I have posted a lot recently on my philosophy of teaching and our exploration of complete child-led learning (still going amazingly well by the way – updates coming soon!) The other side of t…
Folding Waldorf window stars is a fun and simple craft. Today Liz from The Mother Witch will walk us through 3 ways to fold Waldorf window stars, varying in difficulty from deceptively simple to more complex.
Got bored kids? Here's a list of 25 different winter activities plus a tutorial to make these beautifully easy Waldorf Window Stars!
Truth, beauty, and goodness are core tenets of Waldorf education, and are also values we also live by here at Chasing Windmills. During this time of social distancing in the world all around us, now more than ever, we need to lean into the beauty of our everyday life to connect us as human beings. T
Harvest Moon by Hand
One of the ways we are finding comfort and connection within our community is by sharing our favorite holiday traditions with you and appreciating each one shared with us. Today we’ve gathered a few traditions we love from Bella Luna Toys customers and friends. We invite you to read how each Waldorf family makes the holiday season special through traditions, old and new.
'Each individual is a species unto him/herself.' ~ Rudolf Steiner From Theosophy: An Introduction to the Spiritual Processes in Human Life and in the Cosmos
Nothing connects hands, heart, and head quite like the Waldorf practice of handwork. Its importance is woven into the very fabric of the Waldorf curriculum and is a practice that nurtures not just skills, but the development of well-rounded individuals. The fact that through making beautiful and enduring objects, children are at the same time learning math skills, spatial understanding, developing their dexterity, all while problem solving, makes handwork one of the most important parts of Waldorf education and one that children will use for their entire lives. Benefits of Waldorf Handwork Through knitting a scarf or crafting a wooden toy, students learn to channel their creativity into tangible forms. This hands-on approach allows them to explore colors, textures, and shapes, developing a keen aesthetic sense while gaining confidence in their ability to bring their visions to life. In a world filled with distractions, Waldorf handwork instills the values of focus and patience. The rhythmic movements involved in crafting require a child's full attention, teaching them the art of concentration. Whether it's threading a needle or carving a piece of wood, the process itself fosters a sense of calm and mindfulness. Children also learn to correct their mistakes, value hard work and develop patience. As children complete increasingly difficult tasks following small steps, they begin to feel the joy of accomplishment which creates the self-confidence needed to tackle much bigger and more complicated tasks as they progress through life. As if those overarching benefits weren’t enough, there are still more! Handwork allows a connection to the environment and helps children develop a sense of gratitude for the earth as they craft with natural materials like wool, plant dyes, wood, and cotton. Children also develop appreciation and an understanding of how to care for and use tools safely, from knitting needles to tapestry frames to early woodworking tools. And finally the big ones in the Waldorf philosophy, handwork helps children develop a sense of reverence and wonder and builds their “sense of life,” an inherent component of becoming a whole-hearted and integrated human being. Simple Ways to Introduce Handwork to Young Children With all of those big benefits, handwork is surprisingly simple to introduce at home. For young children, handwork encompasses a wide range of simple everyday activities that get children working with their hands, both through doing practical activities and more artistic ones. Examples include: kneading bread, playing in sand or mud, modeling with beeswax, drawing, wet on wet watercolor painting, and introducing seasonal crafts. Adding fiber work into handwork play, also called “soft handwork” is another way to engage little hands while promoting sensory learning. Simple ways to introduce soft handwork to young children are helping them learn how to roll balls of wool, making pompoms, learning how to finger knit, and rolling beeswax candles. As they grow and develop more dexterity you can introduce simple sewing projects, nature weaving and simple potholder loom weaving, and wet felting. Keeping a variety of handwork materials available will allow children to incorporate them into their play and continue to develop their skills. As they begin to master these early handwork skills, they are then introduced to more advanced and complicated crafts like knitting, woodworking, crochet, and candle making. Why Knitting is More Important than Handwork Every child learns to knit in a Waldorf school and they are taught to knit even before they learn the alphabet. Knitting perfects fine motor skills, has been said to improve memory, works both sides of the brain, and prepares children to be better readers when they are ready for that important step. The rhythmic repetition of knitting and crocheting enhances a child’s concentration and develops hand-eye coordination. Knitting can also help enhance math skills through counting rows and stitches, measuring out patterns, and through making three-dimensional items. As children pick out their yarn and plan their knitting projects, they develop a relationship to each color and they learn to “play” with each color and learn about contrast, tone, and shades. And when they have finished their first hat, scarf, or mittens, nothing is more joyful than the feeling of accomplishment and knowing they can work through hard things to get to the end. This simple act gives children the confidence to achieve even more challenging projects as they grow up. At Bella Luna Toys, we celebrate the deep impact that handwork makes on children. Our curated selection of handcrafting materials and kits reflects our commitment to providing tools that inspire creativity and support the holistic development of every child. From all of us at the Bella Luna Toys Team, we hope you have many days filled with crafts, love, and fresh cups of tea! Tag us in your handwork adventures @bellalunatoys for a chance to be featured!
