Education Series: Waldorf
I’ve been researching childhood education again and thought I’d share my findings. This week, the ins and outs of Waldorf education.
My first reaction to Waldorf was disbelief and skepticism. I simply couldn’t see the importance of things like delayed academics, making your own shoes and such a heavy emphasis on arts. Yet, the more I read into child development, and the more interactions I had with the innocent curiosity of my own children, the more I became a firm believer in education that nurtures a child’s innate creativity.
- What is Waldorf education?
- Waldorf F.A.Q. (in case you’re in a rush)
- The Essential Phases of Child Development
- Preschool and Kindergarden in the Waldorf School
- Waldorf Education: Grades 1-8
- Waldorf Education: The Waldorf High School
- A Look at Waldorf and Montessori Education in Early Childhood Programs (pdf)
Hope this answered some questions you may have had about Waldorf / Steiner schools! If you’re looking for more thorough information on how to get started with Waldorf ideas with your baby, I highly recommend You Are Your Child’s First Teacher. For slightly older children, I also love Heaven And Earth.
Learning to Let Go
My darling little Ginny is just over a year and walking. Entirely gone are the days of crawling or sitting in one place. Walking is the fun activity du jour and she only asks to be carried in the evenings as she gets tired from the day. One day, that, too, shall pass.
I feel them getting older and more independent every day and I am reminded to let go gracefully. My precious children, that I try to overprotect by carefully controlling every influence and scenario; these are the signs of over-controlling. I really must learn the art of surrender.
So this week, here are some lovely articles and blogs to help you let go with love in your heart.
- Learning to Let Go
- How to Learn the Art of Surrender
- Learning to Let Things Go // … at work.
- Learning to Let Go With Love // … in relationships.
- Learning Not Just How to Let Go, But When // … of a loved one.
Keep Apples from Browning with Vitamin C Powder
I knew about how you could use lemon juice to keep apples from browning, but I have since learned that you can use Vitamin C powder instead. I love this, since it always seemed like a tragic waste of a lemon for such a cosmetic reason.
I mix a teaspoon or two in a bowl of water and soak for 15 minutes. Then drain and blot dry and pack as usual for snacks.
How To Survive TSA for the Holidays
Image via Wikipedia
- Don’t pack anything they won’t let you bring on board.
- Don’t carry wrapped presents. They may unwrap them, and even if not, your wrapping will look fresher if you do it when you arrive at your destination. (Or “wrap” them in an eco-friendly, sewn bag!)
- Carry TSA-friendly kid snacks. One staffer actually had me open every SEALED squeeze pouch of applesauce and eat a little. You never know what they’re going ask you.
- Pack an empty water bottle to fill up from the water fountains on the other side.
- Empty your pockets. Take off your shoes. Take off your belt and sunglasses. Hold your ID/passport and ticket in your hand. Get these things ready before you get to the conveyor.
- If there’s a family line and you have kids, pick that lane. Both TSA and other passengers will be thanking you under their breath.
- Carry your child through the metal detector and opt out of the AIT scanners. Know your rights about pat-downs.
- Load your items on the conveyor in this order: shoes in bin, belts/sweaters/extra items in next bin, laptop in next bin, carry-on bag. If they want to rescan your bag, this won’t hold you up on getting dressed on the other side.
- Double, triple, quadruple -check you have everything with you before you leave the checkpoint. On the plane is too late to realized you’ve left behind a loved toy or your cellphone.
Purple Oatmeal
A fast, healthy and fun treat for those purple-loving little ones. I love oatmeal for our breakfasts because it’s gluten-free, a good source of low residue fiber, and can be sweetened with everything from honey and maple syrup to simple fresh fruit. I prefer rolled oats for their speed of cooking, but the patient spouse-unit always goes for the steel-cut oats. Whichever one, this is a toddler and baby favorite for us. Read the rest of this entry »
