If your children are infant/toddler age, and they
are awake, go spend time with them!
If they're sleeping, go take a shower, have a snack, or do something that refreshes and relaxes you.
GET OFF THE COMPUTER.
You don't need a curriculum. Be a happy mom. Be a happy dad.
Seriously.
In the Steiner/Waldorf philosophy,
"preschool children are devoted to their surroundings, living in intense absorption in all that goes on,
imitating into their very organs the soul attitudes of the adults who care for them"
"the ether body [at night] is repeating and developing the previous day's thinking and feelings, which are working into the physical constitution for good or ill"
In other words, your health affects your child's health. So please take very good care of yourself!!!
Of course, I know some of you are still on the computer, because there are things
you have questions about. First, let me say that you should NOT become obsessed
with giving your child the perfect start. This is a huge trap that
seems to really swallow people up and folks interested in Waldorf
are particularly susceptible to it. Just be kind to yourself and do your
best.
Having said that, for some tips on childhood development, the home environment, and parenting toddlers,
there are some very good books. Here are a few I recommend:
If your main concern is on establishing rhythms for your day, complete with songs, verses, and stories, get
Shea Darian's
book and the accompanying CD.
If you want to know about child development, parenting, and
what-do-I-do-with-my-child and can only afford one book to cover from now until
the beginning of school (ages birth to the change of teeth), get Sally Schwizer's book.
It's my favorite all-in-one recommendation!
It's written by a pediatric OT. I've used it as a book group book; I know Waldorf schools have as well. It is really wonderful. Inspirational. Not preachy. Full of ideas. And timely. Especially for people to give themselves permission to just let their children go play in their yards!!!!
8 months old... he is no longer trying to eat his board books. He is sitting and looking and listening. When we put him down he crawls over and picks one out.
9 months old... Zac is ready and interested in little puppet shows with his animals. So sweet!
Waldorf Finger Puppets / Story Aprons blog post - we are about to dye playsilks for him too.
washing, hulling, and eating ripe strawberries
crushing, smelling, and tasting fresh herbs: mint, rosemary, basil, pineapple sage, chives
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