“To everything there is a season.” And each season brings unique differences, wonderful aspects, and particular challenges, just like our children bring to our world! Nature often mirrors the temperaments and personalities that we see in our families. This connection between seasons, natural elements, and temperament is a fundamental part of Waldorf Education called the Four Temperaments. According to Rudolf Steiner, knowing how the four temperaments guide our children’s personalities allows for “all multiplicity, beauty, and fullness of life to be possible.” Perhaps you have a child who is constantly on the move or one who prefers quiet inside activities. Maybe your child has intense outbursts when they feel passionate about something or lights up at any social opportunity. These in-born personality traits correlate to the four temperaments, and also to the four elements and four seasons. And while our children are influenced by a myriad of different factors, understanding their intrinsic temperament helps us as we guide their growth. There are many different personality questionnaires and theories out there but the four temperaments have been around since the Ancient Greeks used it to treat illnesses, making it one of the oldest personality type systems. Rudolf Steiner used this theory as one way to work with and understand children. He taught this philosophy to his teachers who in turn used it to help design their seating arrangements, lesson plans, storytelling, and other components of their classroom community. Waldorf teachers know that each child’s temperament changes through time and that children will ultimately embody all four temperaments in a more balanced way as they grow into adulthood. According to Waldorf teacher, Mima Djordjevic, “We don’t hold the children firmly in one temperament. Even if they show some dominance, we know that it is likely to change when they get to be nine and older, they are tendencies, they don’t really define us.” However, using this guidepost of temperaments does offer insight into how your children process and interact with siblings, peers, new ideas, and challenges. Not to mention, it’s a fascinating way to look at the individual characteristics of the people around us. The Four Temperaments In A Nutshell An incredible resource for understanding these temperaments is a book written by Helmut Eller called The Four Temperaments: Suggestions for Teachers. Eller explains that people can have more than one predominant temperament and may even have up to three. So as you read these descriptions, use it as a guide to areas where your child might have some extra tendencies and think of also where you fall into these categories as their parent. I know for myself, it is important to challenge myself to reach into different temperaments as I expose my children to activities that aren’t always in my own temperament’s comfort zone! Remember that not all children fall neatly into each category and their personalities are complex and unique. After a brief explanation of each basic temperament, there are some simple suggestions for ways to work with this temperament in your home. The amazing toymaker, Grimm’s Spiel & Holz has designed a beautiful wooden block set called The Four Temperaments Building Block Set. This set is divided into four parts, each representing one of the temperaments, creating a stunning visual representation. It is a wonderful way to introduce children to the four temperaments, and allow them to explore some of the foundational ideas behind them through building and play. It comes with a large paper to show where the blocks are placed, making it an excellent puzzle as well. There are also nesting and stacking block sets that complement each temperament, they are linked below as well. Shop All Grimm's Wooden Toys here. Sanguine Temperament This temperament is connected to the season of spring and the element of air. Like a butterfly flitting about to every flower, this temperament is often carefree, happy, and social. Eller describes this temperament as “light and cheerful, spontaneous and confident.” The Sanguine child is open to new opportunities and friendships and is eager to embrace all of the excitement and joy of the world around them. Working with the sanguine temperament at home: Sanguine children are most inspired by their love for their parents and teachers. Their enthusiasm is bountiful but they can also be prone to distraction. Because of this, Steiner recommended helping those with a sanguine temperament to find greater focus by supporting them in one special interest and encouraging them to stick with it even when they get pulled in other areas. Eller recommends looking closely at objects of interest each day and remarking on every detail that the child notices as a way to help sanguine tempered children develop focus. Grimm's Spiel & Holz Wooden Rainbow Tunnel Choleric Temperament This temperament is connected to the season of summer and the element of fire. Passionate, fiery, and filled with a strong will, choleric children have a tremendous amount of intensity and energy. They are extroverted and determined and as Eller writes, “A choleric child leads the way, constantly strives forward and energetically pursues her goal. Once it is achieved, she immediately seeks a new one. Determination and drive go hand in hand." Sometimes this drive and determination can turn to frustration when things don’t go as planned or according to their particular ideal. Working with the choleric temperament at home: Choleric children need to see that the adults around them are calm, collected, and knowledgeable even in the face of the fiery temper of this temperament. Steiner believed that choleric children are best able to engage with the adults in their lives through respect and said that “for the choleric child one must be thoroughly worthy of esteem and respect in the highest sense of the word.” Steiner recommends that choleric tempered children have plenty of challenges to work on, get plenty of exercise, and are witness to the talents and skills of the adults around them. Grimm's Spiel & Holz Elements Nesting Blocks - Fire Melancholic Temperament This temperament is connected to the season of autumn and the element of earth. Compassionate with a rich inner life, melancholic children are often cautious and deeply sensitive. Eller writes that this temperament “ feels much more at home in his inner world — in his thoughts, emotions and even dreams. He loves inner and outer peace and quiet and behaves sensitively and tactfully.” This temperament is also a very strong observer who is able to empathize with others. Working with the melancholic temperament at home: Helping melancholic children to look outward is helpful for this temperament and Steiner recommends that they focus on the needs of others to divert their intense introspection. Giving them comfort and compassion is important as is connecting their struggles to similar stories of your own experiences where you felt pain. Asking them challenging questions and setting aside time each day to discuss subjects that spark their curiosity and passion are two ways to help this temperament process their intense feelings. Grimm’s Spiel & Holz Element’s Nesting Blocks: Earth Phlegmatic Temperament The phlegmatic temperament is connected to the season of winter and the element of water. Like a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea on a cold day, this temperament knows how to savor comfort. Although similar to melancholic in their inward direction, this temperament tends to be more contented and interested in coziness. Eller writes that these children “encounter the world around them with a feeling of well-being at their own leisurely, unhurried pace. Nothing can get them worked up.” This temperament loves rhythm and regularity and has a tremendous amount of patience, endurance, and calm. Working with the phlegmatic temperament at home: Phlegmatic temperaments, according to Rudolf Steiner, do best when connected to other children with a large variety of interests which encourages them to become more active and engaged with the world around them. Providing phlegmatic tempered children with a lot of play dates and asking them questions will also keep them connected. These children often need a bit more time to get ready in the morning and need a stable home with lots of calming routines. Grimm’s Spiel & Holz Nesting Blocks: Water Waves Overall, these temperaments enrich our lives as each element, season, and personality brings needed variety and depth to our world. Each temperament has unique gifts, challenges, and strengths that we can learn from. Through understanding where our children and family members fall on this spectrum, we can work to balance and appreciate the fullness of life with all of its wind, sun, bonfires, and waves. We hope learning more about the four temperaments helps you and your family find balance and harmony in the way you interact with each other and the world as a whole. Explore and discover more about the temperaments through the beautiful block set created by Grimm's Wooden Toys and make sure to share and tag us on Instagram @bellalunatoys and use the hashtag #bellalunatoys.
