What is Waldorf in the Home?

Waldorf in the home may refer to:

• Waldorf homemaking
• Waldorf parenting
• Waldorf homeschooling

                         or

• Waldorf Nursery Care Program
• Waldorf Morning Garden Program 
  
  

Waldorf in the home refers to bringing aspects of Waldorf education into home life. 

An Approach

Waldorf education is an educational approach, not a philosophy or method, but an approach based on spiritual science, also known as anthroposophy. It was developed by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century and is based on a particular picture of the human being, with stages of development that the child goes through. (Adults have our own stages of development, that’s for another post.) Bringing aspects of Waldorf education into the home can be nourishing to all, and provide a strong foundation for healthy family life.

Timing

Waldorf education emphasizes the right thing at the right time. The Waldorf approach isn’t against things like movies and yoga and dance lessons for young children, it’s for them - at the right time developmentally. 

Intentional

The subjects of the grades school curriculum are not arbitrary, and the layout of the kindergarten is done with clear intent, from the colors to the materials in the room, to the particular stories that are told, it’s that way for a reason.

Holistic

Waldorf education emphasizes the development of the whole child, with an emphasis on imagination, free play and exploration, learning through the arts (rather than learning about the arts) in an environment that is warm, beautiful and connected to the broader community.

When people talk about Waldorf in the home, they often mean incorporating Waldorf ways into their family life and parenting practices.

Aspects of Waldorf in the home:

 Rhythm, Repetition and Reverence

 Imaginative Play

 Natural Materials

Artistic Experiences

Nourishing Meals

Time in Nature

Good Sleep and Time for Rest

Purposeful Work to Imitate

Minimal Screen Time

Respect for Child Development

Atmosphere of Gratitude, Reverence, Awe and Wonder

Joy, Humor and Happiness

Atmosphere of Warmth and Love

Adults Working on their Inner Development

Note that not all families who bring Waldorf ways into their home life strictly adhere to every aspect of this approach. Each family finds it own way into what speaks to them, adapting these ways to suit their individual values and circumstances.

I originally began this piece with a small blurb on each of the elements. Then it started to feel unwieldly in its length. So instead I'll take them up separately, maybe here on the blog or on my Instagram account over here. 

Thanks for reading!

Warmly,