On Scary Images -- from the nursery

Dear Families,

Below are thoughts I have gathered for a current and past nursery class. As I wrote and read them, I realized that some of you might find them helpful as you think about years ahead. I look forward to seeing you in class this Thursday and Friday.

Last February at the Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher's Conference, Johanna Steegmans (a wise woman and anthroposophical doctor from Seattle) was answering questions from Waldorf kindergarten teachers. One teacher described a situation in her classroom. She observed a group of girls playing with what seemed a delightful hum--cooperatively and quietly in the housekeeping corner with the dolls. The teacher went closer to try to hear what they were saying, and when she did, she heard one describe to the others, "And once we cook these babies, we'll eat them up." I am not Steegmans and cannot do justice to her response, but it related to how of course these 5 and 6 year old girls might need to play this out because of all the violent tumult of change in the rapid development of their inner organs. Steegmans was not telling the teacher not to do something (especially, I might say, if this game were about pretending to eat another child and really bothered that child, as well it might) but giving teachers a way to find an inspired response that came out of understanding and not kneejerk reaction (the rub of early childhood teaching and parenting, in which we find ourselves saying things such as, "Please stop licking the table!").

I know there have been some questions about what is an OK and not an OK image in child's play, and I remember writing a good deal about this 2 years ago. I am sharing the link below. The average age of the nursery class was a good deal older 2 years ago than in our currrent nursery class, so not everything would apply. I told The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids to that class, for example, and I wouldn't tell it yet to our current class. I thought it'd be helpful, nonetheless, in looking forward, to think about potentially upsetting images in fairy tales and imaginative play.

http://butterflynursery.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-newsletter-fairy-tales-gender.html

posted from Bloggeroid

posted from Bloggeroid

Different Format for classroom songs

Dear Families,

I had requests to send the classroom songs again in a different format.

See how this link works.

Blessings,

William Dolde

Beach morning tomorrow

Hi Families,

This is reminder that current, past, and future families are invited to gather at Maxwelton Beach from 9:30am to 12:30pm tomorrow, Friday, April 22 (note the new, slightly later end time for morning nappers).  Feel free to bring a brunch or lunch item to share (we will have a lunch at 11:30; I know some of you may have to leave before that for midday naps).  Please bring plates and utensils if you can.

Cheers,

William

No class this week or next

Dear Families,

Please remember that as of today, our school is closed until Monday, April 25. We will have no parent & child classes this week or next.

You are invited to the informal gathering at Maxwelton on Friday the 22nd.

Warmly,

William

April 22 Gathering

Dear nursery and parent & child families,

You and your children of all ages are invited to an informal gathering at Maxwelton beach on Friday, April 22nd, from 930 am to noon. Please bring a brunch potluck to share. The bathrooms are open, but the garbage cans have been removed.

I'll send a reminder next week.

Cheers

William

Summer Playgroup Details

Dear Parent & Child Families,

I will be offering a 6 week summer playgroup very similar to my nursery class (for children without their parents).  Follow this link for a brochure and details.

Thanks,

William

Verses and Welcome to the Spring Session

Dear Families,

Welcome to our Spring session of our parent & child classes at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School.  I look forward to seeing you these first 2 weeks of April (March 31, April 1, April 7, and April 8) and then again for 6 additional Thursdays and Fridays between April 28 and June 3.

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.

Here are songs and verses I say throughout the morning.  

Here are the spring verses and songs that I present before snack time.


Here are the lyrics to the songs I sing while we dance the Maypole.

As I hope the previous article suggested, you need feel no compulsion to sing any of these songs at home.  I place them out there so they are available for when the time is right.



With warmth and light,

William Geoffrey Dolde