Dear Families,
Our discussion at the snack table today about images of Mother Earth and Heavenly Knights brought to mind this article by Cecil Harwood on responding to children's questions. While a number of the children in our class are perhaps a little younger than the age described by Harwood, it might be helpful to be prepared. Harwood describes ways to respond to children in ways that nourish where they are in their development.
While we did not discuss it today, the topic of responding to children's questions reminds me of another part of life with young children. When and what point is it appropriate to ask young children questions or to give them lots of choices? I was blessed to work with Hari Grebler a Waldorf trained RIE teacher in Los Angeles (next week I'll provide more information in RIE). For Grebler, as for many RIE instructors, we help infants and toddlers when we provide them safe and secure and predictable environments that allow them to experiment and strengthen themselves and progress in their own way and in their own time--rather than trying to rush them along on a schedule so that they get ahead. Grebler found it important to allow children's minds to develop in a beautiful and unhurried way. According to Grebler, when we ask young children lots of questions ("What do you like?" "What did you do in school today?" "Do you know why I'm upset?" "What's the capitol of Oklahoma?") or give them lots of choices ("Do you want to eat dinner now or later?" "Which coat do you want to wear?" and the like), we are asking them to use an intellectual muscle that has not been given the proper amount of time to develop. It would be like forcing a child to walk before she or he is ready.
That being said, I find in other ways it is important to give our children lots of choices. Rather than telling a child how to use this or that toy (or to play with the toy and not the box), if we observe that they are being safe and engaged, we can let them explore in a variety of ways. I wrote this article about choices in response to this contradiction I observed.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Jars and missing bear
Dear Families,
I look forward to seeing you in class Thursday. If we have extra soup--as I expect we will--I will be happy to send home jars with families. It would be a great help if you can bring in extra jars (empty spaghetti sauce jars, pickle jars, and the like).
My 7 year old helped decorate for last Friday's festival. He used a scarecrow teddy bear his grandmother sent him. It was on the counter in my classroom. We could not find it when the day was over and wonder if another family inadvertently picked it up thinking it was theirs.
Thanks,
William Geoffrey Dolde
I look forward to seeing you in class Thursday. If we have extra soup--as I expect we will--I will be happy to send home jars with families. It would be a great help if you can bring in extra jars (empty spaghetti sauce jars, pickle jars, and the like).
My 7 year old helped decorate for last Friday's festival. He used a scarecrow teddy bear his grandmother sent him. It was on the counter in my classroom. We could not find it when the day was over and wonder if another family inadvertently picked it up thinking it was theirs.
Thanks,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Songs before snack time
Dear Families,
Here are the words to the rhymes and songs we sing before snack time. Many of the verses and songs I use come from Wilma Ellersiek. In the 1950s, Ellersiek was alarmed as German kindergartens strove to keep up with America and became more academic. She felt this cognitive pressure at a young age would have a negative effect on children as they grew up. Ellersiek--who had been a music and drama and movement teacher at the university level--began to create a series of games and songs--some out of nonsense, some in imitation of nature--as an antidote to the stress of early academics. Researchers in Germany soon discovered that academics too soon did not work to make strong students in later years, and play-centered kindergartens returned. Ellersiek, however, continued her work. She was a keen observer of nature and of children.
The story goes that in the Black Forest, Ellersiek (who initially had no affiliation with Waldorf education) net Klara Hatterman, who had been a Waldorf kindergarten teacher for decades. The two hit it off at once, and Hatterman began bring Ellersiek games and rhymes not only to her own classroom, but also to other Waldorf early childhood teachers world wide.
There are now several books published in America that contain the songs and finger games of Wilma Ellersiek. Ellersiek loved young children, and she was thorough. Her directions are involved, even intimidating. I find it easiest to learn the games with another adult guiding. For this reason, I find it helpful for me to offer a number of Ellersiek games and rhymes in my classes. Other traditional fingerplays and songs and verses are also wonderful, and one could teach a fantastic Waldorf parent & child class never using material from Ellersiek. That being said, I find that young children tend to adore her games, and I find myself adding more and more of her verses to my repertoire as the years progress.
To read more about Wilma Ellersiek, visit this link. You can also read more about her and Waldorf education in the Kathrine Dickerson Memorial Library (upstairs from our classroom). As part of our classes, you are welcome to check out books for parents and children.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Here are the words to the rhymes and songs we sing before snack time. Many of the verses and songs I use come from Wilma Ellersiek. In the 1950s, Ellersiek was alarmed as German kindergartens strove to keep up with America and became more academic. She felt this cognitive pressure at a young age would have a negative effect on children as they grew up. Ellersiek--who had been a music and drama and movement teacher at the university level--began to create a series of games and songs--some out of nonsense, some in imitation of nature--as an antidote to the stress of early academics. Researchers in Germany soon discovered that academics too soon did not work to make strong students in later years, and play-centered kindergartens returned. Ellersiek, however, continued her work. She was a keen observer of nature and of children.