CURSUSPROGRAMMA voorjaar 2020 EEN ORIGINELE WALDORF POP van 30cm Dit is een 1 daagse cursus, waarin je je pop helemaal af maakt. Er wordt gewerkt met Zw…
I've been making these window stars for some time now. Each new pattern is a challenge to try, and such a joy to see completed. Each of t...
We love this sweet project from Sunny of Northwoodsfolk and we think it's the perfect kick-off to summer. With flowers and botanicals gathered from your own garden, a hike, or a trip to the farmers market- this craft is certainly perfect for Solstice! We love every little detail and we know you will too. Gather your materials: Clear glue, washable Wooden Leaf & Flower Press Waxed paper or silicone baking sheet Dried or fresh florals, leaves or other botanicals Biodegradable glitter (optional) Get Crafty With Florals To start, place your wax paper or silicone baking sheet down on a flat surface. Grab your glue and create your shape of choice. The size is up to you, but keep in mind that handling gets more difficult the larger the sun catcher. You'll want your layer of glue thin, but not so thin that you have holes in your design. 1/4-1/3 of an inch should be the perfect thickness. Add floral elements, creating a fun design or pattern. You can create a little nature scene to even try your hand at a mandala- the options are endless. Once your design is done let it sit to dry. The perfect amount of dry is when there is still a bit of tackiness in the back of the middle. That way you can just stick it right to the window without the addition of more glue or a hook. Very carefully remove the wax paper or mat, stick it on a sunny window and admire your beautiful art! A special thanks to Sunny, who is a regular Moon Child contributor, who shares ways to live simply through the seasons from her family to yours. We hope you enjoy making this sweet summertime craft! Please share your work and play with us @BellaLunaToys or use the #BellaLunaToys for a chance to be featured on our Instagram feed.
Folding Waldorf window stars is a fun and simple craft. Today Liz from The Mother Witch will walk us through 3 ways to fold Waldorf window stars, varying in difficulty from deceptively simple to more complex.
Welcome a new woodland friend into the family with our knitted gnome tutorial. Traveling handwork teacher Chenoa Pelligra created this whimsical doll tutorial for us, ideal for children who have already mastered a garter stitch (a regular knit stitch) and are ready to learn to purl! This gnome is created in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row). Learning to purl can present new challenges as it can feel like the opposite of knitting and requires a new way of thinking and new hand rhythm. Here's instructions on how to get started. Materials Worsted weight wool yarn- a couple of colors for clothing and a skin tone. Wooden knitting needles US size 7 or 8 A yarn needle for sewing Wool for stuffing Knitting The entire gnome is worked in Stockinette stitch, made in 5 parts and then stitched together. The body is comprised of (legs, torso, head), 2 arms, hat, and an optional backpack for crystals and stones. Body You'll start with the foot when creating the body. Cast on 10 sts and work 5 rows.Change to desired pants/leg colorWork 10 rows, cut yarn leaving a hand’s length and push leg down to bottom of needle.Repeat for the second foot and leg.Join legs, you should now have 20 sts on your needle and work 2 rows in leg color Change to shirt color and work 10 rows.Change to skin tone and work 9 rows. On row 10 purl every two stitches together so you finish with 10 sts on the needle. Cut yarn, leaving two hand's lengths, and push to the bottom of the needle. Arms *Cast on 10 sts in shirt color Work 10 rowsChange to skin toneWork 2 rows, cut leaving a hand’s length and push to bottom of needle*Repeat from *to * for the second arm. Hat Cast on 22 sts. Work 4 rows, then knit the first two stitches together only at the beginning of each row until you only have 1 stitch remaining. Cut yarn two hand’s lengths and send the end of the yarn through the last stitch and pull tight to secure. Optional Backpack Cast on 10 stitches and work until it is a square when folded, cast off. This completes all the knitted parts of the gnome. Sewing & Stuffing Body Start with sewing the head which is a part of the main body piece you knit. Thread the yarn you left two hand’s lengths long into your yarn needle, then slide out the wooden knitting needle and carefully collect the stitches onto your yarn needle. Next pull the yarn through, and all your stitches should gather/cinch up tightly closing the top of the head. Sew using the whip stitch down the back of the head until you reach the shirt color. Stuff head. Next, we will work our way from the toes up. Gather the cast on edge on your yarn needle and pull to cinch up tightly, very similar to how we did the top of the head. Sew the leg stopping at the top. Then repeat with the second foot and leg, stuff both legs. Next sew half of the gnome’s back together leaving space to stuff the torso and then sew closed. You can shape the feet and neck with running stitches around and then pull to tighten. Arms Follow the same process as the top of the head. Sew and stuff and then attach them to the main body piece. Hat Fold in half and sew down the back seam and continue using the same yarn to sew it to the gnome’s head. Backpack Fold in half and sew the sides. Finger knit the straps and attach. Many thanks to Chenoa for creating this beautiful tutorial. You can follow Chenoa on her Instagram here.
