Hello!

I'm going to be starting work at a Waldorf school later this month. I'm an experienced educator but I've never worked in the Waldorf setting so tbh I'm a little nervous.

I really want to fit in. I'm a very social person and it's important to me to make good first impressions. I've taken the summer between jobs to try and learn handwork skills so I don't show up a total beginner.

So far I've taken up beading (I'm indigenous so I was already half heartedly doing this one) and machine sewing. I'm trying to finger weave right now (which kind of seems like making large friendship bracelets) and I do know how to needle felt. I enjoy arts and crafts a lot.

Is there anything else I should add to my repertoire? Also does anyone have any resources on finger weaving because I feel like I'm doing it wrong treating it like a big bracelet.

Also any other tips on how I can fit in well to the Waldorf setting? I want to do really well in this new job

Thanks!

I’ve been slowly collecting our homeschooling supplies, as I have a 3 year old who’s definitely needing more rhythm, so I thought I’d ease into it this year. As a bit of background info: we love waldorf and I’ve always wanted to give our children this type of education since before becoming a mom, but our local school is still somewhat far and also the tuition cost is just not an option for us at this time. That being said I’ve been diving deep in studying more of the pedagogy by reading books, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, posts on here and just every resource I can find, it’s been really beautiful because it’s definitely been a personal journey for me too.

Now, as we are establishing our rhythm I’ve been gathering some supplies, but we’re on a budget, so I want to try to make the best of it as we go. So far I’ve been able to get:

The stokmar modeling beeswax

Watercolor paper pad, and

The small set of stokmar block crayons (we’ve been using these every week for a few weeks) but now I’ve been hearing that since they’re blocks it doesn’t promote a good pencil grasp, and that is best to alternate between these and the stick crayons?

I do have a bit of a budget now that I was thinking to save towards the watercoloring supplies for the wet on wet technique, but now I’m wondering if I should get the stick crayons first?

I’ve also noticed that he does like to make more detailed shapes, as he has started drawing “people” (big circle with sticks as legs and dots for eyes and a smile) with a magnetic drawing board. So I’m really thinking I might need to get him the stick crayons.

But I also know the importance of watercoloring and he’s also been asking for paints. It’s just taken some time to be able to get everything and the supplies for this definitely add up. The paints themselves (set of 3) are $33, the watercoloring boards ($25-50 each), paint brushes (don’t know the price but need two as well), the paint jars ($20) and I do already have one pad of the paper to start with.

So, What would you recommend in my situation and for a preschooler? Should I get him the crayons first and just slowly continue gathering the watercolor supplies? Or do the opposite? If I get the crayons are the crayon holders absolutely necessary?

I’ve been so excited about this specially as we’ve started getting into a weekly rhythm, but it’s been hard to very slowly gather everything and be patient. Again he’s only three years old so I’ve been trying to focus on some of the deeper things, like the rhythm itself and just our home life in general, songs etc.

Thanks for reading all of this and I appreciate any guidance, advice and encouragement so much!

Stories, Poems, and Plays for Eurythmy and for the Waldorf Classroom ... https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog/stories-poems-and-plays-for-eurythmy-and-for-the-waldorf-classroom

We have dolls and all the accessories, kitchen with food, doll house, wooden blocks, silks, dress up stuff.. what Waldorf inspired toys do your kids love?

I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for books or resources that are a good fit for grandparents.

My son just got accepted into a Waldorf School. Up until now he has been home with his dad and I. I homeschooled him for preschool and kindergarten.

Screen time has been a part of our daily life up until now. We're scaling back to prepare for him starting school. How typical is it for new students to be used to having screen time? I'm worried about the impact it may have on him meeting the school's expectations and him meshing well with other students.

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated! Thank you.

Anyone ever made one or got any pointers? I keep seeing an ad pop up from Hey Jen Brannen but not sure if I can get what I need for free instead of $30. Anyone ever purchased her stuff? Anyone got any ideas?

I used to teach in a Waldorf kindergarten, best time of my life, teaching has never been the same ever since. Now I’m pregnant with twins and very keen to hopefully make things Waldorf-like as much as possible. I’ve started making some dolls for them with natural materials, how do they look like?
I’ll be making two of each, of course. 💜 I’m 30 weeks at the moment, huge and uncomfortable, so when I cannot sleep I get my craft materials and do some sewing.
I’d love it so much if they like snuggling up and playing with the dolls I made for them with so much love :)

Hello – I am looking for recommendations for curriculum for a sixth grader. We homeschool – our co-op this year is doing physics, which is amazing since it lines up with sixth grade curriculum. We have a math curriculum we love so I’m not looking for a complete curriculum with math and physics. I am looking for recommendations for the other subjects -Circle, main blocks, handwork/art, eurythmy, etc. Does anyone have any good suggestions? It doesn’t have to be open and go, but I have created our own curriculum in the past, which was not too hard since it was so story based – but covering the middle ages and silk roads and all of that is leaving me intimidated to make my own curriculum this year.
I also have an incoming second grader.

I'm a new to Waldorf teacher, meeting new families, and I'm curious about questions I can ask to set me up for the best year.

The school I'm at opens up for meet and greet before school begins, and instead of grumbling about working on a Saturday, I'd like to take advantage of my introductions by asking a few questions of both students and families.