The story goes that in the Black Forest, Ellersiek (who initially had no affiliation with Waldorf education) net Klara Hatterman, who had been a Waldorf kindergarten teacher for decades. The two hit it off at once, and Hatterman began bring Ellersiek games and rhymes not only to her own classroom, but also to other Waldorf early childhood teachers world wide.
There are now several books published in America that contain the songs and finger games of Wilma Ellersiek. Ellersiek loved young children, and she was thorough. Her directions are involved, even intimidating. I find it easiest to learn the games with another adult guiding. For this reason, I find it helpful for me to offer a number of Ellersiek games and rhymes in my classes. Other traditional fingerplays and songs and verses are also wonderful, and one could teach a fantastic Waldorf parent & child class never using material from Ellersiek. That being said, I find that young children tend to adore her games, and I find myself adding more and more of her verses to my repertoire as the years progress.
To read more about Wilma Ellersiek, visit this link. You can also read more about her and Waldorf education in the Kathrine Dickerson Memorial Library (upstairs from our classroom). As part of our classes, you are welcome to check out books for parents and children.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Welcome to the Fall Session
Dear Families,
Welcome to our Fall session of our parent & child classes at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. I look forward to seeing you from 9 to 11am this Thursday, September 23, for our first Dewdrop class of the fall session.
For families new to our program, this synopsis of the parent & child morning may help provide a sense of what your child and you will experience each week. We try to make the class meet the needs of the children and parents, so I will adjust the rhythm if, for example, the class has more younger or older children. Over the years, I have witnessed children of many ages thrive in a rhythm like the one described.
Here is additional information about our program:
Our classes take place in the Butterfly Room, the first room you come to when you go down the stairs in the main building.
Vegetables and Extra Clothes -- We will make vegetable soup and bread every week; children love to explore, play, and help when their parents and teacher join together in community work such as cooking. Please bring a vegetable if possible. Our classes try to make activities such as washing dishes inviting for children (and their parents). While I try to keep splashing to a reasonable level, your child may get very wet. Please bring a change of clothes.
Children will do well to have slippers or thick socks--we try to leave our wet and muddy boots out of the play area.
All current, past, and future families are invited to our Autumn festival on Friday, September 24, from 9 to 10:30am.
Here are songs and verses I say throughout the morning. After we have had a week of class and I have confirmed that my Autumn circle feels right for our children, I will share those lyrics as well.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Welcome to our Fall session of our parent & child classes at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. I look forward to seeing you from 9 to 11am this Thursday, September 23, for our first Dewdrop class of the fall session.
For families new to our program, this synopsis of the parent & child morning may help provide a sense of what your child and you will experience each week. We try to make the class meet the needs of the children and parents, so I will adjust the rhythm if, for example, the class has more younger or older children. Over the years, I have witnessed children of many ages thrive in a rhythm like the one described.
Here is additional information about our program:
Our classes take place in the Butterfly Room, the first room you come to when you go down the stairs in the main building.
Vegetables and Extra Clothes -- We will make vegetable soup and bread every week; children love to explore, play, and help when their parents and teacher join together in community work such as cooking. Please bring a vegetable if possible. Our classes try to make activities such as washing dishes inviting for children (and their parents). While I try to keep splashing to a reasonable level, your child may get very wet. Please bring a change of clothes.
Children will do well to have slippers or thick socks--we try to leave our wet and muddy boots out of the play area.
All current, past, and future families are invited to our Autumn festival on Friday, September 24, from 9 to 10:30am.
Here are songs and verses I say throughout the morning. After we have had a week of class and I have confirmed that my Autumn circle feels right for our children, I will share those lyrics as well.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Corrected Autumn Festival Invitation
Dear Families,
Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, Parents, Grandparents, and Friends are invited to our Autumn Festival on Friday, September 24, from 9 to 10:30am.
As summer changes to fall, days shorten, and the frost and cold of winter approaches, we as humans need strength and courage to help us stand upright through the darkness of winter. Different cultures have received inspiration from the meteor showers (heavenly iron, shooting stars) they observed around late September; the iron from the stars of heaven gave people strength. In various cultures and religions, this comes forth as a tale of a hero--a knight like St. George or Archangel Michael conquering or taming a dragon. For Rudolf Steiner, this battle between a knight and a dragon goes on inside each one of us--the dragon is not some Other out there to be excluded, but, rather, that part of ourselves that we need to confront, acknowledge, and tame so we are ready to be free individuals capable of serving humanity and the world.
