A child absorbed in play is truly a wonderful thing. To see them transported into their own imaginative world and become oblivious to the world will never cease to amaze me. There are no rules, they can change character as they please and a ball which was rolling along the ground a moment ago, has now become an egg to eat for dinner! This kind of undirected free play is a vital component of the Waldorf curriculum in the early years. Play is the work of childhood and Steiner

You may have heard of open-ended and close-ended toys, but what do these names actually mean? What are the benefits of open-ended toys? What are the differences between open-ended and close ended toys? Should you have only one type or both? Let’s find out! What are Open-Ended Toys? Open-ended toys have the ability to be anything. They can change purpose multiple times and are only limited by your imagination. For example: a building block can be used to build a tower, it can

Reading can be a great way to explore Waldorf and Steiner parenting, but there are so many books out there it’s hard to know where to start. The books listed below can be read from cover to cover, but are also wonderful reference books to have on hand and reach for when you are looking for something specific. Here are my top five Waldorf/Steiner parenting books: 1. You Are Your Child’s First Teacher – Rahima Baldwin Dancy Rahima’s book is an excellent reference book for paren

Rhythm and routine form a big part of the Waldorf early years education. Rhythms can happen on a daily basis; taking your shoes off when you come inside, saying morning verse at the start of each day and sitting down together to eat morning tea. Rhythms can also occur on a weekly rotation; baking bread on Monday, painting on Tuesday, handwork on Wednesday and so on. Seasonal rituals add another layer again and can help to give the child a sense of the changing seasons, encour