On a cold and snowy day, we got cozy by the fireplace and crafted these sweet felt Waldorf snowflake children. These small handmade dolls fit perfectly in a child's hand and are great to add to a gnome or fairy house or even hang in your windows. A simple blanket stitch is used to sew the snowflake children together so this Waldorf craft is great for many skill levels. Prepare your Materials This project can be completed with materials most people might have lying around the house. We used felt sheets but any scrap material could work. Adjust your needle and thread as needed depending on the material you use. Felt sheets or scrap material Wooden beads of various sizes and colors Tapestry needle Embroidery floss in coordinating colors Pipe cleaners Wool roving or a few cotton balls Scissors Pencil and marker Hot glue gun Ruler Create a Pattern Step 1: Grab your pencil and ruler to sketch out a simple pattern. Since the front and back of the snowflake child's body need to match, you can simplify things by folding your felt sheet in half and mirroring the pattern from the crease. Trace your pattern onto a folded piece of felt and use sharp scissors to cut along the sides and bottom. Do not cut across the top fold. Design your Snowflake Step 2: Lightly trace your design on the back side of your felt body. The design can be as simple or as intricate as your skill level allows. These snowflakes were simple to replicate by following the outline. Step 3: Insert your needle from the back, move to the end of the line you want to create, and push your needle through from the front. Repeat these steps until your design is complete. Tie off your string and trim. This is what the back of our piece looked like afterwards. If this step seems too daunting, or you're working with a younger crafter, you can cut out a small design from your felt scraps and glue them to your dolls. Create a Body Step 4: Now that your Waldorf Snowflake Children have clothes to wear it's time to create their bodies. A pipe cleaner is perfect because it's light weight and gives the dolls a bit of flexibility. Fold your pipe cleaner in half, then create arms by folding each side. Make sure the arms are long enough to slightly stick out of the felt.Twist the pipe cleaner together in the center and use the remaining length to create legs. Trim as needed, leaving a small piece sticking out at the bottom of each leg. Sew and Stuff Step 5: Use a simple blanket stitch to close one side of the felt. From this point you can begin stuffing the body with the wool roving or a cotton ball that's been teased apart. Push the filling into the arms and legs with your tapestry needle as you finish joining the felt between the legs and second side with your blanket stitch. Step 6: Use your felt scraps to cut out a quarter of a circle. Fold the long edges together and stitch the seam to create gnome hats for your snowflake children. Step 7: Begin heating your glue gun and choose 5 beads for each doll, 1 large and 4 smaller ones, to create the head, hands and feet. Glue them onto the pipe cleaner ends and add the hats to complete your felt Waldorf Snowflake Children. WARNING: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. We can't wait to see your Waldorf Snowflake Children. Share your creations on social media and use the hashtag #BellaLunaToys for a chance to be featured.
Take a little peak at some of my favourite Waldorf Inspired Spring Crafts from The Sewing Circle....Springtime SnailsThese little springtime snails are
I never have enough verses so I scoured the internet and gathered verses for us all in one place. I will update as I know there are many more. Some are not handwork specifically with the words but create action for the hands and fingers to warm them up. Also, many might feel as though that certain verses are grade specific but I feel you can mix them up a bit depending on the feeling of the children. These are just suggested grades and you can see fit which verse fits each class. I will credit where I gathered and if I didn't its because I got it thru handouts or individual people, however if you would like me to credit it differently I would be happy to. I would love for you to send me verses as well. I will update as we all go along this journey of teaching. Handwork Verses Grade 1 The secrets that my hands hold, are treasures for the might and bold I thank my hands, heart, and mind For teaching me to do my handwork just fine __________________ I look at my hands with my fingers fine And I want to feel proud that they are mine For deep in my heart lies a golden chest With secret treasures that no one can guess Unless my hands do their very best To work and work to open the chest ______________ VERSE: SITTING: A little seed for me to sow. A little earth to make it grow. A little hole, a little pat, a little wish, and that is that. A little sun, a little shower, a little while, and then a flower. (Sing Through the Seasons, p.5) ______________ VERSE:SITTING: Little brown seeds so small and round, Are sleeping quietly under ground. Down come the raindrops sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle. Out comes the rainbow, twinkle, twinkle, twinkle. Little brown seeds way down below, Up through the earth they grow, grow, grow. Little green leaves come one by one. They hold up their heads and look at the sun. Finger Knitting Story: The Shepherd and His Sheep The first part of the story is to demonstrate the technique on the floor i.e. without the loop on your finger. The second half then shows the children how to do the knitting with the loop on your finger. It is best to have a length of yarn handy while telling the story, and demonstrate as you tell it.) There was once an old shepherd, who had a large, energetic flock of sheep. Every morning he would take the flock of sheep up the mountain to a beautiful green meadow where the sheep would eat the delicious grass. But each day, when it came time to make the journey up the mountainside, the old shepherd would struggle to keep the whole flock of young, energetic sheep together. Some would run away to nibble grass, some to play under the trees, and others would wander off among the mountain flowers. The poor shepherd wanted to keep them together for their safety, but he was too old to chase after them. And so he thought and thought about what he could do to keep all the sheep together so that they could get to the meadow safely. At last, he had an idea. And so, the old shepherd carefully built a little gate [make a slip knot in the yarn at this point in the story]. And the next morning, he showed each sheep how to go through the gate one at a time [draw a loop of yarn through the slip knot 'gate' for each sheep as he guides them, and pull tight], and when each sheep got to the other side, the old shepherd was delighted to see that they all were happy to stand one behind the other. [show the children how the 'sheep' line up on the other side]. And so, for a few days, that was how the shepherd went up the mountain with his sheep to get to the green meadow. After a few days, though, the shepherd noticed that it took a long time for each sheep to walk through the gate one at a time. And so he thought and thought about what he could do. [Put loop on index finger of left hand now]. Then the shepherd had an idea. He told each sheep to stand ready, and then, with the gate in front of them [at this point, place the long 'tail' of yarn over the same index finger, in front of the first loop], he showed the sheep how to jump over the gate [take back loop, pull it over the front piece of yarn and right off the finger, and then draw tight - not too tight though!]. As each sheep jumped over the gate, the shepherd was delighted to see that once again, the sheep were all happy to stand one behind the other. In this way, the sheep were gathered for their journey much more quickly. And so, from that day forward, the old shepherd never had to worry about his sheep again and they all went easily and happy to the green meadow together every day. (story copyright 1998, K. Manchip, all rights reserved) 2nd grade Hold hands up with palms together (like in a prayer) Pea Pod (put both 'pointer fingers' down in a 90º angle then back up), Seed Pod (put both tall man fingers down in a 90º angle then back up), Bean Pod (do the same with ring finger) and Poppy Pod (use the pinkie fingers) ( hands are back to normal and as you say'split'you splay the fingers out still palm to palm) Split when they ripen and open (separate hands so that you then can 'clap' when you say pop) with the pop! (clap hands) [The children love this one as its challenging.] ___________ Making a Snowman Roll a snowball round and round, Round and round upon the ground. Make one, make two, here's what you do, You can build a snowman too. As the sun shines down some day, Poor snowman, he will melt away. ( ^ Hand movement for above) Lines 1 and 2: roll hands around each other. Line 3: make two fists, then put one on top of the other. Lines 4 and 5: hold fists in snowman position. Line 6: open hands flat out on top of each other. — Gloria T. Delamar, Author Have you ever seen a rainbow On a sunny springtime dayAfter it's been rainingIn the misty month of May?Out from the clouds it will appearAnd then it's gone away.Have you ever seen a rainbowOn a sunny springtime day?