Explanations of a psychic battle inside each of us or battles with dragons can be too much for children birth to 4, who, rather, find seasonal inspiration as days shorten and nights lengthen by looking in wonderment toward the stars. An early childhood teacher could simplify the celebration of Michaelmas toward an examination of stars--singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and cutting open an apple to reveal the star come to earth on the inside.
On Friday the 25th parents and children will gather outside to play and share a snack (Nursery children and I will have baked extra bread and made extra soup in class that week). We will also have a harvest dance to tune of the fiddle. Then we'll go inside for a puppet show. After that, we will walk to the woods to meet (as a surprise for the children) a knight from the stars and Mother Earth--they will both present us with gifts. After the walk, children and parents will depart with their gifts.
Again, this festival is open to current nursery and parent & child children and to all families in our community with young children. Please contact us at 341-5686 or enrollment@whidbey.com with any questions.
Parents of children of all ages are invited to a joint faculty, parent, and community study at the pavilion at WIWS on the night before, Thursday, September 23, from 7 to 9pm. William Dolde, our parent & child teacher, will address adults at that study. He will guide the community in singing, talk a bit about Rudolf Steiner's description of Michaelmas, and tell a longish fairy tell that resonates with the themes of Michaelmas.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, Parents, Grandparents, and Friends are invited to our Autumn Festival on Friday, September 24, from 9 to 10:30am.
As summer changes to fall, days shorten, and the frost and cold of winter approaches, we as humans need strength and courage to help us stand upright through the darkness of winter. Different cultures have received inspiration from the meteor showers (heavenly iron, shooting stars) they observed around late September; the iron from the stars of heaven gave people strength. In various cultures and religions, this comes forth as a tale of a hero--a knight like St. George or Archangel Michael conquering or taming a dragon. For Rudolf Steiner, this battle between a knight and a dragon goes on inside each one of us--the dragon is not some Other out there to be excluded, but, rather, that part of ourselves that we need to confront, acknowledge, and tame so we are ready to be free individuals capable of serving humanity and the world.
Explanations of a psychic battle inside each of us or battles with dragons can be too much for children birth to 4, who, rather, find seasonal inspiration as days shorten and nights lengthen by looking in wonderment toward the stars. An early childhood teacher could simplify the celebration of Michaelmas toward an examination of stars--singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and cutting open an apple to reveal the star come to earth on the inside.
On Friday the 25th parents and children will gather outside to play and share a snack (Nursery children and I will have baked extra bread and made extra soup in class that week). We will also have a harvest dance to tune of the fiddle. Then we'll go inside for a puppet show. After that, we will walk to the woods to meet (as a surprise for the children) a knight from the stars and Mother Earth--they will both present us with gifts. After the walk, children and parents will depart with their gifts.
Again, this festival is open to current nursery and parent & child children and to all families in our community with young children. Please contact us at 341-5686 or enrollment@whidbey.com with any questions.
Parents of children of all ages are invited to a joint faculty, parent, and community study at the pavilion at WIWS on the night before, Thursday, September 23, from 7 to 9pm. William Dolde, our parent & child teacher, will address adults at that study. He will guide the community in singing, talk a bit about Rudolf Steiner's description of Michaelmas, and tell a longish fairy tell that resonates with the themes of Michaelmas.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Missing vest, date correction
Dear Parent & Child Families, Friends, and Community Members,
I apologize if I provided the incorrect date for this Friday's Autumn Festival for young children. It will occur this Friday, September 24, from 9 to 10:30am, at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. It is an outdoor festival.
A white vest was left at our sample parent & child class last last Thursday.
Respectfully,
William Geoffrey Dolde
I apologize if I provided the incorrect date for this Friday's Autumn Festival for young children. It will occur this Friday, September 24, from 9 to 10:30am, at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. It is an outdoor festival.
A white vest was left at our sample parent & child class last last Thursday.
Respectfully,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Invitation to Our 2010 Autumn Festival in 2 Weeks
Dear Families,
Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, Parents, Grandparents, and Friends are invited to our Autumn Festival on Friday, September 25, from 9 to 10:30am.
