School for all Seasons Curriculum and a Giveaway

Today it’s such a great pleasure to bring you news of a wonderful new publication by Donna Ashton called School for all Seasons.

In Donna’s words:

Waldorf with your Preschooler

I remember when my girls turned 4. It was the time when I started researching homeschooling options and wondering if I really could actually “do it.”

Waldorf landed in my lap and I was hooked. It seemed to be everything I wanted for my girls and I was eager to learn more.

For families with 4-6 yr olds, this can be a high pressure time. You are just trying to figure it out and other kids are off to school already learning to read. Your confidence is not yet there as you are going on faith that this approach to holistic education will work. It does!

Waldorf homeschooling doesn’t officially start until 1st grade- 6 1/2-7 yr olds)

So, what do we do with younger kids not yet ready for official school?

We see amazing photos of the Waldorf kindergarten with beautiful wooden toys, kitchen sets, playsilks and painting supplies and think “That’s what I want!”

But, something you may not have realized is that the Waldorf kindergarten is set up to re-create the home. Yes. Read that line again.

So, don’t fall into that circle. Home is already a step ahead. You have a kitchen for chopping and kneading and baking. Your child can participate in keeping up the house by helping fold laundry, dry dishes, plant vegetables. Chores are a wonderful way to let your preschool aged child help maintain the home.

The biggest tip I can give is to let them play. Their job is to play during these early years. The benefits of allowing your child free play are documented everywhere these days.

Exploring nature, climbing, running and “being” is what this age is about.

Yes, you can start creating a rhythm with circle time and stories.

You can sing and dance and play with silks and color.

You can celebrate seasonal festivals.

You an enjoy crafts, finger knitting and very
basic sewing.

Just be patient and let them explore the world through child’s eyes. There will be plenty of time for academics.

Giveaway:

School for all Seasons Curriculum Guide & Training

For moms who need a bit more structure to their days schooling a 4-5-6 yr old.

This pack contains simple steps to creating a “school lesson” with your young child – which means stories, crafts, outdoor play ideas and much more.

Though playing is your child’s main job at this age, you may find getting a rhythm in place and having a base of ideas to draw from highly beneficial (saves time and energy!).

The pack includes:

* 10 month curriculum guide with weekly themes,
* Done-for-you Circle Time including songs you can listen to so you can learn them!
* Plus Bonus training audios that compliment the curriculum
* Bonus video How-to’s on painting, block crayons and storytelling.

Congratulations to: Keenan you have won the School for all Seasons curriculum guide from Donna Ashton!!

Donna is giving away one of these packs described above to one Natural Suburbia reader, to stand a chance to win, please leave a comment. If you would like to earn extra entries, please share on your Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest etc.. and comment here again each time you do for extra entries:)

Donna’s Bio:

Donna Ashton is the founder and CEO of The Waldorf Connection, an online resource that provides workshops, courses, and training for homeschooling families all over the world. She is committed to delivering how-to guidance and support to moms seeking to educate their children in a waldorf-inspired, conscious way.

Donna offers mentoring, advice and resources to thousands of families worldwide. To get started with the very basics of homeschooling with Waldorf, download her Starter Waldorf Homeschool kit.
Her book The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook is a step-by-step introduction into how to homeschooling with Waldorf-inspired methods.

Thank you so much for sponsoring with Natural Suburbia, Donna.