What I learned in Waldorf this week - Participation

bensmommy | Jan 21, 2009 | 0 | Posted in Everything Else

This week was ANOTHER yummy soup - leek, parsnip and ginger soup, topped with creme fraiche.  And instead of our usual whole wheat buns, we made popovers, which is great if your child doesn't get near eggs!

We did some review of topics covered in our previous discussions and one really rang true for my son and I.  It has to do with participation.  The more I started involving him in my 'chores', the more he felt useful and engaged.  It has become such a part of our day that I can hardly remember having to struggle to get things done in the house.  He has jobs and I have jobs.  He wipes the kitchen table, sets the plates and silverware out.  He helps rinse the vegetables for the meal, chop the vegetables, stirs anything that needs stiring, hits the button of the food processor, etc.  He even takes a broom after we are finished (which tends to turn into more of a mess, but it's the thought that counts).  It makes so much more sense to do these things together, rather than play play play with toys and such until it's time to 'get things done'.  Why not do both?  We've incorporated some of the songs we've learned with Lalla in our class and made up some of our own.  I have to say, moving from play into work is pretty smooth sailing! And from my own experience, I see that if he is getting impatient with his work, I just need to focus 100% on him for about 5-10 minutes before he'll keep himself engaged again.  And he's only 2.5!

And since many of you have been asking...
Here's where you can sign up for these classes...
http://www.sfwaldorf.org/programs/earlychildhoodprogram.asp

They have a listing of the current classes, which will end in March.  I think almost all of them will repeat in the Spring.  Keep checking for the new schedule and registration dates.  

Bye-bye sunshine, hello winter rains,

Jessie