Written by Donna Ashton of The Waldorf Connection

Waldorf is a living, breathing form of education that Rudolph Steiner, its founder, wanted to provide as an antidote to modern times.

Waldorf honors the whole child – body, mind and spirit – through music, arts, handwork, sculpture, stories and movement. It educates the child’s mind, nourishes their soul and meets their spirit at developmentally appropriate stages.

Through these arts, a child first experiences information physically and soulfully. The morning lesson incorporates many different subjects all based around the same theme. Children learn their letters through movement, first by walking the shape of the letter before writing or painting the letter strokes.

The letter is then reinforced through rhymes with actions, stories, and music. By first doing, children come to a concrete, tangible understanding of a concept before they are expected to apply it intellectually.

It isn’t that your child copies only your outer movements, but that they also experience your inner attitude of devotion, care, focus, sense of purpose, and creative spirit.

Make everything into a picture

There is great power in using imagery with your child. It enables the child to see or imagine concretely the topic at hand. For every concept taught let there be imagery.

For example, when teaching the letter “T” you might have your child draw it in the shape of a tree in their lesson book. When teaching multiplication, you can tell a story about a gnome who is saving apples for winter. Each of his storage sheds holds four apples, so our gnome will need four storage sheds for his 16 apples.

Rudolf Steiner suggests that we use images to grow on. It’s important that the imagery we’re teaching inspires the imagination and sparks the joy and adventure in learning. Static imagery produces static thinking.

Photo by Renaud Photo

Relate everything to practical life

In Waldorf education learning is applied to “real” life. Each day unfolds in a predictable, rhythmic manner.

In the pre-school/kindergarten years, the child is learning primarily through imitation. Most of the child’s day consists of meaningful work and activities with a purpose such as cooking, baking, gardening, doing laundry, cleaning and taking care of art supplies and the homeschool learning area.

Learning through stories

Storytelling seems to be a lost art, but you’ll soon recognize the life it brings back into teaching and your relationship with your child.

The opportunity to look into your child’s eyes and gauge their feelings and reactions by watching as your story unfolds is amazing! It brings an essential part of you into the mix, which is the key to Waldorf- inspired homeschooling.

Waldorf ’s lack of pre-made textbooks doesn’t mean your child will not get a full rich dose of literature. Children create Main Lesson Books to document their progress through drawing, painting, writing and form drawing.

Natural toys and materials

Waldorf encourages natural materials and beautiful surroundings. Wooden toys, silks, pinecones, acorns and other items from nature are preferred for a child to get the feel of real materials.

Art and school supplies are also high quality to give the best and truest experience. While these may cost more up front, the quality and value of these items is well worth it. We still have crayons from when my girls were four! The materials last and the wooden toys can be fixed instead of discarded. And they feel and look amazing.

It may seem daunting to acquire everything you need, but start small and work items in as you go. Make a wish list for birthdays or holidays.

Waiting for academics

Steiner felt that academics should not be taught until the change of teeth. A child is born with a set of teeth, but now that he is making something of his own (permanent teeth), he becomes a more grownup human being. He’s on the path.

There are many physical factors that indicate a child might be ready for academics. Examples include:

• A child who has been living for seven spring seasons.
• Successfully hopping on one foot.
• Reaching a hand over the head and touching the opposite ear (indicating longer limbs).

These indicators all point to physical readiness. The child has had a chance to master these movements, these physical things, before starting work on the head.

Photo by Scott Leslie

Handwork

Waldorf education encourages children to develop in a well-balanced way. Handwork develops pathways in the brain, strengthening the understanding of math and expanding complex patterns and thoughts.

Handwork also develops a child’s sense of color, form, visual tracking, and numeracy.

Knitting, crocheting, sewing, felting, cross-stitch, woodworking, and wet felting are taught as specific subjects. Each craft honors the fact that our hands are learning tools that have refined capabilities.

Handwork uses both sides of the brain. Tracking skills, for example, are greatly enhanced by handwork. Visual tracking is instrumental in developing reading skills.

As your child creates their handwork they are also developing self-reliance, creative self-expression, and a sense of caring, as many handwork projects become gifts for family members and friends.

Waldorf homeschooling was the homeschooling “method” I chose when my girls were four. But what it ended up being was a lifestyle of educating through body, mind and spirit.

I am not the same person I was before stumbling upon Waldorf.  The rich experience of music, the arts and nature has provided a foundation for my girls that they will take with them forever.

Have you incorporated any Waldorf principles into your homeschool?

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!

Written by Donna Ashton of The Waldorf Connection.

After the dust from the holidays settles, we are left with a few winter months to snuggle and homeschool.