(then sing) -"Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too." ________________ A head I have for thinking deeply, Listening, and learning, and looking with care. Hands I have for work and creating With fingers skillful to make and repair. In my heart I can carry the sun Shining with love for everyone. Grade 3 From as far as the stars to here (stomp one foot) where I stand (stomp other foot) I come to use my Left (out stretch hand) and Right hand (outstretch hand hand ) to card (mimic carding) to spin (with closed fists spin in front of you) to wind to knit (pretend to knit) for this fine work my both hands are fit and now I will so quietly sit. ___________________________ The sheep has given us his Wool And plants the colors bright And Man forged needles out of steel For me to knit by golden light. My fingers that knit or do crochet - Can sow the seed, or cut the hay. They cast a seam, or sew a stitch They hammer and nail, or dig a ditch. So let us go to work right now And make a horse, a ball, a Cow A gift for you, a toy for me A work of joy for all to see. Reinforcing Verse - We are truthful and helpful And loving in trust For our heart's inner sun Glows brightly in us. We will open our hearts To the sunbeams so bright And we'll fill all the worldWith our heart's inner light. Grade Four: My two arms are folded so straight on my chest Crossing each other with right over left. I think of the trees crossing branches and twigs Vines in the forest,Legs dancing a jig Window panes, rafters and joists in the floor Heroes at battle crossing bright flashing swords. When crossing my “T’s” or crossing the street, Birds fly above me, worms under my feet. Each cross stitch I make, so careful and true A mirror of the word in all that I do. The Sun is in my Heart The sun is in my heart It warms me with its power And wakens life and love In bird and beast and flower _ The stars above my head Are shining in my mind Like spirits of the world Than in my thoughts I find. _ The earth whereon I tread Lets not my feet go through But strongly doth uphold The weight of deeds I do. _ Then must I thankful be That man on earth I dwell To love and work the world And greet all people well. Grade Five: A Fly and A Flea A fly and a flea flew up in a flue. Said the fly to the flea, "What shall we do?" "Let's fly," said the flea. "Let's flee," said the fly. So they fluttered and flew up a flaw in the flue. Autumn "Come little leaves," said the wind on day. "Come o'er the meadow with me and play. Put on your dresses of red and gold. Summer is gone and the days grow cold." As soon as the leaves heard the wind's low call, Down they came fluttering, one and all. Over the brown fields they whirled and flew, Singing the soft little songs they knew. Dancing and whirling the little leaves went, Autumn had called them and they were content. Soon they will sleep in their soft earthly beds Waiting for winter to cover their heads. Butterfly and Flower See the flower open Its petals one by one – Butterfly wings upon a stem Waving in the sun. See the flitting butterfly In shimmering colours bright – A flower free and flying In the warm summer’s light. See the bee How selflessly She toils to bring the honey home. The silent hive She’ll keep alive When blooms are blown and winter’s come. See the stone Sculpted by storm, Weathered by wind To a rugged form. See the shell Whose elegant spin Spirals and twists To the heart within. Weather and wind Or life unfurled: Inner and outer Shape the world. Winter and Spring Cruel winter froze the stream, Made all things hard with ice and snow. The creatures shivered, the flowers died, Nothing could live, and nothing could grow. Then came summer’s kindly warmth, The sun shone down with love and light. The hard ice cracked and melted away And life bloomed again in colours bright. Weaverbird In and out the weaverbird Weaves his wisps of grass, Busy and bustling, bent on the task As the hours quickly pass. Weaving, winding, twining the strands, Tirelessly working with care, Till fine and formed, neat and new Is a nest beyond compare. -Paul King Grade 6: I look out into the worldWherein there shines the SunWhere glimmer all the stars,Where lie the silent stonesThe plants that live and growThe beasts that feel and moveWhere man in soul createsA dwelling for the spirit.I look inward to the soulThat lives within my beingThe spirit of God is weavingIn sunlight and in soul-lifeIn heights of world withoutIn depths of soul within.Spirit of God to theeI turn myself in seekingThat strength and grace and skillFor learning and for workMay live and grow in me.-Rudolf Steiner Above me, the heavens with moon and sun,Below me, the earth firm and strong,Behind me, an angel to guard me and guide,Before me, the goal to which I stride,Beside me, my loved ones, and all aroundFire and water and air abound.Above, below; near and wide;Behind, before, and either side :The encompassing world lies far and nigh,And in the centre, here stand I. The Water CycleWater hard as iron,Water flowing free,Water floating light as air,Water one in three.Vapour rising skyward,Falls to earth as rain,Flows in river, stream and seaTo rise as cloud again.Lifting skyward, falling earthward,Ever on the move,Thus the cycle of all lifeComes and goes on earth. Bean bag(for the exercise of turning the bean bag around his hips. Each verse is a complete turn)Round AboutRound the coppiceRound the trees,Round the woodsWith the rustling leaves;Round the tree trunk,Round the stem:Round aboutAnd home again.- Paul King (keep the bean bag in his right hand, throw it well with your hand over your head and grab it with your left hand. Four throwing for each verse). Red, and orange, and yellow, and green:The rainbow’s seven colours have a bright shiny sheen.Light blue, indigo, and violet all told. At the end of the rainbow is a pot of gold Grade 7/8: “I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” Leonardo da Vinci Above me, the heavens with moon and sun, Below me, the earth firm and strong, Behind me, an angel to guard me and guide, Before me, the goal to which I stride, Beside me, my loved ones, and all around Fire and water and air abound. Above, below; near and wide; Behind, before, and either side : The encompassing world lies far and nigh, And in the centre, here stand I. _______________________________________ Our work is done, our day is past, We'll go our separate ways. And I will hold so tight and fast What I have learned today. I've given with my heart and mind The effort that it needs. And I will strive in me to find, Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Potter The potter sits at his potter’s stool And the wheel turns round on its stand, Upon it he throws a lump of clay Which wobbles and bumps in his hand. Slowly and surely he centres the clay Till it’s steady and ready to form: Only by finding a centre still Can a pot of clay be born. -Paul King Ending Verse: Our time for now has ended. Our hands may come to rest. We thank our hands both left and right, for helping us to do our best. Now it is time for our hands to rest they have down their work they have done their best ________________________________________________ Work together, Hands and heart. Truth and beauty, are never apart. Then I say, "Follow your heart, in all that you think, in all that you say, and all that you do." ______________________ May our hands complete our work with patience, May our work be done with care, May our fingers work as friends together, And may we our friendship share. _____________________________________ Now our time is over Our time for now is done Our busy hands have served us well Head, hands, heart are one. Footnote: many have been borrowed from these web sites. http://www.straightlineandcurve.co.uk/class_1_main_lessons.htm http://www.angelfire.com/or/cmcquoid/VersesandSongs.htm and: http://www.lapappadolce.net/waldorf-poems-and-verses-in-english/?lang=en
For the 19th and 20th days of Art Every Day Month , I've been making window stars. These are the stars that I sell in my shop, Harvest...
