Monday, January 26, 2009

Small Spaces & Waldorf




The question came up on the list this week about how one could work within a small space. What essentials would a person need to homeschool within a space budget? List members have shared some great ideas for essential toys, crafting items and books. One of my favorite ideas was to use a window ledge as a nature table. This reminded me of all the other ways in which we creatively fit things into small spaces. We used to live in a condo and had very little space, but even now that we live in a house it seems that we still don't have enough space because my imagination is endless! If I had unlimited space and money I would have a music room, a craft room, a library, and...well, you get the idea! Even people with a lot of space can benefit from space saving ideas.






When I think of fitting a lot into a little space the first thing I do is try to scale everything down. Instead of purchasing large paper, you can purchase smaller sizes of watercolor paper. Instead of using an entire table for the nature table, why not use the window ledge, as a couple members already pointed out? Other things you can downsize -






1. A small table-top puppet theater can substitute for an entire shelf of wooden figures or even for a larger puppet show. This little theater is small and portable. It is also easy to store and easy to access when you want to use it for storytelling time (see picture).






2. There are so many things that are "table top" nowadays - how about a table-top blackboard? A table-top easel?






3. Instead of shelves with large baskets you can place smaller baskets of crafts and items around the house in different areas.






4. Instead of large blocks you can buy a small set of architecture blocks.






5. Instead of a piano or guitar or violin you can go with the traditional Waldorf recorder and/or kinder-harp. These are much smaller than the instruments many children play today and take less space to store.






6. Instead of a large dollhouse you can have the dolls live under a wooden mushroom, in a tree house (made from a trunk) or in a small tent.






7. Instead of a doll-bed, the dolls can co-sleep with the "little parent".






8. Instead of a stroller for the doll a child can use a miniature version of a sling to carry their doll.






Whatever you are thinking of buying think about what smaller versions there may be available. Of course, smaller is not always "better" if the child is 3 or under and still putting objects in their mouth. However, children over the age of 4 or 5 seem to have a fascination with small objects and toys. The popularity of "Polly Pockets" and "Littlest Pet Shop" mainstream toys have proven that with their great success in the mainstream market.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Reading and Writing in Waldorf Education

This can now be found at www.BEarthBLOG.com



Sunday, January 11, 2009

Science Through Herbs & Healing

Dear Members,

For Sunday Sharing I would like to share a curriculum I have had available for some time but have not had listed on the main EarthSchooling website. It has been tucked away at the new (and thus not many visitors yet) www.TheNaturalLivingChannel.com for some months now so I am trying to get the word out to more people. I have now placed descriptions about this curriclum on the Earthschooling site at:

Kids Can Heal

These classes provide you and your child with a unique way to explore science. I want to share two reasons why this curriculum is so close to my heart:

1. I was never interested in science until I started studying herbs and natural healing. I was always an A student, and did well in class but I always thought of science as a chore until I was given an opportunity to study it in a new way - through herbs, energy healing, iridology, reflexology, health, natural living and more.

2. One reason I teach my children at home is because I feel that the school system leaves out a lot of important scientific facts and information. There is an entire field of science that has just emerged as legitimate science in the past ten years (see the book "The Field" by Lynne McTaggart") but the schools are still teaching our understanding of science from 10-20 years ago and leaving out a lot of the new science!

These lesson blocks help you to explore these areas with your children and to provide more opportunities for them to become interested in science.

I would like to share with you a wonderful poem/excerpt by Sigurd Olson:

Listening Point
While we are born with curiosity and wodner and our early years full of the adventure they bring,
I know such inherent joys are often lost,
I also know, that being deep within us,
their latent glow can be fanned to flame again
by awareness and an open mind.

New Waldorf Channel Shows

New Waldorf Channel Shows



Public

Sample for inspiration: Spinning Wool with Stories & Tutorial

at: Spinning Wool





Private or Purchase

(for www.EarthSchooling.com members and members of www.HerbnHome.com forum

You can also purchase these (and support The Waldorf Channel) at: Video Downloads)

18-minute story & tutorial - Spinning Wool

Our Earthschooling & Waldorf Enrichment Day: Part One - Making Bread

Make Your Own Unique Spool-Knitter and How to Use It



Enjoy!

Blessings & Health,

Kristie

Friday, January 9, 2009

Counting in Nature

This post can now be found on our new blog at www.BEarthBLOG.com