https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:24:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1214962 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 00:10:56 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1214962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I know I still owe you more info on this, but I wanted to compose a good and thoughtful post... so as soon as I have a little more time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212442 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:40:14 +0000 Boheme 1212442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Reggio Emilia school in town that I am absolutely enamored with... We are also big fans of Montessori. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212266 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:06:14 +0000 Silva 1212266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: you aare your child's first teacher has a chapter on it.<br /> There is this link, too: <a href="http://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/07/15/a-few-thoughts-about-the-waldorf-baby-and-beyond/" rel="nofollow">http://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/07/15/a-few-thoughts-about-the-waldorf-baby-and-beyond/</a></p> <p>Like anything, it's about balance. What we take from it is singing throughout the day and specific songs for times of the day (waking song, play songs, evening song, etc). We try very hard to focus on open ended toys (scarves, simple wooden toys, etc.). We try to spend time outdoors each day. I am trying to work on daily and weekly rhythms, which is getting easier now that my daughter has a more predictable schedule. Basically we try to make things peaceful,calm, and predictable. I can't afford all wool clothes, and we live in a tiny apartment with a big tv (although we don't turn it on when she is awake). I definitely did NOT stay inside for six weeks, I would have gone bananas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212245 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:54:47 +0000 deerylou 1212245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Do you have any resources about their philsophies on infancy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212242 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:53:26 +0000 regberadaisy 1212242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I totally plan on sending LO to public school because I believe in it. And really, who has money for private education? I don't? </p> <p>I love certain principles of Waldorf but not as a ft education. I hope to put LO in some of their summer programs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212228 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:46:31 +0000 Silva 1212228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Katrocap: they don't offer formal instruction I reading until later, typically students can read well by the end of third grade. They try to allow things to develop "naturally" rather than with much structured instruction. They work on writing and art first, and reading grows out of that.</p> <p>And example with the theory for infancy is that babies should spend lots of time on the floor, and not be propped in seated or standing positions until they can get into those positions themselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212224 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:44:49 +0000 deerylou 1212224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Katrocap: They don't introduce the fundamentals of reading until second grade. While there is literature stressing why it works, I'm not a huge fan, myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212219 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:40:22 +0000 Katrocap 1212219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: What is Waldorf's approach to reading? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212194 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:28:06 +0000 Honeybee 1212194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I was thinking about L and Waldorf!</p> <p>We are pretty set on a Catholic liberal arts school and will be applying for pre-k for next fall. I think, if we don't get in next year, we may consider a nearby Montessori for pre-k and kindergarten. A Catholic education is important to us, but really we are looking for the best education for our kids, with the most opportunities possible. I feel very sure our kids would get an excellent education and development of the whole person at the schools we are considering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212173 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:15:36 +0000 Happygal 1212173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: I see we posted at the same time! The Friends school here is great. I love, love, love their philosophy.</p> <p>ETA: Here's a link that I think explains Friends schools nicely: <a href="http://www.sidwell.edu/about-sfs/quaker-values/about-quaker-education/index.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.sidwell.edu/about-sfs/quaker-values/about-quaker-education/index.aspx</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212165 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:12:20 +0000 Silva 1212165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: the books simplicity parenting and you are your child's first teacher are both great. Seven times the sun has more about rhythms of the days, weeks and years.</p> <p>The website rhythm of the home is nice. I would look into your local school, too. Ours offers a parent group / playgroup for babies and up. We have been going, and love it. We have a great teacher, who doesn't beat you over the head with it though. I think Waldorf communities can get a little cult-y / cliquey. </p> <p>I went to a year of waldorf preschool and have great memories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212160 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:11:02 +0000 Happygal 1212160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. jacks: ohhh, I would love to observe one in action. I'm actually surprised that they're still around, but I guess they're working for some? (shrugs) I've only read about them, and they're not my cup of tea either--I am a much more traditional educator. </p> <p>Are there Friends schools in your area? That's something else to possibly investigate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212150 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:06:34 +0000 deerylou 1212150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: This is basically how I feel. I really think I would appreciate a Waldorf education for preschool and kinder, but don't feel it would be a choice that we could make for her entire elementary school career. Resources would be appreciated, sure! :)</p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I was in Montessori for preschool and pre-k and have such fond memories! What about Montessori do you most enjoy?</p> <p>@Happygal: Sudbury reminds me of unschooling, which is definitely not for me, or our family. I guess, when it comes down to it, I like the feeling of an insular community, and an emphasis on the arts - music, painting, woodworking, knitting, etc.</p> <p>Any insight or opinions on Friends (Quaker) schools? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212124 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:50:14 +0000 Silva 1212124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We like waldorf for early childhood ed, like up until preschool or maybe k. It's focus on rhythm, tradition, imagination, and open ended play resonates with me. I'm not concerned about her learning to read or focusing on skills at such a young age, and would rather she spend time outdoors and playing. Our daughter, barring some major issue, will attend public school for k on. We are both big believers in the value and importnce of a public education, and believe that being involved, encouraging parents will make up for any deficiencies our local system may lack. We are both graduates of public school, and believe that it worked well for us. But we are very interested in waldorf for preschool / toddler child care. We do some playgroups there now and enjoy it. We incorporate some of their philosophy into our home life naturally, it's similar to how we were both raised. Probably why it resonates.</p> <p>Eta: if you are interested I can share some resources! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212087 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:22:37 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1212087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: we have a Sudbury school in town. So not my cup of tea! I'd worry that the kids would come out with no education. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212069 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:16:30 +0000 Happygal 1212069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm with you--I love some ideas of Waldorf, but can't behind how they teach reading and the lack of technology. Love Montessori, but it is really variable how that philosophy is actually carried out in the classroom. I've never seen Reggio Emelia first hand, but love the idea behind it.</p> <p>I was talking about Sudbury schools with a friend the other day. Not for me, but it works for some!</p> <p>Really, I hope our children will have access to a public school like the one where I teach now. It's a smaller school with a tight community and outstanding teaching.</p> <p>What is it that you would like to see in a school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212050 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:05:43 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1212050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister's kids go to Waldorf and love it! My sis loves it so much that she now works at the school. That philosophy doesn't resonate so much with me, but I'm totally enamoured with Montessori and could talk in great detail about why I love it.</p> <p>We looked at Reggio Emelia but I felt like it was too self directed.</p> <p>Montessori was a good balance between the two.</p> <p>We're still not positive what our trajectory for grade school is going to be. Maybe public, maybe Catholic, maybe Jewish Day school, maybe private non-denominational academic... We'll just have to see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/privaye-education-waldorf-and-beyond#post-1212024 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:39:53 +0000 deerylou 1212024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those who decided upon or have/had interest in Waldorf education, were there other types of schools and educational philosophies that intrigued you?</p> <p>As a lifelong public school student and later, employee, I think I would like DD to attend public school. However, I can't say that Montesorri and Waldorf don't interest me. Yet, they seem to have certain viewpoints (i.e. Waldorf and reading) that I can't get behind. </p> <p>I'm eager to learn more about private/alternative education , as I know very little. What did you research and like? </p>