Aunque todas tienen su encanto, son 2 las festividades Waldorf que nos tienen robado el corazón, por su simbología y valores que trabajan, festividades donde el foco de luz se pone en la importancia del propio niño/a y su gran potencial y capacidad. Para la Pedagogía Waldorf seguir el curso anual a través de las festividades, […]
When Sophia and Olivia were younger, I remember reading about a grain schedule that was used in Waldorf Kindergarten classrooms. Having a schedule provides children (and families) with a sense of rhythm and predictability. In addition, according to The Parenting Passageway, "A different grain for each day is...connected to the cosmic origins of the days of the week. A different grain a day fits in with the nourishing weekly rhythm the Kindergarten thrives on." The website continued, "The most common listing of grains...is the following, taken from The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book: Sunday (Sun): Wheat Monday (Moon): Rice Tuesday (Mars): Barley Wednesday (Mercury); Millet Thursday (Jupiter): Rye Friday (Venus): Oats Saturday (Saturn): Corn "Waldorf teachers and those who cook with whole grains attribute different properties to different grains. According to The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book, wheat is often seen as a harmonizer of the organ systems; rice is seen as acting on the digestive system; barley is seen as strengthening to the connective ligaments due to a high silica content and also seen to be soothing to the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines; millet is seen to have warming properties; rye nourishes the head and bones; oats loosens stiffness and increases stamina and resistance to disease; and corn stimulates the metabolism in muscles." I thought it would be interesting to try following the Waldorf Grain Schedule for a week using recipes I found on Pinterest that I've wanted to try now for some time. On the schedule I used this past week, I switched two days (Tuesday and Friday). Otherwise, everything matches the above schedule. Sunday - Wheat This pin for Baked Cheese Sticks led to the Living Well Kitchen. The recipe called for using cheese sticks. These are well-enjoyed by Olivia, and I forgot to tell her that I was going to use the package of cheese sticks for a recipe. Needless to say, between the time they went into the refrigerator and Sunday, only one cheese stick was left. So, I thought I'd try cutting regular blocks of cheese. I had Swiss cheese and a Monterey Jack cheese on hand. What I found was that the string cheese held its shape whereas the other block cheese melted despite the breaded covering. I baked the cheese sticks for only 8 minutes. They probably could have baked for less time. They tasted good, despite their flattened appearance. Baked Cheese Sticks The only two cheese sticks that retained their shape. Ingredients (Serves 2) 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs 1/4 tsp salt-free Italian seasoning 1 egg 2 tablespoon water 4 pieces string cheese, cut in half Instructions Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside. In a sandwich sized zip-top bag, mix together the bread crumbs and Italian seasoning. (I put everything in a bowl so as to not waste a bag.) In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water, and add 2 cheese stick halves, making sure they are well-covered. Add the egg-coated cheese sticks to the bag with the bread crumbs, and shake until fully coated. Put the cheese sticks back in the egg and shake in the bread crumbs again. Put the breaded cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with the remaining cheese halves until all are breaded and on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the tops of the breaded cheese sticks with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is just starting to melt. You can tell which ones are cheese sticks and which ones are from the blocks of cheese. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Monday - Rice Today, rather than having a Chinese stir fry over rice (which would be something that I typically would have made for a day focused on rice), I wanted to try Rice Paper Rolled Sandwiches that I saw on this pin on Pinterest. The pin didn't lead to a recipe, so it was up to us to figure out what we wanted to put in the sandwiches. Rice Paper Rolled Sandwiches We need more practice rolling the sandwiches. This was a healthy lunch that included shredded cabbage, avocado, carrots, cucumber, and cilantro. We dipped the sandwiches in peanut sauce. The ingredients ready to be rolled into a sandwich. There isn't a lot of filling that is needed for each sandwich. If you put too much, there isn't enough rice paper to stretch around the ingredients. Sophia rolling a sandwich. We were surprised at how forgiving and flexible the rice paper is after it soaked in water. The key, we found, is to keep an eye on the rice paper as it soaks. One minute it is hard as a rock and the next minute it seems like if you aren't paying attention, you'll have a soggy clump of rice paper on your hands. Ours didn't get to this point, thankfully. One more minute in the water, though, and it would have reached that level. Sophia and I thought that these type of sandwiches would be especially good in the summer when the produce from the garden or farmers market is ripe and most flavorful. Adding edible flowers would give the sandwiches a decorative and pretty look. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Tuesday - Oats Our dessert after dinner on Tuesday was Chocolate-Peanut Butter Granola Apple Bites. The recipe comes from a pin on Pinterest that doesn't lead to anything. Found another pin that has the recipe. Sophia and I liked this recipe. Olivia said she liked the peanut butter on the apple, but not the granola. It's an easy snack and healthy dessert; and we would make the recipe again. It also could be eaten as part of a meal. They would be something that would be good to take on a picnic since the granola sometimes falls off the apple. The birds and wildlife could enjoy eating whatever falls to the ground. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Granola Apple Bites A Granny Smith apple covered with peanut butter and granola. Ingredients: 2 apples, sliced into wedges (We used Granny Smith which are a bit on the tart side. I think we all would have preferred a sweeter apple) 1/4 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup granola, your favorite 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for sprinkling (We didn't put cinnamon on the apples) Semisweet chocolate chips, optional* (We didn't use chocolate chips) Three ingredients for a simple dessert or snack. Directions: Coat the tops of the apple wedges in peanut butter and sprinkle with granola and cinnamon. