Natural Toys, Play, Sarah's Silks, Sunday With Sarah, Waldorf Dolls, Waldorf Toys, Wooden Toys

Best Waldorf Toys: A Teacher’s Top Five Picks

I am often asked by parents who are waiting to transform their child’s playthings from commercial plastic toys to more natural Waldorf toys for my recommendations of the most essential Waldorf toys. This week on “Sunday with Sarah” I share five of my top picks and discuss the play value of each.

Keep in mind that if you are limited by budget some of these toys can be handmade or built oneself!

Video Highlights:

1:00 Heavy Baby Waldorf Dolls
2:30 Play Silks (Playsilks)
4:00 Ostheimer Wooden Toys
5:16 Waldorf Play Stands (Playstands)
6:35 Wooden Play Kitchens
7:23 Waldorf Rocker Board
10:09 Upcoming Giveaway – Win a Waldorf Rocker Board!

Giveaway!

Mark your calendar and be sure to come back next Sunday (August 25, 2013) for a chance to win a Curvy Board Waldorf Rocker Board from Bella Luna Toys.

Do you or your child have a favorite Waldorf toy? What would be on your top five list? Anything you think I’ve omitted? Please share your thoughts, comments, and questions here!

August 18, 2013 by Sarah Baldwin

Education, Music

Music and Joy in the Slums of Nairobi: The Gatoto Primary School

Last time on “Sunday With Sarah” I shared my observations of my visit to a Waldorf school for Samburu children in the African bush.

This week, I describe a very different visit — this time to an urban school in the slums of Nairobi. The Gatoto Primary School is not a Waldorf school, but the joy, love and beauty I experienced here moved me in deep and profound ways.

After listening to my story, please click on the link below to hear the children of Gatoto sing!

And click the video below to listen to the children recite poetry under the direction of their elocution teacher.

You can find more video recordings of the children of Gatoto by searching YouTube for “Gatoto School.”

As always, I welcome your comments and questions. If you have any ideas on how I might be able to bring these children to the U.S. to sing for American audiences to raise money for the school and awareness of life in the slums, please drop be a line!

August 11, 2013 by Sarah Baldwin

Sunday With Sarah, Waldorf Education

Nomad Education in Kenya: Waldorf in the Bush

Welcome back to another “Sunday With Sarah.” It’s been more than a month since I’ve posted, and I’ve missed you!

I’ve returned from my AMAZING trip to Africa, and today want to tell you about the Waldorf school I visited for Samburu children in the Laikipia region of Kenya.

After viewing the video, you can learn more about the Samburu Trust‘s efforts to provide health care and education to the Samburu people. You can also make a donation on their website. The children who attend the school pay no tuition, and the school gets no government funding. Having visited, I know that any donation, no matter how small, will be much appreciated!

Video Highlights:

00:05 Happy to be back after a long absence!
01:07 Today I want to tell you about my visit to the Waldorf school for Samburu children.
01:27 Meet Julia Francombe, founder of the Samburu Trust and the Waldorf school.
01:55 Our long walk through the bush to reach the grade school.
02:42 We arrive at the grade school and meet the 1st and 2nd graders.
03:10 The teachers are all young men. Samburu warriors!
04:50 I shared songs with one of the eager young teachers.
05:10 Waldorf teacher training in Kenya.
05:40 Visit to the kindergarten.
06:10 I came bearing gifts of Waldorf toys, and felt like Santa!
09:21 Meeting the needs of a nomadic culture. The “three moons” school calendar.
10:35 The work of the Samburu Trust.
11:35 Learn more and donate at www.samburutrust.org

After viewing the video, I’m sure you’ll have as many questions as I left with! Leave your questions and comments here, and I’ll do my best to answer them, or find answers for you.

July 21, 2013 by Sarah Baldwin

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