I haven't posted a lot about our learning routine and what's happening lately because I've been seriously chewing on some new ideas, thoughts, and philosophies that really had me quite pensive. There has been a lot of talk about the Waldorf philosophy of education lately over at the 4Real forums and I've been doing a lot of thinking about it myself. It all started with this post of Elizabeth's that left many of us saying, "Yes, yes, I want that for my kids too." But I must warn you, a foray into Waldorf must begin with the knowledge that its basic philosophies are filled with some very strange new age ideas. If you are interested in finding out more about bringing Waldorf-inspired art, learning, and beauty into your home, read about it from Catholic bloggers like the ones linked here. It is much easier to take away the really amazing things from the Catholic-filtered versions than to delve into the whole thing yourself and try to weed it out. I almost started to put Waldorf down and walk away because of that, but something inside me was begging for more of its ideas on gentleness, rhythm, and beauty. I did a lot of praying and discerning about what wisdom the Holy Spirit was asking me as a mom to take away from these discussions. I do have a tendency to see someone else's neat ideas and want to run with them, but I can get myself so overwhelmed that way. I really needed to know that introducing new ways of doing things was God's design for this family, not just my joining in the fun.
One key idea that has rooted in my heart is the notion that children thrive on gentle rhythm. I have always hated the word structure. I used it out of necessity, but never desired the feeling it evoked in me. To me, it speaks of concrete blocks and immovable walls. I never wanted to raise my children on a schedule that did not flex and bend. But I did want to give them what their minds, bodies, and souls need to thrive--enough of all the things they need in a day--sleep, nutrition, fresh air, active time, quiet time, affection and attention, time to pray, reflect, read, think, create, move. I have a new word now, thanks to my "Waldorfy" friends, one that speaks to the aging ballerina in me: rhythm. Now that word is altogether different for me. It speaks of gentle changes of pace, natural ebb and flow, enough of everything with the transitions blended seamlessly and joyfully--a day, a week, a month, a year woven intricately together so that one feels fulfilled and satisfied by the final tapestry. Rhythm is what we are striving for here, softness, sweetness, and wonder at each time of the day. How are we achieving it? As usual, not as perfectly as I'd like, but we're working on it.
The children always seem to run off playing just after breakfast, as if the morning has come and they're so happy to see each other again. Yesterday's quarrels are forgotten and their are new ideas to be acted upon. I was always harping on them to finish their routines, chores, and get to prayer. But after thinking a bit about rhythm and their natural tendencies, I changed my way of doing things. Now they have breakfast and finish their morning routine (get dressed, make bed, put dirty laundry in the hamper, brush teeth, wash face and hands) and have play time. No toys, no TV, nothing but one another and ideas. While they are doing so, I change and dress little ones, complete my morning tasks, and get the day's books and supplies laid out.
After this, the kids are more ready to sit for prayer time, which includes singing a traditional hymn (we learn a new one each month), sharing the intentions for which we will offer the joys, works, and sufferings of our day, practice of formal prayers, and scripture reading. Then the kids model with beeswax while I read aloud from a saint biography or Catholic picture book. We close prayer time with a look at our "liturgical line"...it is a ribbon "clothesline" stretched across our mantle from which I hang items that include our prayer intentions board, a reminder of the liturgical season and color, and a reminder if there is a special feast or memorial celebrated that day in the Church as well as a holy card of the saint being celebrated. Currently, the St. Therese rose novena prayer hangs there as well, along with what started out as nine holy cards of her...we have taken one down each day after we prayed the prayer.
It is after this that I direct the kids in chores. For some reason, I feel more focused and they are so much more pliable and cooperative when there is not the underlying frenetic pace to hurry and finish so we can start the day. This is the day. It has started. This work is a natural and rather enjoyable part of it. Plus I am able to nurse the baby while they work which makes the rest of the morning work so much better.
After chore time, a quick snack and drink are shared, then Quinn does some short lessons in math, spelling, and language while I have a circle time with the younger crowd. Gabriel, at six, falls right on the border, but I encourage him to join the circle time and he usually does. We sing songs, repeat rhymes, dance and move, do finger plays and tell stories.
Next we are starting with a new plan, main lesson blocks. In a Waldorf curriculum, these are extended lessons where a certain subject, such as farming, is studied from many angles, and the children make a record of their learning in a book, called a main lesson book, using high quality art supplies, like beeswax crayons, high-quality colored pencils, or liquid watercolor pigments. To adapt the concept to something that would work for us, we need to all work on the same subject. Each child has his own lesson book, and we are studying the seasons for this year...they will do a lesson book for each season, starting now with autumn. We will consider the colors associated with the season, calendar holidays, liturgical celebrations, which fruits and vegetables are natural to that season, which foods are associated with it, which flowers bloom. We will note what types of birds, wildlife, and insects we come across in our own backyard. We will make a variety of versions of fall leaves. We will read autumn-themed picture books and narrate them, then illustrate. I will continue to share ideas from this lesson as we work through it. After this the children are allowed some time to play with the items on the seasonal display we have created (photo to come).
Then they head outside to play while I tend to getting lunch ready and picking up from the morning's activities. At lunch, we read poetry aloud and play oral word games. Then we clean up, put the little ones down for naps and head into the afternoon.
This is already getting quite long, but for my own good I would like to write out the rest of the day. I'll work on it tomorrow though, and if none of you come back to read it, I won't be offended!
Want to read about other families' quests for rhythm and beauty? Check out these blogs: