In this week’s “Sunday with Sarah” video, I discuss the benefits of string games such as Cat’s Cradle for children’s learning, and why a simple finger string is my favorite stocking stuffer or party favor for children 5 and up.
Did you play Cat’s Cradle or other string games as a child? Does your child play? What are your favorite string games?
If you watched last week’s video on my top five favorite Waldorf toys, or read my blog post “In Praise of Rocker Boards,” then you know why I love this open-ended toy and recommend it so highly.
Not only do rocker boards invite imaginative and active play, but they also help develop a child’s sense of balance (which aids brain development) and strengthen core muscles.
Our rocker boards are made in the U.S.A. by a young Waldorf family in California who were inspired to create the “Curvy Board” after seeing rocker boards in use in their children’s kindergarten classroom.
Rocker Boards can be used indoors or out.
Each Curvy Board is handcrafted in the U.S.A. from nine layers of poplar plywood. The corners have been rounded for safety, the wood sanded smooth, and each has been finished with child-safe varnish for durability.
Click here to watch Mama Natural’s video review of our rocker boards and watch one in action!
For our end-of-summer giveaway, Bella Luna Toys is pleased to offer the following gift to ONE winner:
* * * One Curvy Board Waldorf Rocker Board * * *
This prize ($139.95 value) includes free shipping within the 48 contiguous United States. The giveaway is open to open to all readers, but a winner outside the continental U.S. will be responsible for the cost of shipping.
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know what you like best about this toy. Comments will close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on August 31.
And the winner is:
I am delighted to announce the winner of a Curvy Board – Waldorf rocker board, chosen through a Random Number Generator.
Congratulations to Kim Corrigan-Oliver who commented:
“Thanks for the chance, my little man would love this!”
Many thanks to all of you who entered and for your words of enthusiasm for one of my favorite toys!
Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, recommended thepentatonic harp or lyre (also known as a kinderharp or kinder lyre) as an ideal instrument for use with young children.
Its dreamy, quiet, and heavenly quality is calming and soothing for babies, toddlers and young children, and it’s simple enough for children and adults with little or no musical background to play.
Tuned in the five-note pentatonic scale (D, E, G, A, B, d, e), anything played on the instrument will sound beautiful and harmonious. There are no wrong notes!
I get phone calls and emails every week asking about the differences between the various pentatonic harps and lyres that we sell at Bella Luna Toys, so in this week’s video I demonstrate the differences between them, talk about the benefits of these instruments for in early childhood, and let you actually hear them.
Instruments Demonstrated:
I hope I’ve answered your questions, but if not, leave your comments and questions here and I’ll do my best to answer them!
