Talk, talk and talk some more. Isn’t that what we humans do – COMMUNICATE? I am always so sad to see a family of 4 sitting, and each one of them are face down, iphone in hand and texting frantically to update their “friends” and business associates of their “latest news”. Tweet this, check in a foursquare, buzz about it – as if their online presence and identity is more important than their real relationship… you know, the one being ignored that is right in front of them.

All parents want the best for their child, especially when it comes to learning and education. But education starts long before kindergarten. It starts in the HOME – where the heart is. Parents do a great service to humanity as a whole when they are conscious to instill a love of learning in children by fostering healthy curiosity about the world around them and encouraging exploration and discovery. When this happens, some divine alchemy is formed and all of a sudden, children see learning come alive in their eyes. When this occurs, they have a natural reverence and mindfulness of the world around them. It’s much easier then to enjoy school and create habits of learning – and these are habits that they’ll carry with them throughout their entire lives.

Talking with your child about life’s everyday experiences will help each of you understand the others’ viewpoints, values, dreams, and interests. Parents need not only talk, but also listen to their children. Answering questions, or helping children find the answers, will help your child develop a sense of value and self-respect.

Many parents think activities such as going to the zoo, museums, or shows make up for lost time with their children. But, there can be just as much educational value in everyday activities, such as going to the bank, going grocery shopping, or doing a project at home. Parents just need to plan ahead a little to help their child discover the world.

Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, emphasized the importance of achieving balance in the three different means by which a person relates to the world through the realm of thinking, through the life of feelings, and through physical activity. In Waldorf circles – this is known as head, heart, and hands – and this synergy nurtures the child’s self-reliance, while building personal integrity and a sense of social responsibility. Children’s days should have a balance of practical activities to prepare him as thoroughly as possible for the flexibility needed to meet all life experiences, while at the same time instilling a life-long love of learning. The best way to do this is to include him or her. It sounds so simple, and yet just look around and see how disconnected people (families) have become.

The important thing for parents to remember is that they are the most important teachers in their child’s life.

Children are born eager to learn, but parents need to help them channel that learning. Talk with children before, during, and after any activity. The more you talk with each other, the more rewarding your conversations will be, and the better you will get to know your child…. ♥

One bitterly cold winter evening, the young Martin rode through the gates of Amiens on his fine, proud horse. He was dressed in the regalia of his military unit: gleaming armor, a bright helmet and a beautiful white cloak, lined with lambs wool. It was nearly freezing outside, but his thick cloak kept him warm. He was hardly aware  

The rest of this article is available to premium members only.
Login or Become a member

[Guarded by Membership Site Software: WordPress Membership Site Plugin - MemberWing - membership site plugin]
[Supported by: VGA Capture Cards and VGA Capture Solutions]

I’ve done this with my daughters for the last two years.

Although it’s recommended for Grade 1 or 2, my four year old managed with just a little help:-)

The first time, they were so surprised to see the pumpkin appear in their painting! We hung the paintings on our front door for Halloween and had so many nice comments…

Begin by painting a large golden yellow ball- this will be your pumpkin, but don’t tell them you’re painting a pumpkin.

Next, surround with

The rest of this article is available to premium members only.
Login or Become a member

[Guarded by Membership Site Software: WordPress Membership Site Plugin - MemberWing - membership site plugin]
[Supported by: VGA Capture Cards and VGA Capture Solutions]

As the weather becomes colder, and Halloween draws near, the Sugar Sprite Fairy requires more sugar to keep warm than she needs in the summer months. She knows that on Halloween, thousands of children will participate in an old custom we know as trick-or-treating, going door to door to collect sugary sweets. Because of this special ritual, there will be mountains of sweet and sugary candy in abundance. This is great news for the Sugar Sprite, and exactly what she needs to feed herself and her sweet family.

On All Hallows Eve, or Halloween as most of us now call it, the children are so excited that often they get careless – as they run door to door, they drop many pieces of candy – and The Sugar Sprite and all of her helpers are there to collect there. Yes, some children do sample some candy along the way while walking around in the cold night air, and it does tend to keep them warmer and more excited to keep on going door to door!