We usually buckle-down and cover more ground in our lessons, as there are fewer distractions. During the quiet days of winter, it just feels like the time is right to dig in.

Yet it often feels like an in-between time to me.

The newness of the school year and fall festivals has waned, and the promise of spring is still out of reach.

If you live in a cold climate it can be more challenging to get the kids outside (as well as yourself.)

Whether or not we like it, there is more time indoors and more opportunities to bond together as a family during these darker days.

How can you keep motivation and inspiration?

1. Take a closer look at your daily rhythm/schedule

What is working? What is not?

Take advantage of the new year’s fresh start to re-work areas of your days and weeks that feel rushed or don’t support you.

There may be some activities you could prune from your life and not miss at all.

Rising ten minutes earlier could give you a chance to breathe before the day rushes in.

Bedtime may have gotten a bit too long.

You’re spending way too much time on … [insert word here].

2. Revisit your family values & priorities

Each January our family sits down and compiles a “wish list” for the upcoming year.

From simple things like Sunday brunch or movie night to camping trips or a new play-fort, we enter all the suggestions and then decide which ones we will give our attention to.

I also take a look at what values I want to bring to my girls through our actions, deeds and words. If giving and community service is important this year, then I make sure we add those things into our schedule.

Perhaps family dinners is on your list, but when you look at your week you are rarely eating together (or worse — in the car too much).

Look to your values for the important activities/time spent and make sure you are adding them to your schedule. (Or they end up never happening.)

3. Jazz things up

Use the indoor-time to add some whimsical ideas to your normal schedule.

Create a “fun” list or box of craft, sewing, or baking ideas.

Always wanted to learn Italian? Do it together as a family and cook an Italian meal (this could tie into your lessons as well). Brava!

Learn to play an instrument or each play a part in a song you create.

Sing a song in a round.

A family play or talent show could get you through several weeks with practices, costume prep, rehearsals and performance. Invite the neighbors.

Take a cooking class or “teach” one to your kids over several weeks  with a “cook- off ” at the end.

Create an “art show” where each child can enter 3-4 types of art (paintings, sculpture, crafts, etc.) Display it all on the big day and invite family and friends for the gala.

Don’t let winter blues make school boring.

Start with streamlining your rhythm, values and then add some whimsy!

There are unlimited creative ways to jazz up your lessons and have a bit of family fun this winter.

How is your family getting through these last few weeks of winter?

When my twin girls were three and a half my husband and I decided we would homeschool them.

I had no idea what curriculum I would use and had never heard of Waldorf Education.

I attended a homeschool fair in my state and purchased a book called 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. The book contained a short quiz, designed to help determine what educational style would be best for me and my family.

As a Type-A over-achiever, I was shocked when my results ended up in a tie between unschooling and Charlotte Mason.

I discovered I wanted something that didn’t look or feel like traditional school. Something that would give my girls real life knowledge and a love for learning.

Neither of the recommended curricula seemed to be the ‘right’ solution for us.

Meanwhile, through reading a few books on mindful parenting and moving forward on my own spiritual journey, I heard the word “Waldorf” mentioned a few times. When I began doing some research, I knew this was exactly what I had been looking for!

And much to my surprise it was a lot of what I had already been doing with my girls.

Things like spending time in nature, playing outdoors and celebrating the seasons, using natural toys, limited (or no) media, eating organic, whole food and living in a simplistic environment.

I saw the potential for offering an amazing education that meets my children where they are developmentally, paired with the arts, music, movement and so much more.

That was it, I was hooked.

My love for Waldorf only grew from there as I continued to gain knowledge in the philosophy behind the method, learn new skills, and open a creative part of myself that I now share with my kids.

I started this journey thinking it was going to be about my girls and what I could offer to them.

Somewhere along the way it became about me as well. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

Waldorf Homeschool U

My passion for Waldorf led me to create Waldorf Homeschool U: A six week e-course that prepares you for understanding Waldorf concepts, shows you how to set-up your homeschool space and daily rhythm, and guides you to plan and present the material that your child needs to thrive.

Wherever you may be on this path, Waldorf Homeschool “U” will meet you there with practical nuts-n-bolts solutions, guidance and a supportive community.

An overview of the course:

• 6 week immersion
• six modules
• weekly summary workbook containing all of the week’s info – easy to download!
• templates, exercises, resource lists, & more
• weekly giveaways of  supportive mp3 workshop audio’s/pdf’s
• email support as you need it
• threaded comments for interactive support
• video lesson with me each week
• self-paced (you do not need to be in class at any specific time)
• virtual classroom remains open for 30 days post workshop
• a practical, step-by-step map to homeschooling with Waldorf

The e-course begins Tuesday, April 29th. Find out more information and register here.

