Waldorf Education as an Art

"Waldorf education is not a pedagogical system but an art - the art of awakening what is actually there within the human being." Rudolf Steiner.

Its that time of year, planning for the new school year the world over form home educated children for children who maybe lucky enough to stay at home in early childhood. It’s so easy to be carried away on a whirlwind ideas with the ‘ideals’ of a life learning at home let us not forget the most important part of this process, it’s our home, our child and our journey will look VERY different to everyone else’s.

The little one turns three in September and in the U.K. this is a time many children her age begin a nursery or pre-school…knowing her, watching her, seeing her thrive, we know more and more her journey in learning is going to look very different from that of her siblings.

I see all the posts from beautiful waldorf homes and educators world wide, exploring a myriad of topics, and I have to remind myself to slow down to pause. As someone who has been educated in mainstream school this is just as much a journey of learning and transformation of unschooling for me as it is for the little one….as I see parents locally taking their children to school, taking about phonics and reading at home, maths and academics, I have to remind myself of the art of Waldorf education of its ability to awaken what is inside my little one, at a gentle and unhurried pace.

She IS the curriculum, and subsequently as she grows and progresses into academics it is still her unfolding into the world which her learning will support.

So how are we approaching the next yeaR?

🌈Play, and LOTS of it every day!

🌈Singing, Rhymes and stories in the oral tradition, often taken from my Waldorf Magic guide which follows the seasons (therefore tend to sit naturally with my child’s interests)

🌈 Being present in the life of the home through purposeful work and handwork, making our home a yes space!

🌈 Building connections and friendships, when she is ready through a local Steiner kindy and forest school.

🌈As a Catholic home I also weave in the Liturgical celebrations (so many of them) they enrich our home and faith life

@jamey_fisher_perkins Growing toward justice curriculum is something which I also have regard for, which I am using alongside our faith to build deep respect and connections with others

Other than that we navigate our days of play with time in nature and time just being active in community life, in the life of the home.

I am excited for our journey and feel so privileged for the opportunity to be able to do this with the little one. Remember you are you and your journey will look different to mine and that’s what I love about Social media and thus rich tapestry of home Ed accounts sharing, loving, caring.