Some lucky children, those who know of The Sugar Sprite’s existence, they place their candy at the foot of their beds (or outside the front door, etc.) before going to sleep.

During the night, the friendly Sugar Sprite comes and takes the candy – and more often than not, she leaves a wonderful gift of thanks. This is almost always a wonderful new toy, some beautiful silks and playclips or that special something the child has been wishing for (after all, a Sugar Sprite is a Fairy, which means she knows exactly what it is you have been wishing!)

Yes, the Sugar Sprite knows what all children like, but sometimes the children write letters or make pictures for the sprite about a week before Halloween so she doesn’t get confused (she has to visit a lot of children to collect enough sugar for the coming winter!)

Enjoy your Halloween and Thank You for remembering and taking care of The Sugar Sprite!

Q: Do you have any ideas for the festivals of Michaelmas & Martinmas. They come so close together.

A: Our friend Renee was kind enough to share this story and idea for using it during the transition time between Michaelmas (September 29th) and Martinmas (November 11th). It really does fit well and is enjoyed by young children, who delight in helping to make the pancakes! (and YES, I have included the recipe!)

The Hungry Dragon

The dragon had not been out for days. It had been raining and he hated getting wet, but his stomach was growling. So, he went to the far corner of his cave and there, in his treasure chest, among gold coins and jewels, he found his rain boots, an old umbrella, and bucket for his cloudberries, special berries that grow in Norway.

He ventured outside. Looking up t the clouds and the pouring rain, he grumbled, “It’s miserable, but at least there aren’t any hunters out in this rain.” The dragon was afraid of hunters. Most of the dragons he had known had either been chased, like himself, into small caves high in the mountains or shot dead. There were no berries near  

The rest of this article is available to premium members only.
Login or Become a member

[Guarded by Membership Site Software: WordPress Membership Site Plugin - MemberWing - membership site plugin]
[Supported by: VGA Capture Cards and VGA Capture Solutions]

Once there was a little hobgoblin who lived deep in the woods, in a little rocky dell. He was a very naughty little hobgoblin, for his favorite pastime was to play tricks on the farmers, and on the farmer’s children, and on the townspeople, and on the townspeople’s children.

When night came and it was dark outside, the little hobgoblin would peer out of

The rest of this article is available to premium members only.
Login or Become a member

[Guarded by Membership Site Software: WordPress Membership Site Plugin - MemberWing - membership site plugin]
[Supported by: VGA Capture Cards and VGA Capture Solutions]

Q:  Would you tell me something more about children’s toys?

A:  I wouldlove to as this is one of my most favorite subjects!

Toys that Teach: A Lesson in Reverence, Gratitude and Beauty

A toy is something your child invests precious time in and in this way it acts as a teacher. The right toy can teach your child to care, to be watchful and conscious, to be careful, to appreciate, to love. In your child’s hands are the keys to learning to be grateful, to appreciate beauty, to have a sense of peace and reverence for life in all its forms… By the same token, the wrong toys can teach your child anger, frustration, disregard, insult and mockery. How many times have you seen this at the community playground? Children mimicking the grotesque objects they have been playing with? Making grimaces and bullying the other children. They are putting out what they have taken in, from their toys.

What can a plastic contraption possibly teach your child? What lesson is hidden within the action figure? When children have a room full of such toys they are often so overwhelmed, that they choose not to play at all. Grandparents come and say they are spoiled. Oftentimes, when they do choose to play, they play in a very aggressive and destructive manner. They show no sense of love or caring for these toys. They show no gratitude for these toys. These toys which growl at you and make grimaces at you seem to be designed to instill or teach anger, frustration, and hatred. Ask yourself “what does my child get from such a toy?” If you closely observe your child you will discover that their play lasts about 5 minutes at most and they end up being frustrated and overwhelmed. They physically look ill after playing this way, with these toys.

