Your Favorite Waldorf Books

[heartlight]

Seeking a more positive thread, I'd like to hear what people's favorite Waldorf books are.

I am currently reading "Toward Wholeness," and it isn't going quickly, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Any suggestions for what to read next?

[megangaia]

Have you ever read "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" by Rahima Baldwin? It's incredible. It takes Steiner and makes it understandable! I saw her speak, and it made me certain that Waldorf was the way for us!

Megan

[heartlight]

Oh, Yes! I have read it -- I read it before I knew anything about Waldorf education! It was the beginning! Great book!

Any others?

[Rain]

I just read You Are Your Childs First Teacher. Great book! The next one I want to read is Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, but I have to find a copy!

[sanna]

more ..

I just finished reading 'School as a Journey', an eight year odysee of a Waldorf teacher'. Written by the current director of teacher training at Antioch University. It is truly informative, easy to read, enjoyable stuff ! Highly recommended.

[heartlight]

Great choice, Rain!

What a beautiful book about early childhood. But Beyond the Rainbow Bridge may be hard to find. I bought it from www.waldorfshop.net/michaelmaspress. It was money well-spent. Dd's parent toddler class teacher assigned this book to our class and we read sections together at our parent meetings. I often find myself going back to it to re-read sections, such as creative discipline.

It also contains a nice sections with recommended stories for different age children, handwork projects, recommended reading for parents and resources.

[heartlight]

sanna,

Would you recommend School as a Journey to parents of preschoolers? Or would it be better to wait until the closer to the grades?

[sanna]

heartlight,

The book really is about first- thru eighth grade. My son is just now in Kindergarten. I read it in order to better understand the developing curriculum and what we can look forward to..

This helps give an overview of the 'bigger' picture. So, if you are interested in a Waldorf education thru the grades, I do recommend it!

[heartlight]

sanna,

We are definitely interested in sending dd to Waldorf school for the grades. We have been very happy with the parent/toddler class and preschool, and she starts kindergarten this autumn. I just ordered School as a Journey and look forward to reading it.

I think Waldorf grades teachers are incredible! The undertaking just seems so huge to me. It will be insightful to hear about the author's journey.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[MamaMae]

Hi there....just thought I'd jump in here, though I haven't posted before in this forum. DS is 15 mos, and we plan on unschooling, though we incorporate Waldorf philosophy into our daily life, and I'm sure it will continue to be a stronger influence as DS gets older.

I'm really enjoying the reading that I'm doing on Waldorf Ed, and anthroposophy in general. Though I must admit, I have a very hard time getting through a whole Steiner book! The man is brilliant, but his writing is so dense! I've been struggling with Kingdom of Childhood for months now!

Let's see....
I LOVE LOVE LOVE You Are Your Child's First Teacher. I refer to it over and over, and call it my bible now! There's so much in there, I am constantly finding just what I need.

I also read Beyond The Rainbow Bridge and enjoyed that as well. It was very easy to read, and covered extensively and very well the 12 senses, which I haven't found described as easily and simply as they were in that book.

I'm reading "The Incarnating Child" by Joan Salter right now. I'm enjoying that immensely as well. There are a few things in the book I disagree with the author on (younger weaning age, and co-sleeping, for instance), but the rest of her theories and descriptions of Steiners work is very good.

Has anyone read Children at Play, or Rhythyms of Learning? I've been thinking about ordering both, and would love a reccomendation if you have one.

enough for now!
Thanks for letting me jump in!

[heartlight]

MamaMae,

Jump on in! It's really good to hear from others who have a good feel for Waldorf education!

I borrowed Children at Play from the library, and I really enjoyed it. It is short and easy to read – you can breeze through it in a few hours. Yet, the author’s reverence for childhood made a lasting impression on me. She definitely conveys a spiritual understanding of children and how certain types of play and experiences nourish them. (How I now wish I had awakened my family to watch a recent meteor shower!) IMO it is very worthwhile reading!

I guess I should read The Incarnating Child -- I have heard of it before. (I know I would disagree with the author on early weaning -- dd is still nursing at nearly 4 y.o. -- and we co-sleep.) But it sounds like it may be valuable nonetheless (as we who participate in this thread know, you don't have to agree with 100% of a person's beliefs to gain understanding from them).

I'm just finishing Teaching as a Lively Art -- it is a decent overview of the grades but not fabulous. I have a book called Our Twelve Senses, which someone recommended, and it looks good. I really like Seven Times the Sun too.

[Sonoran Delight]

Yay for Waldorf!

DD is in grade 5 at the Waldorf school here. Not only is she a great human being, but I am truly the mother I am today because of the amazing influence of Waldorf education.

What a community, I couldn't ask for more.

In a world where so many things go wrong, do your child a favor -Do Waldorf!

[heartlight]

Sonoran Delight,

It warms my heart to hear you speak so warmly about your dd's Waldorf education. I feel very strongly that it is right for my dd too. She is in a Waldorf preschool, and I hope that we can send her through grade 8 (I wish there was a Waldorf high school close enough to complete the grades, but there's not).

Do you have any good book recommendations for us? It would also be nice to hear what you love about Waldorf education on that thread. . . .

[TraceyMc]

Good Books

Hi
My dd is in a waldorf inspired home school this year and will be in kindergarten next year. I really enjoyed School as a Journey as well. They sell it on Amazon.com and his most recent book too. Waldorf Education, a family guide is another one I really liked.
Its nice to hear from some others that love Waldorf!

Tracey