Every Wednesday our members get to ask Waldorf teacher Diane Power questions about their homeschooling experience, Waldorf education and more. These Q & A sessions are posted on the member blog every week so you have access to all the past Q & A sessions. Become a member of Earthschooling to get your questions answered personally every week.
Question: Not a schooling question. I have a little guy who just turned a year old. I’m wondering what are the best activities to set him up with while we are trying to complete some schooling. He likes to throw all of his shapes and balls, he like to stand up and then drop down on his bum (not yet walking). He received a ton of toys for his birthday but shows very little interest in anything (they’re mostly garbagy cheap plastic things). I want to keep my expectations realistic, but would still like to encourage and challenge him. He is starting to express his unhappiness (no matter how fleeting) by throwing his body, and has hit his face off of the coffee table and other places a few times now, I’d like to try to avoid that as much as possible too. I keep thinking he could do this or that with us, but then I worry about him putting everything in his mouth (play dough, modeling clay, paint, etc). Thanks.
Answer from Waldorf Teacher Diane Power: Hi Sara! Challenging question! Would your little guy allow you to wear him in a sling or backpack so he can observe and feel part of the action without getting into the paints, etc.? At his age, he wants to be with you to observe and imitate as he learns about the world around him. If you have time and/or have the other children help you make edible playdough, set up a painting station where he paints with water only, string big wooden beads during handwork, have his own instrument like a tambourine or shaker – ideas like this where he can participate at his level with his attention span, but most of all feel included.
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