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Sunday With Sarah LIVE

Sarah Baldwin, M.S.Ed., Waldorf teacher, author, and owner of Bella Luna Toys, answers viewers’ questions on:

Boys and Gun Play
Waldorf Education
Learning to Read
Resources for Puppet Plays
Parenting

and more in this one-hour Facebook Live event (recorded July 31, 2016).

Note: The Sarah’s Silks giveaway mentioned in the video has ended.

0:00 Welcome and Introduction

0:45 Be sure to Like Bella Luna Toys on Facebook. Then hover on the “Liked” button and choose “See First” to be sure not to miss my posts.

3:24 Boys and Gun Play

14:56 Is a Waldorf school appropriate for a child on the autism spectrum?

18:32 What is the difference between Waldorf education and Montessori education?

25:48 How do I respond to a four-year-old who is showing an interest in letters and reading?

31:19 How can I incorporate Waldorf elements, like “rhythm,” into my Montessori classroom?

35:05 How should I go about introducing Waldorf homeschooling to my 6-year-old and 4-year-old?

38:31 What ages does Waldorf education cover? What about homeschooling through middle school and high school?

43:34 What toys would you recommend for a 6-month old girl?

48:47 What components would you feel are essential in a 3-year-old’s home and school environment?

51:58 What resources would you recommend for puppet plays for 3- to 6-year-olds?

57:14 Thank you so much for joining me for this first live event! I’d welcome your feedback and hope you’ll join me again!

August 14, 2016 by Sarah Baldwin

Homeschooling, Storytelling, Waldorf Education

Storytelling: The Heart of Waldorf Education

From a Parent-Toddler class through the grades, children in a Waldorf school are immersed in stories.

Starting with simple nature stories in the early childhood, children will hear many stories through the years: fairy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, legends, biographies, and stories from history, spoken aloud by the teacher and transmitted heart-to-heart.

In addition, academic subjects throughout the grades−from math to science to history to art to handwork—are all introduced through storytelling.

For example, in a past video blog post on Waldorf watercolor painting, I demonstrated how a kindergarten teacher might introduce painting with a story about “Tippy Brush,” who dips his toes into the water for a foot bath before inviting the other colors to come and play with him.

A first-grade teacher who is introducing the four processes of basic arithmetic may tell an imaginative story about Princess Plus, Duke Division, or Emperor Equal.

Teaching math through storytelling. Used with permission of the Bright Water School.

Introducing subjects through stories engages children’s imaginations and strengthens their inner picturing capabilities–their ability to create a picture in their “mind’s eye,” an essential skill for creative thinking later in life. Continue Reading

May 10, 2015 by Sarah Baldwin

Homeschooling, Sunday With Sarah, Waldorf Homeschooling

Waldorf Homeschooling Part 2: Learning to Let Go

On this week’s Sunday With Sarah I share further thoughts on Waldorf homeschooling, and the lessons I learned when I began to let go of sticking with a prescribed curriculum, and the idea of “Waldorf School at home.”