The reason for this is that children take everything from their play and it becomes a part of who they are and who they are about to become. Children internalize everything from

The rest of this article is available to premium members only.
Login or Become a member

[Guarded by Membership Site Software: WordPress Membership Site Plugin - MemberWing - membership site plugin]
[Supported by: VGA Capture Cards and VGA Capture Solutions]

Q. I homeschool, but I often find myself wishing for a school. How do you handle this?

A. When I was involved with the school, we created an Enrichment Program and actually hired a part time teacher for the homeschoolers in our community. Some weeks the classes were full, others not at all, but the school did make an effort for the community outreach. I also created a flier which I presented to the school about a “handwork club” which was to take place after school hours on the playground (and at the school in case of rain).

The main reason for this club was to get the children who were home schooled as well as the children from the school who were staying after a while to enjoy the playground to meet… and to have all of the children of all different age groups play together while moms shared ideas, and so on. The “trade off” was that the crafts we created were donated to the school to sell at fundraisers, etc. It really worked quite nicely.

I think schools who are just starting, or go through 1st or 2nd grade are open to co-oping with home schoolers, because they want a community as well… but that older and more established schools, schools which have faculties and all the grades, etc… they DO tend to put out the image that they know best, and it IS much harder to get in/or any respect as a home schooler from them. At least that has been my experience.

I do have to say however, that our enrichment program grew the following year into a healthy first grade, as many of the parents learned or discovered that their children got “used” to the “group” friends, etc.. and WANTED to be there all of the time… so I suppose each person has to really look deep within and see what it is they REALLY want or expect from such an arrangement.

I am a strong believer of where there is a will there is a way, and being the one who initiates or makes the first move is sometimes necessary when you are the one wanting the community, after all, the “school” already HAS their community! Also, when I had the catalog, the school invited me to sell at fairs, etc… I was never asked to give anything to the school, but always did give a percentage, because I figured if I wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have made that money…

Most folks were thrilled that the school has me come, but several of the more “strict” types (on the board, and so forth) really seemed to resent it and would bring up the “fact” that the school doesn’t endorse our company, etc…

It’s really what each individual brings to it, and expects to take away at the end of the day. Community, and “Waldorf” community are really one and the same… your local merchants, neighbors who DO share some of your views and ideals ARE your community! Enjoy them!!! and if you still long for more, CREATE IT! Be pushy, go to the school, offer your ideas, suggestions and time… go to their open house, that’s always a place to meet folks who are thinking Waldorf, but maybe not actually thinking school…

Best of Luck to you!

Friends: If you have any ideas or suggestions that may help our readers, we highly encourage you to use the comment boxes to SHARE!  Thank so much everyone!

What is the Enki perspective or ethic that we are working with?

There are two major aspects which manifest slightly differently in different types of materials. First of all, underlying all else is the belief that all human beings, by birthright, have within them an unconditional vitality, wisdom and compassion. We could call this a fundamental innocence. While it may be more or less challenged and obscured in the course of each life, it is our birthright, neither earned nor lost and always there for the uncovering. Along with the content and language of the stories, we bring this experience forth by offering stories from all over the world.

Second, connecting with this birthright or natural innocence requires the integration of body, heart, and mind which, in turn, depends on meeting the child where he is and mirroring back to him the value of his inner longings and issues. These inner issues and longings result from a developmental sequence that has not only been seen by professional child observers and teachers, but is readily visible to all.

From the Enki perspective, ONLY THOSE STORIES AND ACTIVITIES WHICH MIRROR THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE OF THE CHILD CAN BRING ABOUT AN INTEGRATION OF BODY, HEART, AND MIND, and in turn, connect him with his natural gifts.

Therefore, however “true” or wonderful a story may be, for us it is only a “true tale” if it is in harmony with the child’s development and thus brings integration. No story is a “true tale” in and of itself.