Can you remember how you first discovered the educational philosophy your family adheres to?

We are eight years into homeschooling and having “tweens” is a bit different than when I was schooling seven-year-olds.

Also, running a business from home definitely has its challenges and rewards.

We are not perfect, but we get to what needs to be done, most of time. I have an established rhythm/schedule to our days so things ebb and flow nicely now.

Here’s my life today.

8 a.m. — It’s rainy and dark so we all slept in. Hubby works from home some days, but today is off visiting customers.

9 a.m. — Handwork. We all started crocheting beanie hats last week. This has been so much fun! We each did a round before I started breakfast. When it is not raining we take a morning walk before school. Instead, I made cheddar muffins and one of the girls unloaded the dishwasher.

10:30 a.m. — Circle & Lessons. Our circle has become less sing-songy and more mental math, word problems, music practice and yoga. We still say our opening verse and light our candle most days. Today the girls wrote story summaries in their main lesson books and worked on fractions.

Lunch: They ran off to play while I prepared lunch. I also checked email, put laundry in the dryer and gave my elderly dog eye drops. Not glamorous, but needed.

1 p.m.- 3 p.m. — Work time for Mom. This is my dedicated (mostly) time to work on my business.

Today, I will drop the girls at our local library for “Homeschool Bookworm Club.” Another benefit of older children is being able to drop them off at activities in the afternoon. They love the librarian and get to check out some cool new books.

4 p.m. — Back Together: This is our afternoon in-breath activity.

Sometimes we paint, or maybe run errands. Reading has become a favorite pastime for Brooke. This is her reading chair and don’t even try to sit in it. She usually has two or three books going at once.

Lily practices her cello in our school room. We actually use this as our “craft room/school room” and we love it. It’s the busiest room in the house.

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. — Dinner & Bedtime. I like to eat by 6:30 so we have time for Family Time. We play cards, music, games or take a walk. It is such a great time connecting all together after a busy day.

The bedtime ritual has evolved to them snuggling into bed around 8:00 and then reading quietly until lights out at 8:30 p.m. Then, it is free time for me to read a book, do more work or watch a movie with my husband.

By having an in and out rhythm, it breaks up large chunks of sitting still for hours or running and playing so long that they won’t come back down to relax. It helps me as mom connect with them for a little while, then I get some time to do what I need to do.

Two days a week we have music lessons/library and homeschool co-op in the afternoons, but the remaining days I try to be home to keep a balance.

We may have dirty dishes in the sink, but we connect and share our lives and schooling each day.

Interested in learning more about Waldorf homeschooling?

Donna has recently released an educational guidebook that specifically caters to the homeschooling family.

The Waldorf Home School Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf-inspired homeschool plan.

This comprehensive 122 page manual guides parents through the Waldorf method and reveals how to educate their children in a nurturing and creative environment.

Find Donna’s book at her website or through Audrey Press.

You may have planned the weekly math lessons and science projects, but have you created some foundational goals as well?

When I look back, those years I outlined my intentions, it worked.

I like to separate my goals into three main categories:

Homeschool goals, Goals for each child, Goals for myself.

You may be doing individual goals for your children, but are you also looking at your homeschool as a whole?

Have you set intentions for you to learn and grow?

Homeschool Goals

Only you can take a look at your whole homeschool and see what can be improved, what is working or, if you are brand-new, what you want it to look and feel like. Take an afternoon or weekend to really think and feel into this.

Examples of things I have put in my goals for previous years:

• Better end of semester record keeping
• Keep lessons on track, yet breathable

This year:

• Being much more prepared and thoroughly covering the lesson blocks
• Adding specialty projects (handwork/crafts) that go along with blocks

Other Ideas:

Consistent starting times, handwork twice a week, foreign language

Goals for each child

I really meditate for a few days for each child. What are they strong in? What takes a bit more practice? Where do you see their interests forming?

I feel this is not just about academics, reading or math facts, but their entire being. I try to meet each child where they are currently.

Both of my girls are the same age, yet each has developed quite differently and are not in the same place.  I go inward and let my soul guide me. I hope to get inspiration as to what each girl needs from me.

This exercise is great to do again midway through the year as things can change rapidly as children spread their wings.

I may also look at work from late last year or any we have done over the summer to see what ideas need review or practice early this year.

Examples are:

• Continue stimulating with creative mediums and don’t force reading
• Spelling practice in a fun way and encourage processing ideas
• Increased clapping, and movement exercises
• Practice correct pencil holding form and writing skills

Here you can really see the child as a whole and also add some specific detailed things you would like to do.

