Why I don’t subscribe to the waldorf philosophy anymore

 

Hi guys,

I just wanted to share something that has changed for us over this past year. 

As you know, we have often loosely followed waldorf curriculum over the years.

Around a year ago I became slowly more and more aware that the actual philosophy and spirituality of waldorf is actually in conflict to my christian/ catholic faith.

Our homeschool still includes a focus on nature, art, handwork, catholic feast days, home and natural, eco friendly toys but a deeper look at the waldorf philosophy reveals things that I can’t reconcile and do I won’t be using or promoting any waldorf anymore and will also not be selling or promoting waldorf in my shop. 

I’ve seen and heard a lot of Christian Mama’s coming to a similar conclusion recently. I don’t want to share anything that could lead others to something that has occult undertones. I personally know how damaging that can be. I prayerfully encourage you to watch  Sister Emmanuelle Maillard's testimony on YouTube for some insight. This is why I’m writing this post.

I thought about simply shutting down the blog but wanted to explain things honestly first. 

Here are some thoughts. 

There are so many things that can look inviting and beautiful, so many different ideas vying for our attention. 

One thing that always appealed to me with waldorf was the beautiful scenes of playrooms and seasonal tables. The ‘simplicity’ of the curriculum also appealed. But the curriculum in terms of planning and implementation was often far from ‘simple’ or inexpensive. 

Something  that looks beautiful on the outside isn’t always good and something that is good doesn’t always look beautiful in the way the world defines beauty. Sometimes true beauty is hidden and secret, not something that can be displayed or look impressive.

I realise how little I really know and how much I need God’s wisdom and Grace for guidance and discernment. I really do get lost on my own. It’s humbling to realise how much I need my faith to keep my steps from wandering. 

False ideas, however ‘beautiful’ they look on the outside will only cause harm in the end.

That is why I want to keep things simple. I pray that our homeschool is founded on simple faith. 

Something that requires no bells and whistles, no outward show and may make no perfect pictures.

 I pray that I with all my failings and errors are not at the centre of the picture but that Jesus is.

I pray that our homeschool will be fashioned by Truth and the Love that flows forth from all that is true. 

Sending love to any and all who read this. I hope and pray any who might have been influenced by any false philosophy from my blog accept my sincere apologies. 

Waldorf Handwork Philosophy

 

 The traditional Waldorf stages are defined as...

• Hands/Will/ Angels, ( 0-7)
• Hearts/Imagination/ Artists (7-14)
• Head/Understanding/Scientists (14-21) 
• 
  

 Handwork is important in all these stages.

 (0-7)
In the stage of Hands/Wills/Angels (0-7) handwork can be taught through modelling where a child can watch an adult work around them and absorb it naturally. 
A child will also be more interested in exploring the feel of materials rather than actually designing or fashioning them into a finished product.
Supervised play with clay, bread dough, soft wool roving and natural seed pods, stones and shells is a perfect introduction to handwork at this age.

(7-14)
Here handwork can be used as a tool to spark the imagination. The child can begin to learn how raw materials are grown, harvested and processed. Children can discover how fleece is washed, carded and spun into yarn. From this deep connection to the natural environment children can begin to learn simple weaving, felting, finger knitting, knitting, crocheting and sewing. 
Projects can be carefully designed, planned and slowly worked through week on week. 

(14-21)
Young people may enjoy designing their own patterns and projects at this stage. This is also the perfect time to introduce traditional crafts such as pottery, metal work, wood work and glass work. Many local artisans are happy to offer workshops. 

An Emphasis on understanding the journey not just the destination.
In Waldorf schools, children are given the opportunity to see the process of creation from start to finish.
An example of that is getting the children to collect local sheep fleece. They wash, card and spin the fleece, plie it to create yarn and then create something beautiful and useful from it such as a knitted scarf or a crocheted bag.
 Maintaining the vital connection between product and process is essential if we are to remain mindfully compassionate about the choices we make as consumers.
 


