Waldorf Principle Explored: 3-Day-Rhythm If you embrace Waldorf education you have probably heard about the importance of the 3-day-rhythm. One of the central principles of this method is that allowing the child to “sleep on” a lesson will allow them to absorb the information more deeply and explore it more efficiently the following two days. Huffington Post While all of our brains get […]
Waldorf
The Decline of Play and Rise in Children’s Mental Disorders
This is part of our “Waldorf Education in the News” series. We use this series of posts to direct you to news relating to Waldorf educational principles highlighted in the news or supported by scientific studies. To see more articles like this click the “Waldorf in the News” link to the right. You can use this […]
Teaching Spanish Waldorf Style
Member Question: How do you teach Spanish language using the Waldorf concept? I looked around online, and the only thing I found is a reference to a book, “Andando Caminos” by Elena Forrer. Any ideas teaching and introducing Spanish to elementary children. I tutor Spanish to English speaking children and I rely on Bilingual videos on YouTube […]
Storytelling Tips for Teachers & Parents
Question: Are there examples of written story summaries anywhere? I am struggling with creating concise, accurate summaries for long stories. Currently I am writing what my daughter and I create together, but it goes on and on sometimes. TIA! Right now I am working on all the September lessons – Rapunzel, The Boy Who Cried […]
Why Do We Put the Whole Before the Parts (Math)?
In Waldorf education there are variations on how the times tables are taught. However, one constant remains – that we always work from the whole to the parts. But what does that mean and why do we do that? In Waldorf classrooms different teachers recite the times tables with their classes in different ways. In […]
10 Tips on Teaching Different Ages Together
1. Always have an older child teach a younger child something when possible. That way you have two children occupied and one less Main Lesson to teach. I remember my second grader used to help me with all my classes when she was little. She was like a mini Waldorf teacher – sooo cute! 2. […]
Summer Verse for G1 & G2 Members
How the corn has grown ripe in the Summer’s hot days, And the reaping began with the sun’s early rays, Mike and Jack since the morn, Have been cutting the corn, Which is bound up by Peggy and Sue; And sweet, flaunting poppies and flow’rets of blue Wag their heads o’er the sheaves and seem nodding […]
How Do I Move on from Kindergarten Stories with Props?
Question from John and Karen: Right now all my stories for my pre/K child are done with figures and props. When it comes to 1st grade are main lesson stories only told using chalkboard drawings or can puppetry type storytelling still be used? Reply from Waldorf Teacher Diane Power: To tell stories in the grades, it becomes […]
How Can I Help My Kids Catch Up in the Summer?
Question from Angil: Do you have suggestions for “summer school” to round out the missing lessons from 3rd grade – math, and reading (very slow reader and fluctuations in interest)? Reply from Waldorf Teacher Diane Power: “Summer school” I always encouraged the parents to allow their child to play outdoors as much as possible, make things together, […]
My Son Had Trouble Knitting in First Grade
Question from Gina: My son had a hard time with knitting in first grade. He didnt want to stick with in for more than a few minutes at a time, complaining of his hands hurting or wanting to do somethimg else. Now we are moving on to second grade where crochet comes in. Do you […]
Can I Teach the Solar System in First Grade?
Question from Melissa: There has been recent discussion on several Waldorf pages pertaining to teaching younger children about the solar system or the night sky in general. It looks to me like the solar system is not taught until about 6th grade. Is there a specific reason for that? My girls are 6 1/2 and fascinated […]
Block Crayons and Developmental Skills
Question from Esther: I have a question about Stockmar vs Filana crayons. We have found that the Filana transfers to the paper much more easily, but you can still get different results applying different pressures. I would like to know if there is a reason why Stockmar for Waldorf other than the wanting of a beeswax […]