We have found stories for the kindergartner which address both these issues are not easy to find. We have researched hundreds of books covering thousands of stories, and have long pondered the reason for this. It will take the perspective of time and an in depth anthropological study to really understand, but it is our hypothesis that the difficulty in finding appropriate material for the kindergartner stems from the changing world we live in. 4 and 5 year olds today face very different challenges than they did generations ago. They are being pushed much too fast and are not fully developing the ground they need to grow with confidence. Today¹s kindergartner lives, either personally or by way of peers, in a world of broken homes and fractured communities. He is bombarded with information and mature imagery on a daily basis. TV presents a series of role models who are praised for their ability to outsmart or put down others. We wind up with an explosion of ADD, cynicism, and withdrawn, anti-social behaviors. For this reason, we feel many of the traditional tales that once gave the child an excellent balance of independence and security, are no longer appropriate. Today he needs challenge within security in a way he has not in the past.

Kindergartners need to know that home is dependable. This knowledge must be in place for them to safely and successfully journey out from home and grow and change. Therefore, all the kindergarten stories involve facing a challenge and returning home, unchanged and safe. In some of our stories this process is straightforward; in others it comes forth as delight in the natural cycles that make up our ecosystem.

Part of the kindergartners’ safety is in knowing that life is dependable and has an order that they can take hold of and work with. This is met in our materials through simplicity and repetition. Repetition happens first in the unfolding of the story. Each story has within it a basic three-fold cycle so the child knows what to expect and can anticipate outcomes. As well, each story has a repeating verse that captures some central aspect of the story.

Together these allow the child to feel he is master of the story world. Our experience has shown that, while children have always needed repetition, in today¹s busy and chaotic world, the element of simple repetition has proven even more important. For this reason some of our stories have been made even more simple and repetitive than the original versions.

Third, the kindergartner, like the younger child, finds his health in the wholeness of the world, and not in his individuality. Individuality requires a standing back and separating, a self-consciousness. While the kindergartner has begun to exercise this muscle, at this juncture he needs reassurance that he can just melt into the world and find its natural harmony and nourishment. Therefore, all the stories create a world which the child is free to enter and take from, but none of them have an interactive or reflective aspect. In telling the stories, we create a world and each child is free to take it in as fits his needs.

All our stories, verses, and projects are chosen and adapted, or written, to address all of these issues and thus nourish the kindergartner of today.

THE ENKI KINDERGARTEN RESOURCE BOOK IS COMPLETE AND AVAILABLE NOW!

From around the world and through the seasons come over 100 circle activities, 80 stories, and 60 projects, all created, or chosen and adapted, specifically for the 4-6 year old. Song tape included. Also included is in depth guidance on when, why, and how to use these materials, to help teachers and parents offer a rich and focused experience, without expending undue time and effort in preparation.

First Time Buyers: full price is $200 plus shipping (please ask the post office for rates on shipping 7 pounds, from zip 03242 to you) for the Kindergarten Resource Book. Or buy the Teachers’ Guides at $200 plus shipping, full description on the web at www.enkieducation.org.

Enki Teachers’ Guide Owners

If you already own the Teachers’ Guide, the Resource book is $125 plus shipping. Send your check and order to:

Enki Education, Inc.
29 Old W. Hopkinton Rd
Henniker, NH 03242

Don’t forget to order our 30 minute video with footage inside classrooms using the Enki approach! Just $20 and no shipping fees if ordered with a book.

Further Study

• Holistic Education: Enki At A Glance
• What Is Enki Education
• Why are you called Enki
• What is so special about an Enki Education
• When and how did this approach begin
• How does Enki meet the Special Needs Child
• What can I expect of the teachers in an Enki Program
• How early do you begin teaching a foreign language
• How does Enki nurture the child with Special Needs
• How do graduates of the Enki program fare
• What are teachers and parents saying about the Enki Program

Reaching Out: Making connections with the elderly, lonely and handicapped…

How do you incorporate elderly people into your lives/curriculum?

We have “adopted” my ex-friends parents ages 78 and 66. We visit them 2-3 times a week, they teach the children about gardening, the children rake and help in their yard. They pick oranges and just interact… I think contact with people near the threshold of death is quite important for children and that they both bring joy to the people and take away knowledge for themselves. The woman is very ill — they have watched her deteriorate, but have been there to offer hugs, a helping hand, etc. I am big on cycles of life — birth, death and I think in a tribal village this would be a very large part of a child’s community rhythm, to experience the joys and the losses.

