Last week I left my little birds in a waldorf kindergarten room and gathered with the other mamas upstairs for the Shining Star Waldorf Homeschooling Conference. It was a full week of presentations and discussions, with many hands on activities to support homeschooling, specifically inspired by waldorf education. We worked in main lesson books, took notes on temperaments, block planning, festivals, storytelling and more. We sang, played games, used bean bags and balance beams, clapping games and circles. We worked directly on weaving, wet on wet watercolor, form drawing and coloring, playing the pentatonic flute. We connected on parenting issues, homeschooling journeys, tasks and rhythms. So much was packed into the daylight hours. It was a delightfully full week and the warmth generated between the mothers and teachers has left much inspiration in my heart.
My children of course were both excited and overstimulated by the full days down in the kindergarten room, with so many children and so much noise. There was the silliest bit of conflict with the children held together in such a large group away from home, while we soaked in as much as we could, as quick as we could upstairs, before gathering up our baskets to head home. Home. And it looks as if home is where we will be staying.
I've always planned to homeschool at some point I was just never sure when. I'm fairly passionate about homeschooling in many forms (including unschooling.) And yet, I really love love loved the waldorf farmschool that Jbird attended last year. We were considering going back for kindergarten, but for now all arrows are pointing towards staying home. After realizing how much sweeter our days were without being framed by the drop off and pick up at school, it feels like the right decision to keep Jbird at home. Waldorf Kindergarten doesn't require any specific curriculum or planning, but there are structures and rhythms I'm hoping to build into place to support the future grades. For now, it feels like the right direction and I feel lucky that I have so many options nearby if we change steps.
As I expected, things have come together. Rooster is back at work full time and all the pieces are falling into place. The weather is already feeling a bit "fall-ish" and I can sense a season of strength and courage coming towards us.
I am so wanting to go to that conference. Do you think they will have it next year too? I could stay with family in Portland to attend. I would love to hear more. Good for you for following your dreams for your lovely kids. Lucky little birds.
Posted by: Tava/Yarnmama | August 23, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Yay you, mama! I considered going to that conference, too, but decided it wasn't necessary yet (and that my baby needed me more). Hopefully Marsha will still be doing it when the girls get a bit older. It looks like it was very inspiring!
xo, K
Posted by: kyrie | August 23, 2009 at 08:05 PM
Sounds like you are in a really good place : )
That conference sounds AWESOME and I would love to participate in something like that!!!! Although I'm not a homeschooler, I would love to learn more about Waldorf and how to incorporate it in my home. My two oldest attend our local public school (which I am happy with so far.) and I am home with my little one (19 months) and am due in late January with baby number 4.
Posted by: Anna | August 23, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Kyrie and Tava - the conference was great. Typical craziness and a bit messy, but very rich and rewarding. I would imagine that Marsha will continue - if she was able to pull one off this year, even in the midst of all the mess of the year and no location issues.
Anna - yes, even if waldorf isn't for you, there are so many gems and great things - it's so worth examining, and cherry-pick if you will. So many therapeutic things that could help any child. You don't have to be 100% waldorf to find value.
Posted by: kate | August 23, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Glad to hear that things are working out!
Posted by: brettdl | August 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Sounds wonderful! I look forward to hearing more about your homeschooling waldorf adventures. My daughter attended a waldorf preschool last year, and we are hoping to return this year, and perhaps allow the little one to join sister one day a week. :)
Posted by: Lauren A | August 25, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Great! I am so pleased for you and your family that things are back on track.
Posted by: Carrie | August 26, 2009 at 02:10 PM
What a great opporunity ... I am feeling more and more drawn to homeschooling, and at least to not going down the whole kindergarten route ... like you say, the days are so much sweeter without those time pressures. It seems ironic that Waldorf kindergartens try to create a 'timeless' feel, and yet we have to run around all morning to get them there on time, so they can then experience timelessness IYKWIM
Posted by: Gypsy | August 27, 2009 at 01:17 AM
just had to come and read this again. i'm looking forward to so much more inspiration from you as you guys find and keep rhythms.
Posted by: Ella | September 09, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Hi, Kate! a friend of mine in AR has a new blog about home/unschooling her daughter: www.childhooddecides.blogspot.com. sounds like you're really well-connected to other parents, but you might enjoy checking it out. Best of luck in homeschooling!
Posted by: Caroline Bleckmann | September 10, 2009 at 01:12 PM
wow! I am so sad I missed that conference! We were in the middle of moving here.
Posted by: Nicole (Frontier Dreams) | September 29, 2009 at 09:40 PM
"For now, it feels like the right direction and I feel lucky that I have so many options nearby if we change steps."
Think that sounds like a perfect way to look at the situation and what is best for your family. And how nice that you do have those choices and facilities nearby should you need them down the track.
Posted by: Christie - Childhood 101 | April 23, 2010 at 07:21 AM