Goals for Yourself

As someone who is always learning, I include myself in my goals for the year. But I try not to put too much pressure on myself, especially as school is just getting started and I don’t want to feel overwhelmed.

Pick a few things you would like to accomplish over the school year and review your goals each month or quarter.

Again, I try to incorporate “inner” goals such as:

• rising early to begin the day peacefully
• weekly yoga
• monthly book to read (parenting, school, or personal growth)

And then add some task-oriented goals

• learn to knit or crochet
• bake bread weekly
• plant winter garden

These are not written in stone–it is just a guide to give you that “big picture” thinking when things get busy and you are stuck in the moment.

Feel free to adjust as you go. I usually take a hard look and revise right after the holidays/semester break.

When I look back and see how far we have come these past few years I feel a real sense of joy and accomplishment in our progress. It is nice to have these yearly goals to follow along your homeschooling path.

Homeschool Academy

Wouldn’t it be great to have a mentor to help create meaningful goals this school year plus give you the basic foundational methods to create a thriving homeschool for your kids?

After almost three years offering workshops and partial programs to help Waldorf-inspired homeschooling families, I finally decided to create the ultimate 6-month training program.

Homeschool Academy: 6 months to a Thriving Homeschool
Breath, Relax and Take Charge
Oct 2012 thru March 2013

This program is for homeschooling moms who want to stop spinning their wheels and re-creating everything so they can have time and space to breathe. And to do it with joy!

Head here to see what each month of the course will cover. We begin with our first live call October 10th and I’d love to have you join me!

You can get a sneak peek into the course with my FREE Video Training Series. I love to deliver great tips and ideas and the first part is complimentary. Register here to have access to this free training series–and I’d be honored to have you as a participant on the course, too!

What are the other goals you have for this homeschool year?

Rhythm is the key to making things run smoothly in our household. As a homeschooling mom who is also running a business from home, having balance and rhythm to our days helps make it all possible.

The breathing of the day is an important thing to consider when I am scheduling lessons or activities.

What is this in-breath and out- breath?  It is alternating between an outward energy producing activity and a quieter inward one.

I try to keep this balance and when things get a bit “one-sided” I can tell we need a change. Here’s a sample day for you to see what I mean.

8am- Breakfast and Morning Routine

Make beds, brush teeth & hair and dress.

9am- Morning Walk

We try to do this daily,weather permitting. It gets us out in nature, and expels that energy needed before starting our main lesson. And the dog likes it too.

10am- Circle & Main Lesson

Our circle begins with each girl lighting a beeswax candle. We say our opening verse, monthly verse, play recorder, sing a seasonal song, beanbag toss working on multiplication tables, then we close our circle and blow out the candles.

Snack

We break to renourish. (Girls are always hungry!)

Main Lesson

This lasts about an hour depending on what we are doing.

Today I tell a fable and we draw in our Main Lesson Books to go along with the story.  A squirrel is hanging from the branch outside the window stealing bird seed from our feeder. We watch and observe. It begins to rain. We talk a bit about the seasons, getting ready for my block on Seasons, Calendar and Time.

Lunch

They run off to play while I prepare lunch.

1-3pm – Work Time

This is a new part of our rhythm, dedicated work time for Mommy. I have hired a college student to come over two days a week.

Today is the first day and it goes great! I get so much done without interruption I can’t believe it.  This frees me to concentrate on work now and be present with my daughters the rest of the day.

3pm – Back Together

This is our afternoon in-breath activity. Sometimes we paint, or maybe run errands.

Today it is time for baking. We sift and blend and talk about measurements. While the cake bakes, we knit. I read a chapter from their favorite ongoing book and they each take turns reading from their books.

The cake is done and Daddy arrives home.  They are off playing again while Mommy and Daddy catch up on our days and start dinner.

6:30-8pm –  Dinner & Bedtime

I like to eat by 6:30 so there is time for family time. We play cards, games or take a walk. It is such a great time connecting together after a busy day.

The bedtime ritual begins: pj’s, snack and story.  The girls are in bed by 7:30-8 most nights. They sleep long and well. Then, it is free time for me to read a book, do more work, or watch a movie with my husband. Raising twins, I need this nightly break. I highly recommend it!

By having our in and out rhythm, it breaks up large chunks of sitting still for hours or running and playing so long that they won’t come back down to relax. It helps me as a mom to connect with them for a little while, then I get time to do what I need to do. Then we come back together again and repeat.

I hope this peek into our life has brought you some inspiration as you try to find the rhythm that fits your own family.

Do you feel you’ve found the daily rhythm that works best for your family?