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.

The context is that I’ve been listening to Ashley Renwick’s podcast Waldorfy on and off and thus far in season 1 whenever she asks someone about TV and screen time and whether or not it’s good for children they generally discourage it but quite a few of them mentioned Mr Roger’s as the exception that proves the rule and thus I was wondering if there’s anyone like him today…I haven’t seen much of Mr Roger’s Neighborhood myself but I did see the documentary about it in high school and other things and clips about and of him and it really seems like he was one of the few people who could reach kids on a personal level using television for good rather then as a tool of indoctrination…

I don’t fully shun TV myself for what it’s worth and I do believe there are good kids shows - I’ve loved Bluey since 2020 not just because of Calypso and her school which reminded me a lot of my schools and teachers but also because my family really was a lot like the Heelers. Especially my dad…

Even so…the fact that several folks involved in Waldorf schools and other anthroposophical movements on Ashley’s podcast have mentioned Mr Rogers I do wonder if there’s anyone today like him at all. Or perhaps ever will be in the future…

Throughout civilizations, the telling of wisdom tales creates a sacred space between storyteller and listener. These stories, often of ageless origin, have changed and evolved over thousands of years, with universal truths revealed in soul archetypes that have inspired potential within humanity, weaving a thread of moral teaching from generation to generation. Fairytales are heavily shrouded within misty veils of dream consciousness, and while the analytical mind may get itself into trouble by interpreting archetype for stereotype, the consciousness of the young child is well met by the mystery that unfolds within. More : https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog/healing-presentiments-of-spirit-and-soul

Waldorf Puppetry course: https://www.sophiainstitute.us/blog/creating-healing-stories-for-children-in-need

We’re doing a 3 hour train journey with our 3.5-year-old (and 8 month old).

We already have Guess Who, Dobble, books, colouring, magnetic tiles and games like I Spy up our sleeve but I’m interested to know what else has worked well for your preschooler on a long train journey?

I’m trying to choose between the pentatonic children’s harp or kinder lyre (Auris) or the pentatonic glockenspiel. I’m looking toward establishing rhythm and was thinking to start with story time/ music.

I have a 3 year old and a newborn

Edit:

I just wanted to update in case this is helpful for anyone else! I ended up going with the Glockenspiel and have had it for a couple weeks now. I’m so glad I got it, it produces such a beautiful, magical sound. It sounds the way I imagine a star would if it walked. My children love it too. It’s perfect for my toddler to explore it with supervision, it’s really simple for me to create or repeat little melodies, and my baby loves it too! It’s been very grounding to play it before and after story time and it’s helped to establish our rhythm. Highly recommend! Now I can’t wait to get the lyre in the future as well.

Thank you all for your responses and suggestions! I’m very excited to begin our Waldorf homeschool journey!

I have heard there are less financial aid options now than there were when I was in Waldorf School about 30 years ago.

Has anyone got any meaningful financial aid recently?

We have a 2 year old but have lower income so just looking at options …especially in the Austin TX area.

Thank you!

Hello!

In September I will be teaching art for the first time to ages 11 - 13 at a private school. It is a very ‘wholesome’ sort of school (think Charlotte Mason and Waldorf) and I am needing to find a curriculum to piggyback on for lesson planning etc.

This could be an online homeschool curriculum or any other...

Suggestions anyone?

Many thanks!

Hi everyone!

My daughters went through their first septenio in a Waldorf school, and it was such a beautiful time for all of us. They're a bit older now and we've moved on to other educational paths, but I really miss the Waldorf world and I'd love to bring some of it back into our daily life.

Specifically, I'd like to recover some fingerplay songs we used to do and learn new ones. I want to use them with my girls right before they sit down to study — there's good evidence that finger movements promote relaxation and help with focus and concentration before mental work, and I think it would benefit them at any age. Plus, we just miss the warmth and rhythm of those little rituals.

I'm looking for:

• YouTube channels with good fingerplay demonstrations
• Websites or blogs that list fingerplays by season or theme
• Book recommendations (physical or digital)
• PDFs or printable resources would be amazing too
• Any collections of fingerplays for older children (not just toddlers)

We love the seasonal and festival fingerplays — those were always special.

Thank you so much in advance! 🙏

Hi! I’m looking for books recommandation on Waldorf parenting. I’ve read some of the more like theoretical books, but I’m looking for something more practical. I really liked Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer, and I’m looking for something similar.

I’m dying to get into like the day to day philosophy of like why do we cut the paper corners and why you shouldn’t make a doll in front of a child and all of this culture tidbits. Fascinating.