Sadly, in this culture many of us are far removed from such experiences… Rahima is now heavily working with elderly and dying patients and the last time she was here we spent the day discussing this and I’ve always wanted the time to look deeper into Steiner’s writings on this. There is also much to be said about the spiritual rewards for working with handicapped and children who suffer with downs, and related conditions.

When I was a girl scout and went to summer camp, I always was drawn to the camp next door which was for the blind, deaf, downs, etc.. children… I think they even called it something like “handi-camp” instead of handicap — people at my own camp made fun of me that I wanted to go there — some children can be so mean… Anyhow, I was like 11, 12, 13 – it was each summer for about 3-4 years. It meant a lot to me and I still have many of my photos.

Anyhow – I think I am making a page about such experiences and would love to see some discussion and hear your stories about either — or both! ~Blessings, Kytka

Michelle Writes:

I have 5 children between the ages of 1 and 8. We are opening up a care home this fall and will be caring for a few elderly persons in our home. The kids have always been around their grandparents and great grandparents, one of which passed away a few days ago. We attended the funeral yesterday and the kids took it very well. They asked me if they could go up to the casket to view grandpa and say good bye.

At first I wasn’t sure if this would be the greatest thing but I looked into their eyes and saw no fear and thought why not!! So we went up and the kids peered in and said their good byes with smiles on their faces. We are devote Christians and so the children knew Grandpa Eddie was now with Jesus and in no more pain so I know this is why they were smiling. They knew Grandpa was o.k. and happy now.

We also have another great grandpa in a convalescent home, there for temporary therapy of whom we visited last week. The kids made cards for him to hang in his room. Grandpa’s eyes lit up when he saw them. That made them feel good. It seems to be a very natural experience for the children to see our loved ones go on to the other side, and I think it really encourages compassion and shows them how very precious each of our lives are as it doesn’t last forever. There is an end to this life for all of us and that if at all possible we should take it on ourselves to care and love for our family and friends as they need us.

Roxine Writes:

Yes, I also have always felt drawn to older people, very old people in fact have always seemed so gentle and wise. It was not until recently have I experienced how some who are not healthy can be mean or insensitive. It was just always something that I thought by the time people get old, they just get a lot more able to be gracious and accepting of their limitations. We have an elderly man who is quite an inspiration and part of our family. He still rides a bicycle and does a lot for himself. He’d rather have it that way. He repairs clocks and does jewelry making also. He has repaired some of our clocks and jewelry. We have made pickles for him for several years. We made saurkraut with him a couple years ago.

We hire him also to prune our grapes as he is a master. He has given us starts from his German grapes. This year he made his own wine. He is very keen on natural remedies and healthy diet, always inspiring in telling us what he has found lately that is good at the health food coop. Sometimes he asks for help, but not often. He needs me to give him a haircut every now and then and likes when we can sit outside to do that (not in winter of course). He adopted a little dog when the owner passed away. Many of his friends have already passed away so he sometimes calls just to talk or comes over for a visit.

Sometimes he has come to our family dinners at the Holiday time. He has made friends with friends of our family (whereas when we first met him he was very shy and withdrawn, keeping to himself) and one boy and his Mom now bake special spelt bread for him. He has certain dietary requirements that he knows help him to keep healthy and called just this morning to tell us about how if he eats at the Senior Center, it makes him get sick so he may have to take his own food there. He doesn’t enjoy going too many places, however, he has taken me (I drove) to visit some of his friends sometimes and he brought his grown son to our house to meet us also. My husband and son have built him a new front door and some grape arbors. He has had them build clock bases and boxes for his various parts he uses in his repairs. It has been a ten year relationship since we moved here and I first called just to have a clock repaired.

My younger ones just see him as an adopted Grandpa. They enjoy visiting with him on the phone when he calls too. He calls to let us know if he is not feeling well, but usually if we don’t hear from him, then we’ll give him a call. Once when we had an extra car that we weren’t using, we offered to let him borrow it and then it worked out for him to buy it from us. He had gone through hard times in his life before we met him, but he has just always been quite a wonderful example of resourcefulness and full of stories that are so good for the children to hear.