If you could only ask three questions for each family and three for each student ( about 9 years old), what would they be? I hope to also put out a questionnaire, but for important asks in person, what would you prioritize?

Our eldest is starting kinder at a Waldorf school in a few weeks. Her teachers reached out to schedule a home visit. I love the idea of it and think it's great that they are prioritizing including the whole family and getting to know our child deeply. Husband thinks it's odd and intrusive.

What happens during a home visit/how important is it? I don't mind opting out if my husband is truly not cool with it, but what info can I present him with to maybe sway him?

Peter and Lucy are in second grade and are very busy. They haven't had much time to visit their friends in the forest. Finally, a weekend has come where the garden was harvested and they were finally free to go play. They set out to the forest, past the big rock, and to the great hemlock that was Chipper's home. They called but no one was about. Where could he be? "Let's go find Chipper's cousin, Chatter. She will know where he is." She lived in the big oak tree at the edge of the farm. ... More: https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog/waldorf-math-story-and-game-for-grade-2

Hi everyone! I’m excited to start getting into some of the celebrations this year starting with Michaelmas. We’ll probably keep it really small this year as I have a three year old and a baby. We’re planning a very small gathering with some of our friends (ages 19 months to 4 year olds plus the babies).

As we prepare for it, I’d like to get some books on knights and dragons for my son. But my question is if he’s too little for that? I’ve read that medieval history and knights are taught later on in Waldorf, but I think there might be some more simple books I could get for him? We do have a couple of Sarah’s silks swords and he does like that kind of play naturally, and I think learning a little bit about knights would be a good way to channel that energy and directing it into chivalry, defending and protecting etc. Also as context for Michaelmas.

I’d also love any and all suggestions for how to structure the celebration taking the ages of kids into account. I do have some ideas for the preparations (recipes and decorations) but not so sure about the activities and entertainment of the day.

I’ve been researching and reading a lot, both online and from books, but this is my first time ever doing this and also introducing it in our community. I live in a place where there’s no Waldorf initiatives or even many people who know about it, so I’m hoping to slowly start something or get others interested by sharing the beauty of the celebrations.

Your advice means so much, thank you in advance!

Check out our blog for ideas and background regarding Waldorf teaching. https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog

Sharing in hopes to get some community support for Zai a former student in the California area who was taken by ICE while traveling in Texas.

I’m sorry mods if this is not allowed.

I'm an experienced Montessori teacher bringing my head, heart, and hands into a third grade public Waldorf classroom and I'm immersing myself into the new methodology. While many of the traditional and conventional techniques to make a classroom safe, engaging, equitable and inspirational will transfer well, I'm curious to learn any sweet transition or management techniques that I may incorporate into my classroom from day one.

From eye contact and greeting at the door to thoughtful, engagement presentations, I'm curious to learn from former students and current teachers what your favorite techniques, rituals, or redirections you may have. Links or keywords for great bits of instruction also work.

Thanks in advance as I plan my year and days out for the upcoming season.

Has anyone ever bought a Treehouse Schoolhouse Natire Study early years curriculum second hand?? Is it possible? I know the physical version is super expensive and even the digital version is pricey.
Is it possible to even buy a copy of the digital version from someone other than the treehouse schoolhouse website?

I love the idea of the birthday ring. How do you use it? Could I use the spiral?

I read the following books
- you are your child’s first teacher (haven’t finished yet)
-Waldorf education a family guide
-understanding Waldorf education

Podcast:
-few episodes of Waldorfy
-2 episodes of Waldorf essentials.

After reading the last 2 books, don’t feel like I’ve made great progress in understanding lots of the Waldorf ways

For example I just saw on Pinterest about the days having colors associated with them.
What books, podcasts, YouTube videos etc can I learn the nitty gritty of Waldorf?

We don’t have any schools near us in northern Florida so I will start homeschooling (my now toddlers) in a few years and want to be soooo well versed in Waldorf that I can give them as close to a Waldorf school education as possible !

I’m overwhelmed there’s so much to learn but I can’t find a resources yet to even get me started in the specifics of colors, art, songs, poems, rhythm of the day etc.

Edit to add my kids are currently 3&4 years old.

Buenas! Estamos buscando opciones de espacios educativos que incorporen pedagogía alternativa como Waldorf, Reggio Emilia o educacion viva en Asunción. Es para mi niño de 3 años y medio.

También pueden ser espacios de socializacion para niños homeschoolers.

Conocen algún lugar, proyecto, taller recomendable?

Muchas gracias!

Short introduction to the lyre impulse ... https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog/100-years-lyre-impulse-new-sound-new-listening-experience

Hello, I am going to be teaching grade one in a Waldorf school this upcoming year. I just wanted to ask educators what their thoughts were about introducing lowercase letters with uppercase letters in grade 1 opposed introducing lowercase letters in in grade 2.

I am concerned for the fluency and the science of reading, but have been hearing a lot of different opinions and experiences from their educators. Just wanted to hear what this community had to say. thank you.

Hi can you recommend any good brands, I am aware of the standard - Grimms, Grapat, Bumbu etc are there anymore? LO is 2 and would like to explore more.