Puppetry in Early Childhood

“Puppetry is the remedy to the ravages of civilisation” Rudolf Steiner.

Puppetry and storytelling using props and puppets has brought great joy over the centuries for people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, it has been and still is enjoyed by everyone, young and old, rich or poor. Puppets over the centuries have passed down great legends and stories, brought laughter and joy to others. The healing power of puppets and storytelling is something which nourishes the child. The puppet becomes an extension of the child’s inner soul, through puppetry and play therapy children can play through their inner most feelings, feelings and thoughts which may be buried deep within. It’s no surprise then the importance puppetry has in Waldorf Education...it is a cornerstone of Oral Storytelling in early childhood.

I have wanted to much to create a little ‘theatre’ with which I can set up for puppet shows at home, to tell stories from my monthly guides as well as other well know classics. An intentional space, and intentional prop - which when the little one sees knows a show is coming..and when she engages in play there may work through the story and props we use in her own way. So the past few days I worked on creating a little theatre made from the left over MDF we’ve had in the shed from our living room shelving.

And here it is. A lovely little stand perfect for storytelling and play. Simply three pieces of wood which I then painter white, fixed together with a piano hinge and coloured using chalk and a damp cloth to create a lazure effect. I attached a couple of pegs to the back to attach notes and prompts too (as we all need a little prompt sometimes with a new story)

I have a few posts lined up over the next couple of weeks about oral storytelling and puppetry in early childhood, simply follow the hashtag #storytellingwiththewaywewaldorf to follow them all.

For now why not have a go at making an intentional space for some theatre - you don’t have to use wood - you could replace the wood with cardboard, paint and then wash in the same way.

This is my #wednesdaywaldorfwisdom why not see what my friends are posting today

Raincloud Crystal Mobile

🌧 Raincloud Crystal Mobile 🌈

So we have gotten off to a slow start this week with our Sunshine Rain and Rainbows theme due to me being ill! But we have enjoyed the bits we have done nonetheless.

Since I moved the decorations we had to our seasonal table display i have been pondering a way to display the crystals I bought for the window they are so special I wanted to show them off.

I came up with the idea of adapting the rain-chime from my Waldorf magic Guide and hanging a crystal in there, turning the tin can everything was hanging from into a cloud.

So this afternoon the little one helped me thread the lovely blue teardrop beads we bought onto some thread and I attached them to an old tin I had saved for crafting. She then helped me cut some wire with wire cutters to create a hook she did very well bending the wire (so strong!), and stuck wool roving straight to the tin can.

I hope you agree it looks beautiful as a centrepiece in our playroom at the table, hanging above our wheatgrass grown from our @my____fable butterfly kit casting tiny rainbows all over the playroom walls and floor .A lovely conversation starter and bound to make immersing ourselves in the changeable weather magical when we are inside!

Swipe for a couple of videos of it in motion and a peep at how I hung the Crystal on a wire hook inside the tin.

Wax Raindrops

So I wanted to share how lovely our beeswax raindrops worked out yesterday before I forget.

I decided to use grated crayon and beeswax pellets to allow parts which were a little more translucent.

The little one loved grating the wax crayon so much, I think she would have happily grated all her crayons away if I let her...maybe I should, and melt them down into moulds - into a new shape.

I have always done beeswax hearts for Valentine’s, but never really thought of anything else, but when thinking of crafts for the Waldorf Magic guide for April, thought this would lend itself perfectly to raindrops! Lovely in the sunshine too!

Signing off posting now before my phone explodes! Have a wonderful evening everybody!