Hygeia Writes:

Aloha and welcome to wake up weekly! “I just have to tell you what an awesome mom you are and the courage to stand up and be different from this system of crap that has been handed down to us…I am trying!! This world can be sooo overwhelming!”

Welcome to America – a place that, unfortunately, is spreading family separation far and wide, beginning with the belief that women cannot be their own care-givers in pregnancy.

Three keys show us the way home…

1. homebirth
2. breastfeeding and family bed
3. home education

Literate societies hire anthropologists to study non-literate societies in the hopes of learning more about being human. Yet the literate feel superior to the very role models that give them the answers to their questions. You don’t need to study anthropology to know…you need to follow your hormonal heart, and that does not require the rudiments of reading.

If you are going to research anything, re-search your heart for the primal knowledge genetically encoded into our human being. Our breasts flow with milk whether we read about it or not. Our babies come out of our bodies whether in the company of others or not. And our babies want a womb with a view upon birth whether our society agrees or not.

Ladies, birth your babies proudly, breastfeed them wholeheartedly, sleep with them like a she-bear, wear them close to your heart by day…

My brothers, listen to your women or you will be the problem she doesn’t need in her role as “everything” to her young.

Love, Hygeia

*Thank you Hygeia – for all of your inspiration!

Check out Hygeia’s book:  Primal Mothering in a Modern World

Gail Writes:

Kytka, Thank you for forwarding Hygiea’s message about about bringing the family home, for home birth, breastfeeding and family bed, and home education. It is so refreshing and comforting to find such wise counsel on this list. I wonder what you all think about adding another sacred moment to the list of rites of passage best kept at home. I had the honor of being with my father-in-law when he died at home. We were served with great respect and love by Hospice there outside Los Angeles, where he lived. To me, it felt like life became a full circle in the most blessed of ways.

Winter had come to my father-in-law’s life, through lung cancer, and being with him as he quietly and gracefully accepted new birth has become a cornerstone in my understanding of the seasons we try to live into in Waldorf homeschooling. In trying to piece this painful part of life back into our families after it has been so anti-septicized and far-removed is not easy. This is a part of real life that is not pleasant, yet it makes the circle whole. I wonder how you all feel about including this in “bringing it home”, and I especially wonder how you all feel about how we talk with our children about death. If we do bring death home, how do we deal with it with our children? How present can they be? At what age are they ready to really understand Winter?

I read somewhere how younger children should really be shielded from the darker side of Lent as we move towards Easter. I can intuitively understand that, but what about real life aspects of the pain that is symbolically addressed through Lent? I am hoping we can approach this discussion from different spiritual perspectives, as this issue is one we must all face.

Proverbs For Parenting
By Patti Chadwick

“Remember the Lord’s people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don’t forget those who are suffering but imagine that you are there with them.” ~Hebrews 13:3 CEV

Life is busy.

We live in an extremely fast-paced society that constantly screams at us to hurry along to go on to the next thing that needs to be done. We don’t take a lot of time to reflect on our own lives, let alone have time to think about the situation of others.

Is living in this kind of “hecticity” good for us or does it cause us to be self-centered? Do we get so caught up living our own lives and trying to meet the needs of our own families that we don’t have the time or the energy to look outside ourselves to realize or even care about what others are going through?

There are many hurting people in the world. People who are struggling to make ends meet. Families that are falling apart. Associates who are suffering for a loved one’s mistakes. Those who are sick and/or dying. People who suffer for their faith. Have you ever seriously thought about what you and your family can do to help?

We need to teach our children to look outside of themselves, but first, we need to make sure that we are able to look past our own circumstances and determine what we can do for others. We need to learn to have a broader view of life than what is happening in our own backyard.

People need people.

God has made us that way. And there is no greater joy than the joy found in helping our fellow man. Take a look around you. Do you see anyone who needs an encouraging word? Do you see anyone who needs someone to care about the pain they are in? You won’t have to look far. Take the time today to actually SEE those around you. And then determine what you can do to help.

Thanks to all who contributed. If YOU would like to add something – please use the comment box!

Thank you!