Friday, November 7, 2008

Baskets of Waldorf

When I first came across Waldorf, I really was attracted to the natural, simplicity of the toys. I could understand how a child's imagination would take flight by using a simple, less-formed toy verse a formed, specific toy. Right up my alley, but would my child play with it?

I was recommended a few toys which I purchased. My little one was about 3 years old and they were a 35x35 rainbow playsilk, a Grimm's Spiel and Holz natural stacking and nesting bowl set and a Grimm's rainbow stacking tunnel.


The playsilks are wonderful for dressing up and pretending. They could be capes, dresses, veils, fairy skirts, flying carpets, and they were great for playing peek-a-boo games. Later on, the playsilks become part of building forts, teepees, caves, and "secret hideouts". Smaller play silks are utilized on nature tables and for in building landscaped as blue playsilks become ponds and streams, and other colored playsilks can become fields, and meadows. Playsilks make wonderful doll blankets.


The nesting bowls have been the most used toy by far. My little one used them for gathering, sorting, collecting and organizing her nature walk treasures. They were stacked up many times and in many ways with building blocks and the rainbow stacking tunnel.





The rainbow tunnel were played with quite a lot at the time. They were tunnels, bridges, and caves. They also have been toadstools, chairs, beds, hammocks, rocking chairs, and homes for smaller dolls, animals, gnomes, and fairies.

With these less formed toys, I really saw my little one's creative play change and her imagination take flight. We also grabbed a basket when we went for our usual walk around the neighborhood. We put her basket of collected pine cones on her bookshelf and started a nature table or seasonal table. Shortly after, my little one stood up 3 pine cones, for each member of her fam
ily during play. I was really amazed. With a few trips to some thrift stores for baskets and some nature walks, we collecting all different natural materials: rocks, sticks, shells, leaves, acorns, seed pods, and flowers. All these natural elements enhanced her play. Later, sanded tree stumps, yarn dolls, tree nuts, wooden eggs, and playsilks filled more baskets. Here are some images from Waldorf Kindergarten rooms that I found:








Thursday, November 6, 2008

Obama


I quickly had to mention my overwhelming feelings of joy and hope I feel for our country, my family, and my daughter's future, with Obama securing the presidency. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Leaf Collecting & Painting




We enjoyed a beautiful nature walk around the neighborhood looking for different types of leaves. We incorporated the leaves into a nature inspired art project. Later on, we'll go through our books and identify the leaves and trees.




Monday, November 3, 2008

What's in your health & beauty products?


With a new baby coming and my interest in a more natural home, I have been taking a closer look at all the options out there - cloth diapers, slings, hemp nursing pads, natural toys, and baby care products. Over here at Eco Child's Play, I discovered Skin Deep, which rates health & beauty products and analyses possible toxins of the ingredients in them. EYE OPENING!!! 

For example, Skin Deep rates Johnson's & Johnson's baby shampoos as moderate hazards from level 3 to level 5. No thanks, I'll take the product that has ZERO hazards for my baby.  

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Making our own lunch




My little one really relishes the opportunity to do things entirely herself these days. She has become such a wonderful helper with putting dishes away and folding laundry and towels. We have been making soup and baking muffins once a week, which really has become a great part of our day. Montessori services has a great selection of food preparation tools for small hands. These small spreaders allow her to spread peanut butter on her bread all by herself. She loves them.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Autumn's in the air




Right now, I am enjoying the scattered touches of my Autumn decorations throughout the house. More natural and simplistic compared to all the Halloween decorations, like a breathe of fresh air. A few pumpkins and gourds, a few baskets to hold treasures from our nature walks, and our Autumn nature table here and here.

Happy Halloween





Happy Halloween. This year, my little was apprehensive to go trick-or-treating, but we have made an effort in the past to only go to the neighbor's houses we know, so that helped her decision to go. One of her favorite parts of the evening is to hand out candy so we made our round and returned home. 



Tinkerbell having some fun with her sparkling material. We had not intended on getting dressed up, but it was our little one's idea. Dad was a great sport and dressed as Peter Pan, I dressed as a flower maiden. 



The other pumpkin was made to pumpkin stew. 

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