Connections between Process and Product
The connection between process and product is also something I want to integrate into our homeschooling day.
So often we can get too caught up on the finish line, the target, the result, when really the process of creation is where the essential learning takes place.



 Honoring the Integrity of the Work
Boo has been learning this lesson well as she weaves her little rope basket, day by day, inching around a circle, two stitches forward and one stitch back!
At first it was really hard for her to undo any work that was messy and could be improved on. She became very attached to the idea of "just finishing".
Now undoing and redoing are something she takes on board much more easily and through it she gives her work integrity. 

Making Each Stitch Count
How many times in life will we have to make each stitch count for its own sake?
Ultimately, the integrity of a whole life's work rests upon the love given to the single stitches that weave it into one piece.

soft fleece still smelling of the pasture

the spinning dervish of the drop spindle

twirling in the same motion as the spheres both great and small.

uniting all stranded fibres, all distracted threads

Simple

beautiful

Double finger knitted into strands.

"Spring Primula's"

"Maid Marion Handspun Garland"

Process

soft fleece still smelling of the pasture

the spinning dervish of the drop spindle

twirling in the same motion as the spheres both great and small.

uniting all stranded fibres, all distracted threads

Simple

beautiful

"Spring Primula's"

"Maid Marion Handspun Garland"

Nola

Creative Friday!

I have had a lot of fun making these custom birthday crowns for my shop!
I love using organic- fair-trade and naturally plant dyed materials for my work. I really think that the ethical natural and quality of materials brings a warmth and love through the very fibres of the work itself.

I also love the way a design will almost dream itself into being. 
 I get a vision of the design and the work and know exactly what colours to use in an intuitive way.
 It seems that the best things almost "dream" themselves into being!

Joy is an essential ingredient to creative work.
 You can tell when something is made with joy and of pure, natural fabrics, it is so different to handle and touch than anything that has been mass produced.
It holds a different quality and carries a different energy.

Soul light

 The sun gives light to the plants as the sun does love the plants. So one being gives soul light to another when he does love them.
 - Rudolf Steiner
 

a

 

 

Falling back into our Rhytum

 

At last we are getting back into a comfortable rhythm. The cool and cosy glow of Autumn is filtering through and casting it's gentle homely calm across our world.

 

No more hectic, post Summer catch up. No more feeling like I'm falling behind all the time. Instead we are embracing each moment as they come in all their colour.

 

Sometimes I feel like I'm hanging onto that time when they were all little and everything was done in unison. We experienced the day together moving from one activity to another as a collective.

 

Now the girls are very keen to explore their own particular interests and spend time more individually on their own pursuits.

 

It can sometimes feel less consolidate and coherent that way, and of course their are those moments when 5 little people are all creating their various versions of chaos throughout the house and I wonder if there will ever be a clear counter top or table again. But then I see how they are immersed in their work and I feel a warmth deep down in my soul.

 

It is a good feeling.

 

Today Bujana found a ladybird which led to a self styled detailed study on the seasonal behaviour of insects.
I just love how one small intersection can branch outwards and upwards with seeming spontaneity.

 

Look at this little Lamby... She love to pod peas byt carefully "unzipping" their little jeckets and plucking each sweet pea from it's pod :)



And did you notice the fleece?

Yes am now the proud owner of a whole sheeps worth of "Fleece in the Grease" with all the added extras that comes with :S

It is stewing in a tub for it's first rinse as I write!

Stay tuned...More to come on that...

My husband thinks I 've finally gone loopy.  He's slow to catch on isn't he!

:)

Autumnal Rhythums

 

The cool and cosy glow of Autumn is filtering through and casting it's gentle homely calm across our world.

 
{The girls helped me sew the little hats on our Gnumber Gnomes this morning} Here is a great Gnumber Gnomes resource)... and this !

We are embracing each moment in all it's colour.










I feel a warmth deep down in my soul.