Incorporating Waldorf in a PS family

[redwolf2]

We have a Waldorf school here but I am so far away from affording it it's not even funny. I am also in no place to HS now, the twins just demand so much from me right now. I found a PS I am thinking of sending her to, it is out of our district and I will have to pay a little.

Anyway, I am just looking for some support. I want to still raise my children in Waldorf inspired ways and i am just sad about not being able o send her there.

What are some things you PS mama's do to incorporate Waldorf in your child's education?

[RomanGoddess]

- Make your home TV-free and radio free
- Emphasis literature and art with fantasy (especially for younger children)
- Do art projects with watercolours using Steiner's colour principles
- Avoid books, toys, games and clothing that have commercial characters (limits imagination)
- Emphasize folk literature, fairy tales for reading
- No computer for the kids
- Open ended toys (silk scarves, dolls with limited facial features, unusual shaped unpainted blocks...)
- no plastic anything
- keep a garden or lots of indoor plants to tend
-keep a "season table" with items from the season on it

You might want to cross-post in Waldorf to get more answers if you have not already.

[kmeyrick]

CMLP said it best. Waldorf education is a lifestyle, not just an education method. Everything available in a school can be available at home. Heck, you can even lazure your own walls.

[muse]

what cmlp said, plus i would add celebrating seasonal festivals in a way that feels true to your family and maybe with other families.

[redwolf2]

We do alot of these things already, thanks for the suggestions.
I just don't want her to loose her sense of connection to it being away from it all day at school. School can make you jaded to those wonderous things, KWIM? Though thankfully her kindy will be 1/2 day.

Do any of you have experience with this?

[megangaia]

Hi,

I would definately try to attend the waldorf school's festivals. Our school has a mailing list and lets friends and family know of upcoming events. We welcome everyone to things like the Michaelmas play, Lantern Walk, holiday bazaar, community spiral walk, May Faire, etc. Those are great ways to stay connected to the reverence and spiritual side of Waldorf.

As far as half day kinder, I say yeay! Hopefully it's play based, but if not, you can do things at home like singing some songs, teaching some circle rhymes, using beeswax, having a nature table, telling nature stories (kids love ones about mischiveous gnomes and fairies!) And definately following as much of a rythym (omg, my spelling is OFF tonight!) as possible, like after school, coming home and having a healthy, simple lunch, followed by a little rest, then some play, outdoor time, helping with dinner, etc.

Good luck! I'd say there are some folk who are more "waldorf" that don't attend waldorf schools, kwim?

Megan