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring in 30 second increments until melted. Be careful not to overheat. Drizzle wedges with melted chocolate. Set on a large platter and serve. Tips: To substitute the chocolate drizzle, you can sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of the wedges. Or, leave the chocolate out altogether. They’re still delicious. Olivia eating the apple slice and determining whether or not she liked it. If not eating this immediately, brush each side of apple wedges with a little lemon juice to avoid browning. Makes 16-20 wedges. Sophia with an apple slice covered in peanut butter and granola. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Wednesday - Millet Today's grain is millet. This is not an easy grain to find in grocery stores in rural areas. I could find it at the local grain store in the bulk bird seed section. However, I thought it might be more appropriate to find it elsewhere for human consumption. So, the co-op is the place to go to get millet. At any rate, I found a pin on Pinterest that led to the Alkaline Sisters website. Interestingly, the website said that millet "...is one of the six most important grains in the world and sustains one-third of the world's population as a significant part of the diets in China, Japan, Manchuria, and some areas of Russia, Africa, India, and Egypt; and it has an amazing 10,000 years of cultivation history in parts of East Asia." The website noted that, "Millet is an excellent source of manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium - all of which are key minerals required for optimal health that you won’t find in white pasta." I underestimated the amount of millet I had on hand, so I ended up using couscous along with the millet. What I should have done was cook each grain separately since each had a different length of time it needed to cook. Millet takes about 18 minutes and couscous about 5 minutes. The former needs to simmer and the latter doesn't. Needless to say, the millet was a bit on the firm side while the couscous was overly soft (event though I did take the pan off the stove). At any rate, once the millet-couscous mixture was added to the other ingredients, the unusual texture of the grains wasn't as obvious. I still like my recipe for tabbouleh that I've had for a good 15+ years. This one didn't seem to have quite as much flavor. It also was missing the black olives and feta cheese I usually include with my tabbouleh. It was nice to have fresh produce in the middle of winter. Millet Tabbouleh Ingredients: 1 cup millet, rinsed 2 cups filtered water 1 tsp celtic sea salt 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil juice of one lemon 1 large garlic clove, crushed 1 1/2 cups roma tomatoes, diced small (3-4 romas) 1 1/2 cups English cucumber, diced small (almost 1 cuke) 3 green onions, sliced finely 1 1/2 cups fresh parsley, chopped small 3/4 cups fresh mint, chopped small 1/2 tsp Maldon sea salt flakes Directions: In a medium sauce pan bring water to boil, add millet and then reduce heat to low, simmering with lid on for 18-20 minutes. Remove from heat, and fluff with a fork. Allow to cool with the lid off for 30-60 minutes. The texture should be firm but not crunchy and neither mushy. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, and crushed garlic and allow to stand. Meanwhile chop vegetables as per above descriptions and place in a large bowl. Add millet when it is completely cool and then pour dressing over mixture. Toss well, seasoning with sea salt to taste. Garnish with parsley or mint and serve at room temp or chilled. Flavors will become more pronounced after resting. Yield: Approximately 7 cups. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thursday - Rye Rye is Thursday's grain. The recipe I selected is one that I saw on Pinterest that led to All Recipes; and is for Swedish Limpu Bread. Unless it is started right away in the morning, it takes a bit too long for me to make on a weekday. Thursdays are now our "4-H Day" with some weeks having up to three meetings (club and committee) that run from morning to late afternoon. The best thing to do would be to make this recipe on the weekend when I have a bit more time, and then serve the bread on Thursday. I am going to let the bread rise more next time and see how that affects the texture of it. I'm not sure how to bake it differently so that it doesn't brown quicker on the sides touching the pan. It doesn't affect the taste...I just don't like the way it looks. When I made the bread, the kitchen smelled wonderful. From the scent of orange zest, caraway seeds, and fennel seeds boiling in water on the stove and then cooling in the mudroom to the hours when the bread was rising twice...it made me think back to being a child when my dad would make bread on Sundays. When it came out of the oven, he would ask if anyone wanted a hot slice of bread with butter (actually it was margarine since it was less expensive). My sister, brother, and I would run up the stairs to the kitchen and wait patiently which he used the electric knife to cut the bread for us. It was such a special treat for us. This recipe, for Swedish Limpu Bread, makes enough for two loaves of bread. It is a denser - an very flavorful - bread. It tastes equally as good right from the oven or cooled. We all liked it, and I'll definitely make it again. The bread has two types of seeds and orange rind in it. Swedish Limpu Bread Ingredients: 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 2 cups water 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons orange zest 1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seed 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seed 2 eggs, room temperature 2 cups rye flour Directions: Boil water, sugar, oil, salt, orange rind, caraway seeds, and fennel seeds in a saucepan for 3 minutes. Cool until warm. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour and yeast. Stir in cooled orange rind mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Blend in eggs. Add 1 cup flour, and beat 1 minute on medium speed. Add rye flour and enough additional white flour to make a stiff dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes, or until smooth and satiny. Shape into a ball. Place in lightly greased bowl, turning to grease the surface. Cover with a damp cloth, and place in a warm spot. Allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled. Punch dough down, and divide in half. Shape into 2 balls. Let rest for 10 min. Shape into 2 loaves, and place into ungreased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Brush with oil. Allow to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Friday - Barley Today's recipe is for Barley Beef Soup. The pin on Pinterest led to Better Homes & Gardens. Had I read the instructions early in the day, I would have noticed that it was supposed to start in the morning in the crock pot. At 5:00 p.m., I realized that I would have to find a quick way to make this soup or we weren't having a normal dinner. With the exception of Olivia (who isn't a big fan of vegetables or this type of soup), we all enjoyed it and would make this recipe again. Barley Beef Soup Beef Barley Soup cooking in the skillet. Makes: 8 servings Prep: 25 mins Cook: 8 hrs to 10 hrs (low) or 4 to 5 hours (high) Ingredients 12 ounces beef or lamb stew meat (I used beef stew meat - about 16 ounces) 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 14 ounce cans lower-sodium beef broth 1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup chopped onion (1 large) 1 cup peeled parsnip or potato cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used a potato) 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables 2/3 cup regular barley 1/2 cup chopped celery (1 stalk) 1 cup bay leaf (I didn't include the bay leaves. One cup also seems like a very high amount. I would maybe do 1 or 2 bay leaves, but certainly not one cup.) 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil, crushed (I used Italian seasoning instead) 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Directions Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into 1-inch pieces. In a large skillet, cook meat in hot oil over medium-high heat until brown. Drain off fat. Transfer meat to a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. (At this point, I didn't transfer things to a slow cooker. I continued adding everything except the barley to the meat. The barley was cooking separately on the stove. I added it once it was done cooking.) Stir in broth, undrained tomatoes, onion, parsnip or potato, frozen vegetables, barley, celery, bay leaf, garlic, oregano, and pepper. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. It didn't take nearly that long - about 30-35 minutes - basically until the barley had cooked and I could add it to the other ingredients in the skillet. Nutrition Facts (Barley Beef Soup): Per serving: 168 kcal cal., 4 g fat (1 g sat. fat, 25 mg chol., 492 mg sodium, 20 g carb., 3 g fiber, 13 g pro. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Saturday - Corn Today I made Jicama Salsa with Blue Corn Chips. The recipe is from a pin I saw on Pinterest that led to My Recipes. The fresh produce smelled wonderful on a chilly January day. It was almost as if summer were here again when I tasted the fresh cilantro, green onions, and red bell pepper. If I were to make this recipe again, I would chop the jicama, pepper, and onion much smaller. This could be made in the Vita-Mix Mixer so that the vegetables all are finely-grated. I think the salsa would stay on the chips and the flavors would blend with one another better. It's a colorful salsa that looks so bright when it is on blue corn chips. Jicama Salsa Ingredients: 3/4 cup diced, peeled jicama (Note: one jicama makes about 3 batches of this recipe) 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 2 tablespoons chopped red onion (I used green and yellow onions instead) 1 minced garlic clove 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice baked blue corn chips Directions: Combine 3/4 cup diced peeled jicama, 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons chopped red onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice in a medium bowl. Serve with baked blue corn chips.
October has arrived! The leaves are crunching beneath our feet, and we are all looking around for our favorite Autumn activities. Back by special request we are re-launching our monthly calendars and there will be a fun or crafty activity for all 31 days of October. Whether you are decorating a spooky window, making spiderweb soup or working on your pumpkin fairy house, your Bella Luna calendar will bring rhythm to your families Autumnal days. Explore our ideas below or download and print our calendar to hang up in your home! Follow along on Instagram for helpful videos and tutorials. 1 Make a playscape 2 Play a string game 3 Observe local wildlife 4 Make a chalk mural 5 Create spooky window decor 6 Collect acorns 7 Try face painting 8 Bake bat-shaped cookies 9 Use a stick to make music 10 Make your own crayons 11 Learn about the Indigenous history of your town 12 Create a pumpkin fairy house 13 Make apple cider 14 Explore fall colors with red and yellow 15 Make a finger knit snake 16 Visit a pumpkin patch or go apple picking 17 Make a leaf rubbing 18 Draw on leaves 19 Read “Autumn” by Gerda Miller 20 Make a spooky face out of loose parts 21 Scoop out a pumpkin to make a gooey sensory bin 22 Jump in a leaf pile 23 Press leaves between books 24 Make a leaf garland 25 Decorate for Halloween 26 Make Spiderweb soup 27 Learn a fall verse 28 Make beeswax figures 29 Try on costumes 30 Have a Hallow's Eve scavenger hunt 31 Enjoy a Halloween treat! Share your play with us on Instagram by tagging @BellaLunaToys and using the hashtag #BellaLunaToys. Wishing you a crafty and cozy October!
Are you wondering what is Waldorf education? What makes it different from other teaching philosophies? Find out more about it here.
Wobble, rock, and roll on this beautifully crafted Wobble Board from All Circles. With slats instead of a smooth surface, this wobble board allows for a little extra grip as children balance and climb. Rocker boards are an essential Waldorf toy and have been used for many years by teachers in Waldorf early childhood classrooms, not only for their developmental benefits for balance and body awareness, but for their great open-ended play value. Kids can play with these boards in so many unique ways; as a see-saw, balance beam, bridge, slide, or a rocking cradle, or whatever your child chooses to dream up!
Item number: ABCPOS The Waldorf alphabet letters poster by Waldorf Family makes teaching the alphabet easier and is a beautiful decorative addition to any room!
For the 19th and 20th days of Art Every Day Month , I've been making window stars. These are the stars that I sell in my shop, Harvest...
