW how did you approach this heart to heart w/dh. My dh is great and on board, but I'm still trying to understand Waldorf myself and get a flow. How do I get hime "on board" w/me?

Lucie, thanks! You were a big part of why my day went the way it did! Oh, Brite Music. https://www.britemusic.com/default.aspx I forgot how I heard about it, but I was having a hard time w/dd listening (the only thing I really have a hard time w/her...plenty of sleep, good diet help and hands on work help). Anyways, I bought the whole set b/c I thought it would help and it did. The Land of Obey and Gratitude cd especially is seems. The Land of Obey takes you on an imaginary train ride w/ "mr Did" and "Mr Didn't" to this Land of Obey. It was a great thing to relate to when trying to communicate to her. The Grattitude on had taught my kiddos (yes, my 19 mo. old too...he loves it and sings the songs) "grattitude attitudes" as we call them. Oh, there's also books that come along w/the cd's. They love them and it gives me different ways of relating what I want to say to them. I believe they were done in the late 70's, early 80's so there is some cheesiness but we love them. Also, I thinkk they were done by a Christian woman, but there is nothing in them "Christian" for those of you who are not, except good values trying to be instilled, which I think all of us are trying to do, right?:

Sorry if this is too long, I just wanted to address your question!

J

Edited b/c I had more time to think and there might be mention of God in the Brite Music, so don't quote me on that!

[damselfly41]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Also, do we want to make this a monthly thing and start a January thread? I'm really digging the comradery and friendship here, and would love to make this an ongoing this!

Yes, let's! Everytime I start thinking about how to get organized and really serious about hs, I just get overwhelmed and say in my mind, we can always just send her to public school. Ugh. I know what is the best for her, I just can't seem to wrap my mind around how to go about it, yk? I am finding this thread so inspiring and so motivational. I've been thinking ever since she was born, I have time to figure out how to do this, but here she is, 4, and so ready! I guess part of my problem is trying to figure out where to find the time to get organized! Really gotta do it. And coming here helps me. I just kinda throw in "lessons" when I see something interesting. The other night, dh had a carbeurator (sp?) in the house, (clean, of course) and so I started telling the kids how it works and what it is for. Dh jumped in and took over, (he loves all things cars!), and by the end, dd was naming different parts (boosters, air bleed valves, float), and what things went where (gas goes in here, air goes in here). It was fun and we just kept going until we lost her interest. AND the other day, we made yogurt (for the first time ever) and were talking about why we scald the milk, add starter, keep it warm... the next day, the kids got to eat it. That was fun. Hmmm... I guess I feel like talking today! We are organizing art supplies today, that's my main objective. Then perhaps a bit of painting. Oh! And I am going to dig out the kids brooms and dustpan. Haven't seen those in a while!! I almost forgot we owned them.

[paganmum]

Today is day on of our restart and we're going to take it one step at a time. It's art week!

[mama_kass]

Originally Posted by amseiler

One of the things I love about the Waldorf approach is the arts/crafts/drawing emphasis. What do you do if you have a child that just doesn't like to color/draw/paint? I don't push but I keep hoping. So far he does a few craft progects here and there but nothing that would be average for his age (which is 5 BTW, and he does very little that is "average" for his age, LOL). He is very creative but not into hand on crafts and art.

Have you sat down with you child to teach drawing, painting? Maybe the problem is he is intimidated by the idea of making a whole picture? Start with getting him familiar with colors. Like set up painting for blue. Then allow him to experience blue water colors using various strokes and different sized brushes.

What materials are you using? I have found that using beeswax crayons, nice colored pencils, good quality paper, brushes, and water paints makes a huge difference.

[mama_kass]

Originally Posted by mimiharshe

This part is what I'll have a hard time w/. We go stir crazy w/o outside activity/play. Maybe doing the daily walk will combat that. Plus, my first thought when I read this is "and then what? what about all the fill in time that my kids want to be doing something?" i guess that's when i encourage them to play, use their imagination, or do activities/crafts at home?!

Your activities should go back and forth throughout the day between expanding and contracting. Outside play is very important for every child everyday. Keep reading all you can and implement a little more every week. Waldorf will be just as nourishing to you as it will be to your child. I'm really excited for you!

[mama_kass]

Here's a link to the Waldorf hs support thread for January.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...43#post6895843

[OakdaleMama]

Hey Mama Kass [& other experienced "Waldorf at home" moms]--
I'm really interested in this thought of yours: "Waldorf will be just as nourishing to you as it will be to your child." Can you tell me how this has been true in your life? I'd love your thoughts and specific examples. Thanks! --Nancy

[mama_kass]

Hi Nancy,
I'd love to share!

Through Waldorf I have learned how to spend really peaceful, joyful days with my children. Our home does not have chaos. It has rhythm. I have learned that through rhythm our home flows peacefully and we live in harmony. It is a beautiful way to live.

Waldorf education has taught me to be a better homemaker, mother, and teacher. I have become a very good house keeper and this feels good. I've learned to knit. I've learned to felt, paint, and draw. I have become a regular baker. I have always enjoyed singing, but now have learned hundreds of songs. I have become a great story teller. Through Waldorf I have become an artist! I am always learning new things and working on myself. The Waldorf way of life is a journey for my own soul. Best of all, since it is Waldorf at home I can use what I want and leave the rest.

When I am engaged, my children become engaged and this is soul-enriching to us all. I wish I would have been raised in a Waldorf home. It is nourishing to me to give my children a way of life that I would have loved.