I think if there were to be a mascot for grade one handwork, it would be the humble knitted square. Quick to create and endlessly versatile, that first blessed square to come off those knitting needles is an accomplishment indeed! It is the first big step into the new world of building purposeful skills for … Continue reading The Humble Square
Many parents wonder when a child is ready to move to the work of grade one. A standard goal post for Waldorf schools is that the child has celebrated seven springs/Easters in their lifetime and has started to lose their baby teeth. That means that a child who was born between January and Easter will … Continue reading Readiness: It’s More Than Just Age and Teeth
Painting: Steiner style. It's a mountain many first time Steiner inspired homeschoolers think they are going to die on. If that sounds a bit dramatic, it might be the lingering memories of feeling like I didn't know what the heck I was doing when I first started. There seemed to be so many rules, so … Continue reading The Joys of Painting
As homeschooling parents, we often get caught up in the curriculum. The lessons. What we teach, when we teach it, the methods we use, the materials we will need. We often forget about the most important component of the lesson. Us. We are one of the most important aspects of the homeschooling journey. Depending on … Continue reading Seeing the Forest
Inner work and self study is the path to higher knowledge. An awareness, a consciousness, that takes us out of our habit being and into a world of responsible freedom. Steiner outlined very specific exercises we could do to work on building our capacities for higher knowledge and consciousness. This study group works through these … Continue reading The Journey of Inner Work
November 2, 2022: I'm excited to announce that my first group of students have finished their group study on the foundations of anthroposophy! It was a wonderful group of homeschooling parents plus two early years teachers, and the diversity of the group brought many deep discussions and revelations. I now have space for another group … Continue reading Foundations of Anthroposophy – Study Group
Many Steiner inspired parents are torn when it comes to celebrating Halloween. For many children the modern day themes are much too dark and scary for their little hearts! On the flip side, with all the hype, it is hard to avoid and the fear of our children missing out on the fun sets in. … Continue reading A Happy Halloween
As an early childhood educator by trade, the early years of childhood have always had a special place in my heart. It is such a magical time of human development, where children dance through life, dreamily cocooned in the safety of all that is good and beautiful around them. We, as adults, have an important … Continue reading Life is the Curriculum
The changing of seasons is subtle. Birds flying south, leaves slowly changing, mushrooms growing, squirrels scurrying, Michalemas daisies blooming, that first hint of crisp morning air, pumpkin patches bursting. A recent post about "calendar time" and preschoolers by Kristen Peterson from Play Based Learning had me chuckling. The post highlighted the struggles teachers have in … Continue reading Feeling the Passing of Time
Do you individualize your homeschool to meet needs? It used to drive me batty that my daughter always wanted to do her math away from the table. She'd sprawl on the floor, like above, or curl up in the couch, or stand at the kitchen counter. Anywhere but the table. You know what I noticed? … Continue reading Accommodation or Crutch?