As summer changes to fall, days shorten, and the frost and cold of winter approaches, we as humans need strength and courage to help us stand upright through the darkness of winter. Different cultures have received inspiration from the meteor showers (heavenly iron, shooting stars) they observed around late September; the iron from the stars of heaven gave people strength. In various cultures and religions, this comes forth as a tale of a hero--a knight like St. George or Archangel Michael conquering or taming a dragon. For Rudolf Steiner, this battle between a knight and a dragon goes on inside each one of us--the dragon is not some Other out there to be excluded, but, rather, that part of ourselves that we need to confront, acknowledge, and tame so we are ready to be free individuals capable of serving humanity and the world.
Explanations of a psychic battle inside each of us or battles with dragons can be too much for children birth to 4, who, rather, find seasonal inspiration as days shorten and nights lengthen by looking in wonderment toward the stars. An early childhood teacher could simplify the celebration of Michaelmas toward an examination of stars--singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and cutting open an apple to reveal the star come to earth on the inside.
On Friday the 25th parents and children will gather outside to play and share a snack (Nursery children and I will have baked extra bread and made extra soup in class that week). We will also have a harvest dance to tune of the fiddle. Then we'll go inside for a puppet show. After that, we will walk to the woods to meet (as a surprise for the children) a knight from the stars and Mother Earth--they will both present us with gifts. After the walk, children and parents will depart with their gifts.
Again, this festival is open to current nursery and parent & child children and to all families in our community with young children. Please contact us at 341-5686 or enrollment@whidbey.com with any questions.
Parents of children of all ages are invited to a joint faculty, parent, and community study at the pavilion at WIWS on the night before, Thursday, September 23, from 7 to 9pm. William Dolde, our parent & child teacher, will address adults at that study. More details will follow.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, Parents, Grandparents, and Friends are invited to our Autumn Festival on Friday, September 25, from 9 to 10:30am.
As summer changes to fall, days shorten, and the frost and cold of winter approaches, we as humans need strength and courage to help us stand upright through the darkness of winter. Different cultures have received inspiration from the meteor showers (heavenly iron, shooting stars) they observed around late September; the iron from the stars of heaven gave people strength. In various cultures and religions, this comes forth as a tale of a hero--a knight like St. George or Archangel Michael conquering or taming a dragon. For Rudolf Steiner, this battle between a knight and a dragon goes on inside each one of us--the dragon is not some Other out there to be excluded, but, rather, that part of ourselves that we need to confront, acknowledge, and tame so we are ready to be free individuals capable of serving humanity and the world.
Explanations of a psychic battle inside each of us or battles with dragons can be too much for children birth to 4, who, rather, find seasonal inspiration as days shorten and nights lengthen by looking in wonderment toward the stars. An early childhood teacher could simplify the celebration of Michaelmas toward an examination of stars--singing "Twinkle Twinkle" and cutting open an apple to reveal the star come to earth on the inside.
On Friday the 25th parents and children will gather outside to play and share a snack (Nursery children and I will have baked extra bread and made extra soup in class that week). We will also have a harvest dance to tune of the fiddle. Then we'll go inside for a puppet show. After that, we will walk to the woods to meet (as a surprise for the children) a knight from the stars and Mother Earth--they will both present us with gifts. After the walk, children and parents will depart with their gifts.
Again, this festival is open to current nursery and parent & child children and to all families in our community with young children. Please contact us at 341-5686 or enrollment@whidbey.com with any questions.
Parents of children of all ages are invited to a joint faculty, parent, and community study at the pavilion at WIWS on the night before, Thursday, September 23, from 7 to 9pm. William Dolde, our parent & child teacher, will address adults at that study. More details will follow.
With warmth and light,
William Geoffrey Dolde
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sample Class This Thursday
Dear Families,
You and your children birth to three are invited to join us for a free parent & child class this Thursday from 9 to 11am in the Butterfly Classroom at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. While parents and teacher work together to peel and chop vegetables for soup, knead bread dough, and churn cream into butter, children are welcome to help with the work or play and explore in the classroom. We fill the morning with song and music--and provide partner games, finger plays, and simple puppet shows intended to delight young children. Please rsvp to 360-341-5686 or enrollment@whidbey.com.
Our fall session begins next Thursday, September 23. You may obtain an application at school or by visiting this link.
You and your children birth to three are invited to join us for a free parent & child class this Thursday from 9 to 11am in the Butterfly Classroom at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. While parents and teacher work together to peel and chop vegetables for soup, knead bread dough, and churn cream into butter, children are welcome to help with the work or play and explore in the classroom. We fill the morning with song and music--and provide partner games, finger plays, and simple puppet shows intended to delight young children. Please rsvp to 360-341-5686 or enrollment@whidbey.com.
Our fall session begins next Thursday, September 23. You may obtain an application at school or by visiting this link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)